to hit two targets with one arrow

6.8

To do one thing that solves two problems

idiom

: dar en el blanco doblemente

Opening a new store downtown lets the company hit two targets with one arrow: expand business and attract tourists.

Examples

By updating the software, we can hit two targets with one arrow—improve security and speed.
She managed to hit two targets with one arrow by networking and learning new skills at the conference.
She managed to hit two targets with one arrow!
John always finds a way to hit two targets with one arrow.
By updating the software, we can hit two targets with one arrow—improve security and speed.
Opening a new store downtown lets the company hit two targets with one arrow: expand business and attract tourists.
She managed to hit two targets with one arrow by networking and learning new skills at the conference.

Synonyms

kill two birds with one stone

vsto hit two targets with one arrow

Informal

7 3.7

To do two things at once with one action

has the same meaning but uses a different vivid image

Antonyms

to miss the mark

14 5.5

Fail to do what you meant to do

Surface Forms

hit two targets with one arrow infinitive

hit two targets with one arrow past

hit two targets with one arrow past participle

hitting two targets with one arrow present participle

hits two targets with one arrow third person singular

Morphology

hit + two + target + with + one + arrow

The phrase literally composes 'hit' + 'two targets' + 'with one arrow', so a learner who knows the words can infer it means achieving two objectives with a single action; the instrument ('with one arrow') and numerals make the intended inference straightforward. This kind of compact-means metaphor is common across languages, so the meaning is immediately derivable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Hit two targets with one arrow paints a clear picture: an archer shoots a single arrow and it somehow strikes two targets at once. So, the phrase means 'to achieve two goals with one action'.