Can anyone pls explain to me the idom " A sword that cuts two ways"? Thank you!!!?

Question

Can anyone pls explain to me the idom " A sword that cuts two ways"? Thank you!!!?

Answer 1

The phrase is used to point out that a particular fact can be good or bad, or that it harms both sides equally.  

Take the weather at a sporting event.  Rain will make it difficult for your opponent to run their usual plays, but (being a sword that cuts two ways), it makes it difficult for your team, too.

Answer 2

Be careful, for any wound you inflict upon your enemy, you may inflict upon yourself

Answer 3

That is when someone makes a proposal that would seem to inconvenience someone else and then realizes it inconveniences them too - such as, let's allow random search and seizure so the police can get all the illegal guns off the street - all in favor?  Suddenly everyone has to stop and think, gee, do I have any dope in my car?  Cause I can be randomly searched too if we pass this ...

That would be a classic double-edged sword.

Also, sometimes someone will call for honesty - Ok, no more ... whatever - logging other employees out early or something.  Well ok, but then that means YOU can't do YOUR little dishonesty either ...

A double-edged sword.

Answer 4

ahh depends on the context. im guessing it makes references on how versatile someone can be?

Answer 5

it means something has a double effect, works on both ways. doing something in good faith, and yet it still has its bad effects. and vice versa--doing something with bad intentions, and there is still a good side to it.

Answer 6

Be careful of what you use on your opponents because it may also be used on you.