mixed blessing

noun

1. something that, although generally favorable or advantageous, has one or more unfavorable or disadvantageous features.

mixed blessing

noun

1. an event, situation, etc, having both advantages and disadvantages

Word History and Origins

Origin of mixed blessing¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

Something that has both good and bad features, as in Being accepted by the college was a mixed blessing, since she couldn't afford the tuition. [First half of 1900s]