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

Example Sentences

But this public awareness of ED has been a double-edged sword.

From The Daily Beast

As a tool of social activism, plague functions as a double-edged sword.

From The Daily Beast

It's also a double-edged sword that could hurt local Democrats and Republicans alike.

From The Daily Beast

He can wield energy as a weapon now, but it is already proving a double-edged sword.

From The Daily Beast

Still, Botox injections and facelifts are a double-edged sword.

From The Daily Beast

It cut Ruby as a double edged sword, for she understood that he cared well enough that way—æsthetically.

From Project Gutenberg

But this means proved to be a double-edged sword that turned against the very people it was intended to benefit.

From Project Gutenberg

The long cut-and-thrust sword is not uncommon, and also the khanda or double-edged sword.

From Project Gutenberg

It is described by Dr. Agnew, the surgeon, as "a double-edged sword, cutting either way for good or for evil."

From Project Gutenberg

In the dining hall, too, is preserved an ancient cross-bow, and a large two-handed double-edged sword about five feet in length.

From Project Gutenberg