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Bärendienst — meaning in English

German → English · translate English → German instead

English meaning

  • disservice noun An action that causes harm, especially one that was meant or expected to help.

Senses

Bärendienst is used for these senses in English:

  • disservice Service that results in harm; an (intentionally or unintentionally) unhelpful, harmful action.
  • poisoned chalice (idiomatic) Something which is initially regarded as advantageous but which is later recognized to be disadvantageous or harmful; an apparently beneficial or benign instrument or scheme for causing death or harm.

Related German words