Be a double-edged sword/weapon
idiom
Something has both positive and negative effects.
Technology can be a double-edged sword; it makes our lives easier, but it also makes us too dependent on it
Often appears as...
- be a double-edged sword/weapon
- like a double-edged sword
Usage tips
Idiomatic
idiom
Something has both positive and negative effects.
Technology can be a double-edged sword; it makes our lives easier, but it also makes us too dependent on it
Often appears as...
- be a double-edged sword/weapon
- like a double-edged sword
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Positive and Negative
Emphasize that the phrase highlights the simultaneous good and bad aspects of a situation.
Social media is a double-edged sword; it connects us with friends but also exposes us to cyberbullying.
Pro Tip 2/3Figure of Speech
Understand it's a metaphor and not about a real sword. It means one thing with two contrary effects.
Flexible work hours are a double-edged sword, offering freedom but sometimes leading to less productivity.
Pro Tip 3/3Neutral Tone
The phrase itself is not positive or negative, it's neutral, describing the dual nature of something.
Credit cards can be a double-edged sword, convenient yet potentially debt-inducing.
Pro Tip 1/3Positive and Negative
Emphasize that the phrase highlights the simultaneous good and bad aspects of a situation.
Social media is a double-edged sword; it connects us with friends but also exposes us to cyberbullying.
Pro Tip 2/3Figure of Speech
Understand it's a metaphor and not about a real sword. It means one thing with two contrary effects.
Flexible work hours are a double-edged sword, offering freedom but sometimes leading to less productivity.
Pro Tip 3/3Neutral Tone
The phrase itself is not positive or negative, it's neutral, describing the dual nature of something.
Credit cards can be a double-edged sword, convenient yet potentially debt-inducing.
Pro Tip 1/3Positive and Negative
Emphasize that the phrase highlights the simultaneous good and bad aspects of a situation.
Social media is a double-edged sword; it connects us with friends but also exposes us to cyberbullying.
Pro Tip 2/3Figure of Speech
Understand it's a metaphor and not about a real sword. It means one thing with two contrary effects.
Flexible work hours are a double-edged sword, offering freedom but sometimes leading to less productivity.
Pro Tip 3/3Neutral Tone
The phrase itself is not positive or negative, it's neutral, describing the dual nature of something.
Credit cards can be a double-edged sword, convenient yet potentially debt-inducing.
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