double edge
Cuts both ways
A double edge cuts both ways—literally a blade sharpened on two sides, figuratively something with both benefits and drawbacks.
A double-edged sword helps and harms simultaneously: Social media is a double-edged sword for teenagers.
The phrase emphasizes that advantages come with corresponding risks or costs.
- swordHilted fighting blade
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- razorBlade for removing hair
- knifeSharp cutting utensil
- cutSeverance or reduction
sharp · cuts both ways · risk · calculated risk · paradox · dilemma · tradeoff · mixed blessing · peril · ambivalent · bitter · irony · two-sided · balance · thin margin · danger · precision · sharp tongue