Learn English – Which word or phrase describes a situation where the answer is both a pro and a con

phrasessingle-word-requestsword-choice

Sometimes when people are enumerating the good and bad aspects of something, the same thing comes up in both the pros and cons. For example, a certain policy may be considered good because it benefits the rich; however, this same policy may also be considered bad because it benefits the rich.

What word or phrase refers to such a situation?

Best Answer

You can argue such a situation (or policy) both ways.

There is more than one way of looking at it.

The outcome could go either way.

It might be a compromise decision or policy that could lead to unintended consequences.

The decision rests on a value judgment.