double-edged sword

[duhb-uhl-ejd sawrd]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sword whose blade has two cutting edges.
This game character wields a wide double-edged sword to slice an enemy in two, armor and all, with brute strength.
something whose desirable effects are necessarily accompanied by undesirable ones.
Studying from home is a double-edged sword—you can roll out of bed at 10 a.m. and attend class in your pajamas, but you can skip class with equal ease.

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-edged sword¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Technology is a double-edged sword,” says Brown.

From

There’s the sort of double-edged sword of that.

From

“It’s a double-edged sword because there’s a certain fragility to it. But at the same time, they’re looking to get out of this funk. They’re in a tough situation so we just have to be ready.”

From

In reality, the dry spring comes as a double-edged sword.

From

Separately, experts also caution that India's calls to overhaul the IMF's funding processes and veto powers could be a double-edged sword.

From

double-edged double-ended

Browse