necessary evil
English edit
Pronunciation edit
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Noun edit
necessary evil (plural necessary evils)
- (idiomatic) An unfavorable thing that must be done or accepted, especially because the available alternative courses of action or inaction would be worse.
- Another punishing round of chemo is a necessary evil if Lisa is to have a fighting chance against the cancer.
- My boss is a real piece of work, but my kids make keeping this job a necessary evil.
Translations edit
unfavorable thing that must be done or accepted
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