WordValea double-edged sword
something with both good and bad effects
In more detail
(idiom) something that has both good and bad consequences; something that can help you but also harm you in equal measure
Examples
- Social media is a double-edged sword—it connects people but also causes anxiety and addiction.
How to use a double-edged sword
This idiom describes situations where an apparent advantage carries significant drawbacks, or where benefits and harms are roughly balanced. It is commonly used in discussions of technology, policy, relationships, and career decisions. The tone is typically analytical or cautionary, suggesting careful consideration is needed rather than simple enthusiasm or dismissal.
Common phrases
- be a double-edged sword
- prove to be a double-edged sword
- act as a double-edged sword
- cut both ways
- sword cuts both ways
Synonyms
mixed blessing · double whammy · a catch-22 · two-sided coin · a trade-off
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use this to mean something entirely negative or entirely positive, rather than something with genuinely mixed or balanced consequences.
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