cruel

be cruel to be kind

To be blunt and honest with someone in order to help them realize something that may help them. This phrase expresses the idea that it is sometimes necessary to hurt someone's feelings in order to tell them the truth. I'm not going to sit here and tell Judith that she's a shoo-in when she's clearly not ready for her audition. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
See also: cruel, kind

goodbye, cruel world

cliché An exclamation, note, or statement made immediately prior to one's death, especially by suicide. We felt as though we never had closure after Tom committed suicide. We never even knew he was contemplating taking his own life, and his note merely said "Goodbye, cruel world." The gunslinger lay on the ground, bleeding into the dust. "Goodbye, cruel world," he gasped with his last breath. And with that, he perished.
See also: cruel, world

you have to be cruel to be kind

You must be blunt and honest with someone in order to help them realize something that may help them; it is sometimes necessary to hurt someone's feelings in order to tell them the truth. I'm not going to sit here and tell Judith that she's a shoo-in when she's clearly not ready for her audition. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
See also: cruel, have, kind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

you have to be cruel to be kind

When people say you have to be cruel to be kind, they mean that sometimes if you are unkind to someone it will be the best thing for them. `I have to be cruel to be kind,' said Lindsay. `If I don't control his food, he will eat himself to death.'
See also: cruel, have, kind
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

be cruel to be kind

act towards someone in a way which seems harsh but will ultimately be of benefit.
In Shakespeare 's Hamlet, ‘I must be cruel only to be kind’ was Hamlet's explanation of his reasons for bullying his mother about her second marriage.
See also: cruel, kind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

be ˌcruel to be ˈkind

use unpleasant methods because they are necessary to help somebody: I was worried about Katie getting too involved with Steve so I eventually told her about his drug addiction — you’ve got to be cruel to be kind sometimes. OPPOSITE: kill somebody with kindness
See also: cruel, kind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be cruel to be kind
  • say the word
  • helping
  • lame
  • help a lame dog over a stile
  • help (someone) into (something)
  • help (someone) on
  • help on
  • all hands to the pumps
  • help out with (someone or something)
References in classic literature
Torn and bleeding from many cruel wounds, I lay panting upon the ground within the hollow of the tree, while Tars Tarkas defended the opening from the furious mob without.
And then, from unseen lips, a cruel and mocking peal of laughter rang through the desolate place.
The Gods of Mars
It seemed incredible that one so lovely could yet harbor within her fair bosom a heart so cruel and relentless, and today there was a new expression in her wondrous eyes that I never before had seen there--an unfamiliar softness, and a look of suffering.
A wan smile touched her lips--it was not the cruel and haughty smile of the goddess with which I was familiar.
Warlord of Mars
In every mind was the same thought--O-Tar must lead them at once to the chamber of O-Mai the Cruel, or accept forever the stigma of cowardice, and there could be no coward upon the throne of Manator.
The Chessmen of Mars
When the King saw how pale and sad the gentle face had grown, how thin her robe, and weak her wings, and yet how lovingly the golden shadows fell around her and brightened as they lay upon the wand, which, guided by patient love, had made his once desolate home so bright, he could not be cruel to the one who had done so much for him, and in kindly tone he said,--
And can I, heedless of their beauty, doom them to pain and grief, that I might save my own dear blossoms from the cruel foes to which I leave them?
Long stayed the messenger, and deeper grew his wonder that the Fairy could have left so fair a home, to toil in the dreary palace of his cruel master, and suffer cold and weariness, to give life and joy to the weak and sorrowing.
Flower Fables
In a bid to please Conservative diehards, the Foreign Secretary backed the cruel sport, illegal since 2004.
Hunt on the run for pro-hunting stand
The celebration was organised by the League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid and took place outside the National Assembly before moving on to the University of Wales building in central Cardiff.
Campaigners hit streets to say thank you for stopping cruel shoots
There's a lot of moaning going on with the national touring debut of "Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical" at Chicago's Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place -- and not just from the sexually manipulative main characters.
'Cruel Intentions' musical shoehorns pop hits into the 1999 teen drama
 Some labelled it "cruel" and "disgraceful" and also suggested people who committed the crime to hang themselves, (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3451325/Dog-CRUCIFIED-cruel-mob-laugh-throw-cigarettes-horrible-footage-prompted-calls-FBI-men-filmed-it.html) Daily Mail reported.
Rat Crucified On Wooden Cross For Eating Pet Turtle
Cruel Disease He once was rich But now he's poor, Had lots of money Yet not any more.
Poets' corner
Over cinnamon and talks of myths, the writing witch talked of the flood that one day will bring down the cruel king.
The day the flood came
I pray to Almighty Allah that He may impose a most strict Martial Law government in this State of the Quaid because only that martial law govt can teach a lesson to all most cruel officers of WAPDA.
Yes, it is Islamic Republic