A necessary evil

usgb
phrase

Something bad or unpleasant that has to be accepted in order to achieve a particular result.

Many people believe that taxes are a necessary evil.
Visual representation of "a necessary evil" - Something bad or unpleasant that has to be accepted in order to achieve a particular result

Often appears as...

  • viewed as a necessary evil
  • seen as a necessary evil

Usage tips

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "a necessary evil"
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Negative Connotation

Implies something is unfavorable but tolerated for a greater good or necessary outcome.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Though she dislikes dieting, she sees it as a necessary evil to improve her health.
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Colloquial Use

Commonly used in spoken and informal written English, rather than formal or academic texts.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
They see studying grammar as a necessary evil of learning a new language.
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Contextual Understanding

Understanding the specific situation or outcome is crucial when using the phrase to avoid misinterpretation.

Illustration for Contextual Understanding
In the context of cybersecurity, constant updates are a necessary evil to prevent breaches.
Visual representation of the word "A necessary evil"

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