be cruel to be kind
US /bi kruːəl tu bi kaɪnd/
UK /bi kruːəl tu bi kaɪnd/
1.
grausam sein, um gütig zu sein, streng sein, um zu helfen
to do something that causes someone pain or discomfort, but which you believe will ultimately benefit them
:
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I had to fire him, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
Ich musste ihn entlassen, aber manchmal muss man grausam sein, um gütig zu sein.
•
My parents made me study hard, and while it felt harsh at the time, they were just being cruel to be kind.
Meine Eltern ließen mich hart lernen, und obwohl es sich damals hart anfühlte, waren sie nur grausam, um gütig zu sein.