Learn English – ny saying or idiom to describe the opposite of “blessing in disguise”

idiomspopular-refrains

Something that looks like a good thing at first, but has unforeseen bad consequences.

For instance, while irrigation schemes provide people with water for agriculture, they can increase waterborne diseases that have devastating health effects, such as schistosomiasis. (From wikipedia)


Major edit in body to provide a better example as requested in the comments. Saeid, please let us know if you disagree and this conflicts with your intent. -T.R.

Best Answer

In certain contexts, a poisoned chalice works.

An assignment, award, or honour which is likely to prove a disadvantage or source of problems to the recipient: "many thought the new minister had been handed a poisoned chalice" (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/poisoned-chalice)

When something is a curse in disguise (in the disguise of a blessing), you can also simply say that something is more of a curse than a blessing.