English Explanatory Dictionary

be cruel to be kind

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To act cruelly in order to achieve a positive outcome in the future.

Word forms

be cruel to be kind is cruel to be kind being cruel to be kind was cruel to be kind been cruel to be kind

Etymology

From William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 4: "I must be cruel, only to be kind: / Thus bad begins and worse remains behind."

Related words

tough love treat them mean, keep them keen
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