chase two rabbits —(also: run after two hares) try to fulfill two goals at the same time (with the implication that a person will not succeed in either one):
- Japanese managers are forced to “chase two rabbits,” that is, Western governance and Japanese honor.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make two bites of a cherry—(also: take two bites of a cherry) take two turns to accomplish smth. which could be performed in one operation:
- To announce then all I am announcing now seemed unwise and we remembered the adage against making two bites of a cherry.
kill two birds with one stone—accomplish two objectives with a single action:
- If we can get gas and have lunch at the next rest stop, we will be killing two birds with one stone.