double-edged sword

American  

[duhb-uhl-ejd sawrd] / ˈdʌb əlˈɛdʒd ˈsɔrd /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of double-edged sword

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

This means that virtual communication is a double-edged sword.

From The Wall Street Journal

Popularity on Wall Street is a double-edged sword.

From MarketWatch

"France have got that double-edged sword of physicality up front and the ball-playing ability out wide," said the former flanker.

From BBC

For him, higher beef prices have been a double-edged sword.

From Barron's

Savannah Guthrie's fame has proved to be a double-edged sword.

From BBC