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REFERENCE

be cruel to be kind

idiom

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


Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    cruel mistress

    Something which has both significant positive and negative aspects.

  2. 02

    in kind

    In a reciprocal manner; in a similar way; in the same kind.

  3. 03

    kind of

    Slightly; somewhat; sort of.

  4. 04

    kind regards

    Used as a polite closing of a letter.

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