
IdiomNature
Indonesian
Sambil menyelam minum air
Meaning: To accomplish two things in one go.
Literally: While diving, drink water
Example: “Saya ke Bali untuk kerja sambil liburan; sambil menyelam minum air.” — I went to Bali for work and a vacation: two birds with one stone.
English equivalent: To kill two birds with one stone
Origin: "While diving, drink water": doing two things in a single action. The Indonesian peribahasa is the counterpart of "kill two birds with one stone." No particular story lies behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
Korean: 꿩 먹고 알 먹고 (Kkwong meokgo al meokgo) Literally: Eating the pheasant and its egg too
French: Faire d'une pierre deux coups Literally: To make two blows with one stone
Italian: Prendere due piccioni con una fava Literally: To catch two pigeons with one fava bean
Chinese: 一箭双雕 (Yī jiàn shuāng diāo) Literally: One arrow, two hawksEnglish: kill two birds with one stone
Spanish: Matar dos pájaros de un tiro Literally: To kill two birds with one shot
Japanese: 一石二鳥 (Isseki nichō) Literally: One stone, two birds
German: Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen Literally: To swat two flies with one swatter
Dutch: Twee vliegen in één klap slaan Literally: To swat two flies in one blow
Polish: Upiec dwie pieczenie na jednym ogniu Literally: To roast two roasts on one fire
Portuguese: Matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só Literally: To kill two rabbits with one blow of the stick
Turkish: Bir taşla iki kuş vurmak Literally: To hit two birds with one stone
More Indonesian idioms
- Tong kosong nyaring bunyinya Those who know the least often talk the most.
- Besar pasak daripada tiang To spend more than you earn.
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