double-edged sword

[duhb-uhl-ejd sawrd]

noun

1. a sword whose blade has two cutting edges.

   This game character wields a wide double-edged sword to slice an enemy in two, armor and all, with brute strength.

2. something whose desirable effects are necessarily accompanied by undesirable ones.

   Studying from home is a double-edged sword—you can roll out of bed at 10 a.m. and attend class in your pajamas, but you can skip class with equal ease.

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-edged sword¹

First recorded in 1580–90