What's "a blessing and a curse" mean? When can this expression be used?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

If something is a "blessing and a curse," it means it is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. It has positive and negative sides to it for different reasons. You can use it when you want to express that something has positive and negative effects. Ex: Visiting my parents for the weekend is a blessing a curse. It means I get to have homemade food, but it also means I don't have much privacy. Ex: Money is a blessing and a curse. It can help you live well, but it can also tempt you to make poor choices.

How do native speakers use this expression?

Share this post

Popular Q&As

12/07

1
When could I use "stunning"? also could you give me some synonyms, please?
"Stunning" means beautiful, incredible, gorgeous, or remarkable. You can use stunning when you want to express that someone or something looks beautiful or remarkable. Ex: She looks stunning! Ex: That dress looks absolutely stunning on you. Ex: I want to look stunning for my wedding.

2
How does the meaning change if I say "people dye from ~" instead of "people are dying from"?
First off, it needs to be "die," not "dye." The spelling of the word actually changes the meaning. The difference between "people die from" and "people are dying from" is one is generalized, and one is specific. "People die from" is more generalized; that it's being stated more as a fact instead of a current situation. "People are dying" indicates that people in China are mainly dying of a stroke. This is very specific and is currently happening.

3
What does "wild" mean in this context?
In this context, "wild" is slang that means excellent, special, or unusual. It's similar to the common slang "crazy!" It can also be used as an alternative to "crazy." Ex: It's wild that you're arriving tomorrow. I'm excited to see you! Ex: I didn't know the restaurant fired you. That's wild. What are you going to do now? Ex: Wild! They have the latest phone model here.

4
What's "on our own" mean?
To do something "on one's own" means to do it without help or assistance from anyone else. You do it "by yourself." So "on our own" involves only those people and no one else. Ex: Jack and I will go on our own to the market. Ex: We don't need a professional. We'll paint the house on our own. = We don't need a professional. We'll paint the house ourselves.

5
What does "get caught up in" mean?
To get "caught up" in something in this context means to become so focused on what you're doing or so excited about something that you are oblivious and not paying attention to anything else. Ex: Don't get too caught up on that idea. It might change. Ex: I got so caught up in my homework that I forgot to eat dinner!

Complete the expression with a quiz!