double-edged sword

English

Etymology

from the notion that two sides of the same blade are sharp; it cuts both ways. It's origin is from the same Arabic expression (سيف ذو حدين) sayf zou hadayn which translates to double-edged sword. Not to be confused with a double ended sword.

Noun

double-edged sword (plural double-edged swords)

1. (idiomatic) A benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.

Synonyms

• two-edged sword

Translations

idiomatic

Arabic: ذا حدين (ar) (za hadain) m. Chinese: 双刃剑 (a double-edged sword) Czech: dvousečný meč (cs) m. (a double-edged sword) Danish: tveægget sværd (da) n. Dutch: tweesnijdend zwaard (nl) n. French: arme à double tranchant (fr) f. German: zweischneidiges Schwert (de) n. Italian: arma a doppio taglio (it) f.

Japanese: 諸刃の剣 (a double-edged sword) Korean: 양날의 검 (a double-edged sword) Malay: serampang dua mata (ms) Polish: miecz obosieczny (pl) m. Russian: палка о двух концах (a stick with two ends) Spanish: arma de doble filo (a double-edged weapon), arma de dos filos (es) f. (a double-edged weapon) Swedish: tveeggat svärd (sv) n.

See also

• Midas