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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Another string to your bow

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

An additional skill, interest or resource that gives you another useful option.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. Learning basic design gave me another string to my bow.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

An additional skill, interest or resource that gives you another useful option.
Show the answer

Another string to your bow — An additional skill, interest or resource that gives you another useful option.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Another string to your bow” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

An additional skill, interest or resource that gives you another useful option.

Compare: Learning basic design gave me another string to my bow.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this UK expression for adding to your abilities or alternatives. It suits career, study and hobby conversations.

More examples in context

  • Her teaching certificate is another string to her bow when she applies for work.
  • The new recording equipment gives the club another string to its bow.

Usage note

Change your to match the person or group. You can also say “more than one string to your bow” to emphasise having several useful options.

A short conversation

A: Why are you taking the audio-editing course?
B: It will give me another string to my bow when I help with events.
A: That could be useful for the next exhibition.

One more practice question

What gives someone another string to their bow?

A. Learning a useful additional skill.
B. Losing every existing skill and option.

Check your answer

A. The person gains another ability or resource to draw on.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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