to be cruel to be kind
01
to say or do something with the intention of helping someone even though it might hurt their feelings or seem unkind
![to [be] cruel to be kind definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/44506/original/?type=jpeg "to [be] cruel to be kind definition and meaning")
Idiom
Informal
例子
The parents decided to be cruel to be kind and enforce strict rules on their teenager to ensure they learned discipline and responsibility.
The coach was tough on the team, pushing them to their limits in training, but it was all in an effort to be cruel to be kind and help them achieve their full potential.
