a double-edged-sword

USAGE SUMMARY

"a double-edged sword" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or decision that has both positive and negative consequences. For example, "Social media can be a double-edged sword, connecting people while also spreading misinformation." Alternative expressions include "a mixed blessing," "a double-edged blade," and "a two-sided coin."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

David Dewhurst's Budget A Double-Edged Sword In Texas Senate Campaign [Houston Chronicle].

Huffington Post

"It's a double-edge sword," Ganis said.

The New York Times - Sports

Professional integrity can indeed be a double-edge sword.

The New York Times - Health

It's a double edged sword you see," she said.

The New York Times

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) originating from the metabolism of molecular oxygen are a double-edge sword.

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry

It is a double edged sword that most of these technologies receive military funding.

Columbia University

ELECTRONIC technology can be a double-edge sword, as Ford might attest after recent close shaves.

The New York Times

But the advent of social media is a double edged-sword.

The Guardian

Addressing the challenge facing midwifery education is, perhaps, a double-edge sword.

The Guardian

But remember public presence and media or government attention is a double edged sword.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a double edge sword – you want GVL without the GVHD, but unfortunately the two go and-in-hand.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this idiom specifically when you want to emphasize that the exact same feature or action that produces a positive result also directly causes a negative one.

Common error

Writers often incorrectly add a hyphen between 'edged' and 'sword'. While 'double-edged' requires a hyphen because it is a compound adjective modifying the noun, 'sword' is the noun itself and should remain a separate word.

Linguistic Context

In Ludwig, the phrase "a double-edged-sword" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase. It identifies a subject that possesses inherently contradictory qualities. Grammatically, it consists of a compound adjective modifying a noun, though the user's hyphenation of the entire string is an idiosyncratic variation of the standard idiom.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a double-edged-sword" is a powerful linguistic tool for describing the inherent risks that accompany benefits. According to Ludwig AI, the standard spelling is actually "a double-edged sword", without the final hyphen. The phrase is ubiquitous in professional writing, from discussions about economic policy to biomedical research. While it is technically correct and widely understood, writers should be careful not to overuse it, as it can occasionally border on cliché. When accuracy is paramount, ensure the hyphen is placed only between 'double' and 'edged' to maintain a professional standard.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mixed blessing

emphasizes that while a situation is largely positive, it comes with unavoidable drawbacks

a blessing and a curse

provides a more dramatic emotional contrast between the benefits and the burdens

a two-edged sword

uses a slightly older but synonymous variation of the primary idiom

a double-edged blade

substitutes the weapon type while maintaining the same sharp metaphorical imagery

a trade-off

removes the metaphor to describe a situation where one quality must be lost to gain another

a two-sided coin

shifts the imagery from a dangerous weapon to the different aspects of a single concept

a catch-22

implies a paradoxical situation where one cannot escape due to contradictory rules

a necessary evil

suggests that the negative aspect is something that must be tolerated for a greater good

a bitter-sweet situation

focuses more on the emotional response of feeling both happy and sad simultaneously

a poisoned chalice

implies something that looks attractive at first but is ultimately destructive

FAQs

Which is correct, "a double-edged-sword" or "a double-edged sword"?

The standard form is "a double-edged sword". You should hyphenate the adjective but keep the noun separate.

What can I say instead of "a double-edged-sword"?

You can use phrases like "a mixed blessing", "a two-sided coin" or "a blessing and a curse".

Can I use "double-edged sword" in academic writing?

Yes, it is widely accepted in academic and scientific contexts as shown by Ludwig, particularly when describing technologies or biological processes that have both therapeutic and toxic effects.

Is "double edged" always hyphenated?

When it appears before a noun like "sword", it should be hyphenated as "double-edged". If it follows a verb, the hyphen is often omitted.