be cruel to be kind
US /bi kruːəl tu bi kaɪnd/
UK /bi kruːəl tu bi kaɪnd/
1.
친절하기 위해 잔인하다, 매를 들어 가르치다
to do something that causes someone pain or discomfort, but which you believe will ultimately benefit them
:
•
I had to fire him, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
그를 해고해야 했지만, 때로는 친절하기 위해 잔인해야 한다.
•
My parents made me study hard, and while it felt harsh at the time, they were just being cruel to be kind.
부모님은 나에게 열심히 공부하라고 하셨고, 그때는 힘들었지만 그들은 단지 친절하기 위해 잔인했던 것이다.