bird
An animal with feathers and wings that usually lays eggs and can often fly.
A warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal distinguished by feathers, wings, and a beak, most of which can fly.
In British slang, 'bird' means a young woman or girlfriend.
(UK informal) A slang term for a young woman or girlfriend.
'Bird' can mean time spent in prison in British slang.
(UK slang) A prison sentence or time spent in prison.
- Base: bird
- Plural: bird, birds
a bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush)
1Value certainty over risk
It is better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.
- I know you want a bigger job, but remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
- He decided not to sell his business—after all, a bird in the hand...
bird brain
1Unintelligent person (insult)
An insulting way to call someone not smart or foolish.
- Don’t be such a bird brain—you forgot your keys again!
- He’s a nice guy, but a bit of a bird brain.
bird's-eye view
1View from above
A view seen from high above, like from an airplane or tall building.
- From the top of the tower we had a bird's-eye view of the whole city.
- The map gives you a bird’s-eye view of the park.
the early bird catches the worm
1Success comes to those who start early
People who start work or act before others are more likely to get what they want.
- He likes to get to the market at 6 a.m., saying the early bird catches the worm.
- If you want a good seat, remember that the early bird catches the worm.
- She always arrives early to job fairs because the early bird catches the worm.
the early bird catches the worm
2Success from starting early
If you start something early, you have an advantage and are more likely to succeed.
- We should get to the market before 7—the early bird catches the worm.
- She always arrives first; she believes the early bird catches the worm.
kill two birds with one stone
1Achieve two things at once
Do one thing that solves two problems or gives two results at the same time.
- By cycling to work, he kills two birds with one stone: exercise and saving money.
- By visiting my parents and attending the conference, I killed two birds with one stone.
- She killed two birds with one stone by visiting her friend and delivering the package at the same time.
- Cleaning the garage helped me exercise and tidy up—two birds with one stone.
kill two birds with one stone
2Achieve two goals at once
To do two things successfully with one action or effort.
- By visiting my parents on the way to the conference, I killed two birds with one stone.
- She killed two birds with one stone by shopping while waiting for her car to be repaired.