double-edged sword
Benefit with drawbacks
A double-edged sword is something that has both benefits and drawbacks—an advantage that also carries risks or costs.
The metaphor comes from a blade that cuts both ways: effective, but potentially dangerous to the wielder.
Social media is a double-edged sword—it connects people but also spreads misinformation.
Fame proved a double-edged sword for the young actor.
Paradoxical no-win situation
- quandaryState of perplexity
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- bindFasten or obligate
impasse · crossroads · paradox · lose-lose
Comparing expenditure to return
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- disadvantageUnfavorable circumstance or condition
- upsideFavorable aspect
- downsideDisadvantage of something
give-and-take · offset · counterbalance · bittersweet · two-sided · reciprocity · exchange · balance
Strong negative reaction
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
- side-effectUnintended secondary outcome
blowback · aftermath · spillover · boomerang · rebound · irony · paradox · comeuppance
Source of potential harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- dangerExposure to harm
- pitfallHidden danger or drawback
vulnerability · exposure · precariousness · jeopardy · threat · liability · uncertainty · volatility
catch-22
Paradoxical no-win situation
- quandaryState of perplexity
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
bind · impasse · crossroads · paradox · lose-lose
cost-benefit
Comparing expenditure to return
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- disadvantageUnfavorable circumstance or condition
- upsideFavorable aspect
downside · give-and-take · offset · counterbalance · bittersweet · two-sided · reciprocity · exchange · balance · tradeoff
backlash
Strong negative reaction
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
side-effect · blowback · aftermath · spillover · boomerang · rebound · irony · paradox · comeuppance
hazard
Source of potential harm
pitfall · vulnerability · exposure · precariousness · jeopardy · threat · liability · uncertainty · volatility · unpredictability
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- trade-offstrade-off, pros and cons, mixed blessing, give and take, two sides
- Justice SymbolsLady Justice, scales, blind justice, blindfold, balance
- consequencesconsequence, consequences, result, results, effect
- swordssabres, longsword, rapier, saber, sabre
- Untrustworthy Thingsbroken promise, fair-weather friend, snake in the grass, wolf in sheep's clothing, two-faced
double-edged swordwin-win
Advantageous to both sides
silver bullet · no-brainer · godsend · slam dunk · sure thing
double-edged swordblack and white
Without middle ground
cut and dried · no strings attached · risk-free · foolproof · harmless