a blessing and a curse en · NOUN
Etymology
From the King James translation of Deuteronomy 11:26 (Behold, I set before you this day, a blessing and a curse.).
Meanings
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(no-plural) Something that is simultaneously a benefit and a burden, or that may seem initially beneficial but also brings unforeseen negative consequences.
On the whole the Contrabando was both a blessing and a curse; it was a blessing and a great benefit in that it brought the necessities of life to the people, but a curse in that it was training them in intrigue, because the contrabandistas often resorted to piracy along the sequestered coasts and on the open seas; they would sell their commodities to the people, then turn around and loot the cattle and hogs in the fields.
1940, Olive G. Gibson, The Isle of a Hundred Harbors, B. Humphries, Incorporated, page 204:What is that which is a friend and an enemy, a blessing and a curse, which saves life and takes it away; is long and short, round and square, rough and smooth, straight and crooked, hard and soft, hot and cold, and most wanted when it is in greatest plenty; which accommodates itself to all palates; is sweet and of bad smell, strong and weak; sometimes able to bear great burdens, but at other times will not bear a pin.
1835, The London Riddler; or, The Art of Teasing Made Easy:
Relateds
mixed blessing · double-edged sword · a boon and a bane
Translations (11)
pt uma bênção e uma maldição (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · cs požehnání i prokletí (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · cmn 也是坏事 (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · cmn 既是好事，也是壞事 /既是好事 (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · cmn 焉知非福 (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · pl miecz obosieczny (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · de Fluch und Segen (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · cmn 塞翁失馬，焉知非福 /塞翁失马 (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · cs požehnání a prokletí (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · fi sekä siunaus että kirous (something that is both a benefit and a burden) · de Segen und Fluch (something that is both a benefit and a burden)