GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) | ||||||
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20:56 Jul 31, 2007 |
French to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc. / police, security | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 07:21 | ||||||
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Summary of answers provided | ||||
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5 +3 | double-edged sword |
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4 +1 | double-edged sword |
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4 +1 | which cuts both ways |
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4 | two-edged |
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1 +1 | double-edged knife |
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2 -1 | sword of Damocles |
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Discussion entries: 3 | |
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two-edged Explanation: two-edged: having two edges; especially (of a sword, axe, ec.), having two cutting edges (OED definition) (also the figurative "two-edged sword," of course) |
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double-edged sword Explanation: More context would be helpful as Juliebarba already mentioned, but : Wikipedia "The term double-edged sword can be used as an expression for anything that can simultaneously help and hinder, as when in swordfighting a person can ..." IMHO this is more idiomatic than double-edged knife Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword |
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double-edged sword Explanation: This is the most common expression -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 24 mins (2007-07-31 21:21:13 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- I imagine you want the figurative use in your security context eg a proposed reform could make things worse in some ways whilst improving them in others -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 30 mins (2007-07-31 21:27:56 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- If the context refers literally to an instrument that cuts on both sides, then I personally prefer double-bladed instrument/arm/weapon/etc, simply to avoid any confusion with the figurative use. Mind you, maybe you'd be better off deliberately clouding the issue ... |
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