Word for a thing with positive and negative consequences

Question

What word can I use for a thing with positive and negative consequences? For example, taking a cab rather than driving has its advantages and disadvantages.

possible duplicate of Is there an idiom that conveys the meaning of the French “mi figue mi raisin”? — James Waldby - jwpat7, May 22 '12 at 03:01
Also see Proverb or expression for a situation with two choices both leading to a different kind of trouble, — James Waldby - jwpat7, May 22 '12 at 03:02

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered May 22 '12 at 02:37

7

I'm not sure of a single word. You might use the phrase double-edged sword, e.g.

Taking a cab is a double-edged sword. You don't have to worry about parking, but it is more expensive.

answered May 22 '12 at 02:37

Cameron

7,140

score 4 · Answer 2 · edited May 22 '12 at 02:30

For intermingled positive and negative emotions, I would use bittersweet. Clearly though, the phrase "taking a cab is bittersweet" doesn't really hit the mark, unless you're discussing the conflict of leaving vs going. The best I can come up with is "taking a cab rather than driving has mixed/conflicting/divergent consequences." I'll think more though, those still feel off the mark to me.

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 04 '16 at 22:29

3

Mixed bag:

one having both positive and negative qualities or aspects

Also spelled mixed-bag, to meet the single word criterion.

answered Jan 04 '16 at 22:29

jimm101

10,753

I like both mix-bag and toss-up for declaring that something has positive and negative consequences. Any idea of a single word to use to refer to the actual consequences (the things in the mixed-bag)? – ow3n Dec 02 '17 at 11:32

score 3 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

3

If you're saying that two things have the same chances they will turn out well, or both are equally appealing choices, you can call it a toss-up.

"Should we take a cab or drive?"

"A cab sounds expensive, but I'm really tired. It's a toss-up."

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

1

answered May 22 '12 at 02:43

Paul Richter

3,008

score -1 · Answer 5 · edited May 04 '17 at 07:49

-1

Dichotomy - when presented with the choices

Merriam-Webster defines Dichotomy as

something with seemingly contradictory qualities it's a dichotomy, this opulent Ritz-style luxury in a place that fronts on a

So in the current example, it could be used such as

Driving is a dichotomy with increased comfort but long term disadvantages.

edited May 04 '17 at 07:49

Bhoomika Arora

2,066

answered May 03 '17 at 23:28

aileen

1

Word for a thing with positive and negative consequences

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