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

That’s a double-edged sword, good in the sense that business trends are strong, but worrisome that the bar is already so high.

Read more on Barron's

“Having student-loan debt is kind of a double-edged sword,” said Tyler Bond, research director at the institute.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But, fellow Declutter Hub co-founder Lesley Spellman warns that the lure of upselling can be a double-edged sword.

Read more on BBC

"It was like a double-edged sword," said Jo.

Read more on BBC

Fame outside of racing can be a double-edged sword in the high-cost world of NASCAR.

Read more on Los Angeles Times