necessary evil
US /ˈnɛs.əˌser.i ˈiː.vəl/
UK /ˈnɛs.əˌser.i ˈiː.vəl/
1.
必要之惡, 不得已而為之的壞事
something unpleasant that must be accepted or done in order to achieve a particular result
:
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Paying taxes is a necessary evil if we want public services.
如果我們想要公共服務，納稅是必要的惡。
•
For some, working long hours is a necessary evil to achieve financial stability.
對一些人來說，長時間工作是實現財務穩定的必要之惡。