虻蜂取らず

Meaning

1. exp
   attempting two tasks at the same time, accomplishing neither; falling between two stools; catching neither the horsefly nor the bee

Example sentences

• そんなに欲をかいていると、虻蜂取らずになっちゃうよ。

  Don't be so greedy or you'll wind up with nothing.

• その提案一石二鳥を狙ったものだろうけど、「虻蜂とらず」にならなければいいけどね。

  That proposal may be a way to kill two birds with one stone, but we also have to be careful not to get greedy and spoil everything.