give with one hand and take away with the other

English

Verb

give with one hand and take away with the other (third-person singular simple present gives with one hand and takes away with the other, present participle giving with one hand and taking away with the other, simple past gave with one hand and took away with the other, past participle given with one hand and taken away with the other)

1. To help in one way but proceed to harm in another.
   • 2021, Edwards v. Vannoy (U.S. Supreme Court No. 19–5807), Justice Kagan dissenting:

     Taking with one hand what it gave with the other, the Court curtails Ramos's effects by expunging Teague's provision for watershed rules.

Further reading

• “give with one hand and take away with the other”, in Collins English Dictionary.