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double-edged sword

A benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but not-so-obvious cost or risk.

Etymology:

  • From the notion that if two sides of the same blade are sharp, it cuts both ways. The metaphor may have originated from the Arabic expression سَيْف ذُو حَدَيْن. In the Bible, the word of God is described as being sharper than a double-edged sword.
  • The metaphor is first attested to in English in the 15th century. It is not to be confused with a double-ended sword.
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Submitted on July 10, 2018

Additional definitions for 'double-edged sword':

double-edged swordA benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.
double-edged swordUsed other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see double-edged,‎ sword.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to double-edged sword

double or nothingdouble upon the doubledouble overOn the Doubledouble vertical lineHE-double-toothpicksdouble takerfall on one's swordfall on one's sworddouble rainbow babydouble talkput to the sworddouble talk

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