Signification
A situation that has both positive and negative consequences.
Contexte culturel
In Turkish news, this phrase is the 'go-to' headline for any economic policy. If the Central Bank raises interest rates, you will almost certainly see a headline saying 'Faiz Kararı: İki Ucu Keskin Bıçak'. The legendary singer Sezen Aksu has a famous song titled 'İki Ucu Keskin Bıçak'. It describes the pain and beauty of love, cementing the phrase in the collective emotional memory of the nation. Using this phrase in a Turkish business meeting shows that you are not 'saf' (naive). It signals that you have considered the 'risk yönetimi' (risk management) aspect of a deal. Turkish parents often use this to warn children about the internet or certain friendships. It's a way of saying 'I trust you, but I don't trust the situation.'
Use with 'Açısından'
This idiom works perfectly with the word 'açısından' (in terms of). For example: 'Maliyet açısından iki ucu keskin bıçak.'
Don't over-conjugate
Keep the phrase as a single unit. Avoid putting suffixes on 'iki' or 'keskin'.
Signification
A situation that has both positive and negative consequences.
Use with 'Açısından'
This idiom works perfectly with the word 'açısından' (in terms of). For example: 'Maliyet açısından iki ucu keskin bıçak.'
Don't over-conjugate
Keep the phrase as a single unit. Avoid putting suffixes on 'iki' or 'keskin'.
The 'Gibi' Trick
If you are unsure of the grammar, just add 'gibi' at the end. It makes the idiom a simple comparison and is always correct.
The Sezen Aksu Reference
If you mention the Sezen Aksu song while using this phrase, Turks will be very impressed with your cultural knowledge!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Yeni teknoloji harika ama veri gizliliği açısından iki ___ keskin ___.
The standard idiom is 'iki ucu keskin bıçak'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'iki ucu keskin bıçak'?
Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisi bu deyimle tarif edilebilir?
Option C presents a clear trade-off: a high benefit (salary) vs. a significant drawback (distance from family).
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
Ayşe: 'Sence bu projeye girmeli miyiz?' Mehmet: 'Bilmiyorum Ayşe, bu proje ______.'
In this context, the idiom acts as the predicate of the sentence, so the base form with the copula '-tır' (optional) is correct.
Match the idiom to the correct warning.
Neden 'iki ucu keskin bıçak' diyoruz?
The idiom specifically highlights the dual nature of a situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Bıçak vs. Değnek
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesYeni teknoloji harika ama veri gizliliği açısından iki ___ keskin ___.
The standard idiom is 'iki ucu keskin bıçak'.
Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisi bu deyimle tarif edilebilir?
Option C presents a clear trade-off: a high benefit (salary) vs. a significant drawback (distance from family).
Ayşe: 'Sence bu projeye girmeli miyiz?' Mehmet: 'Bilmiyorum Ayşe, bu proje ______.'
In this context, the idiom acts as the predicate of the sentence, so the base form with the copula '-tır' (optional) is correct.
Neden 'iki ucu keskin bıçak' diyoruz?
The idiom specifically highlights the dual nature of a situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, you can describe a person as 'iki ucu keskin bıçak' if they are very talented but also very difficult to manage.
It is always 'iki ucu'. 'Uclu' means 'having ends', but the idiom uses the possessive 'its ends'.
Not necessarily. It is a 'cautionary' idiom. It acknowledges that there is a positive side, but warns you to be careful.
No, that would not make sense. The 'two' refers to the two opposing outcomes.
The verb 'olmak' (to be) is the most common. 'Bu durum iki ucu keskin bıçak oldu.'
Yes, it is very common in academic and journalistic writing to describe complex problems.
'Riskli' just means dangerous. 'İki ucu keskin bıçak' implies that the danger is inseparable from the benefit.
It's better for significant things. Using it for 'which socks to wear' would sound sarcastic.
Rarely. You wouldn't say 'iki ucu keskin bıçaklar' unless you are literally talking about multiple knives.
Sometimes people just say 'keskin bıçak', but it loses the 'double-edged' nuance.
The direct equivalent is 'a double-edged sword'.
Not typically. It's too 'literary' for street slang, but common in 'white-collar' slang.
Expressions liées
iki tarafı keskin kılıç
synonymDouble-edged sword
kaş yaparken göz çıkarmak
similarTo cause total damage while trying to do a small favor
aşağı tükürsen sakal, yukarı tükürsen bıyık
similarCaught between a rock and a hard place
ateşle oynamak
builds onTo play with fire
hem nalına hem mıhına
contrastTo support both sides of an argument
