a double-edged sword
Meaning: Something with both good and bad consequences.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Working from home is a double-edged sword: more freedom, less company.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A blade sharpened on both sides can cut the person wielding it. The image is old, appearing in the Bible as a two-edged sword; the figurative use is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Spanish: arma de doble filo — literally: weapon of double blade
More idioms — Daily Life
- blow the lid off — To expose a scandal or secret.
- be ahead of the game — To be in a better position than one's rivals.
- there are no two ways about it — The matter admits no doubt or alternative.
- a dime a dozen — So common as to be worth very little.
- fire the starting gun — To signal the official start of something.
- come what may — Whatever happens.
More English idioms
- get out of hand — To become impossible to control.
- bang one's head against a brick wall — To keep trying something with no result.
- have a whale of a time — To enjoy oneself enormously.
- get off on the right foot — To make a good start.
- turn one's back on someone — To abandon or refuse to help someone.
- have plenty left in the tank — To still have energy or resources in reserve.