two-edged sword
A 'two-edged sword' often refers to situations or tools that can have both beneficial and harmful effects.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)A situation or decision that has both positive and negative consequences.
Example
- The internet is a two-edged sword; it provides vast information but can also spread misinformation.
B2General
(idiomatic)A tool or resource that can be beneficial in some ways but harmful in others.
Example
- Social media is a two-edged sword, offering connectivity but also leading to privacy concerns.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "two-edged sword":
double-edged sworddual-edged swordcut both waystwo swordslive by the sword, die by the swordflaming swordcross swordstwo sides of the same coin