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arma de doble filo

Meaning: something that has both positive and negative consequences, or can harm the user as easily as the opponent.

Language: Spanish

Literally: weapon of double blade

Category: Daily Life

Origin: A weapon with two sharp edges cuts whoever wields it as readily as it cuts the enemy.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • tirar de la manta — to reveal a secret or expose something hidden; to blow the lid off a situation.
  • poner el broche de oro — To add a final, perfect touch that completes or perfects something.
  • correrse una juerga — To live wildly or indulge in a bout of revelry and excess.
  • llevar la delantera — To be ahead of others; to hold a lead or advantage.
  • no tener vuelta de hoja — To be conclusive and beyond dispute; to admit no alternative interpretation.
  • dar el pistoletazo de salida — To officially begin or launch something.

More Spanish idioms

  • irse de las manos — To spiral beyond control; to become unmanageable or chaotic.
  • a montones — In vast quantities; abundantly available and unremarkable.
  • a ojo — By rough estimate or visual judgment, without precision.
  • vérsele el plumero — Someone's true nature or hidden faults become glaringly visible.
  • salga el sol por donde quiera — It does not matter what happens or what difficulties arise; one will accept whatever come…
  • darse de cabezadas — To struggle uselessly against an impossible problem or obstacle.

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