TERMIUM Plus®
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ARME DEUX TRANCHANTS [2 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 1996-02-07
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Translation (General)
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- two-edged sword
1, record 1, English, two%2Dedged%20sword
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- double-edged sword 2, record 1, English, double%2Dedged%20sword
proposal
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
... levees are two-edged swords: when a flood overtops them, they turn into dams, trapping water on the very land they were built to keep dry. In short, flood-control structures eradicate small floods at the risk of making big floods bigger, and when they fail, they fail spectacularly. 1, record 1, English, - two%2Dedged%20sword
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
double-edged: having a dual purpose or effect. 3, record 1, English, - two%2Dedged%20sword
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Traduction (Généralités)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- arme à deux tranchants
1, record 1, French, arme%20%C3%A0%20deux%20tranchants
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- arme à double tranchant 1, record 1, French, arme%20%C3%A0%20double%20tranchant
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
À double tranchant : se dit d'un moyen qui peut avoir deux effets contraires. 2, record 1, French, - arme%20%C3%A0%20deux%20tranchants
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 1994-08-11
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Management Operations (General)
- Translation (General)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- double-edged sword
1, record 2, English, double%2Dedged%20sword
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Some see technology as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, its introduction can lead to job losses as increased productivity makes it possible to do more with fewer people. On the other, creating a technologically sophisticated business environment is a way to create jobs by attracting and retaining international investment. 1, record 2, English, - double%2Dedged%20sword
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Opérations de la gestion (Généralités)
- Traduction (Généralités)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- arme à double tranchant
1, record 2, French, arme%20%C3%A0%20double%20tranchant
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- arme à deux tranchants 1, record 2, French, arme%20%C3%A0%20deux%20tranchants
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
À double tranchant se dit d'un argument, d'un procédé dont l'emploi peut provoquer des effets opposés et se retourner contre la personne qui les emploie. 2, record 2, French, - arme%20%C3%A0%20double%20tranchant
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
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