necessary evil

Definitions

An unfavorable thing that must be done or accepted, especially because the available alternative courses of action or inaction would be worse.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“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.”

“Architecturally the stations of the Tonbridge-Hastings line are of great interest⟳. Wadhurst, Robertsbridge and Stonegate are of simple Italinate^([sic]) style, unspoiled by that necessary evil of a platform awning.”

“But today, with more lineside furniture and infrastructure, the potential for problems to arise⟳ is greater. The impact of clearing overgrown greenery is a necessary evil that must be tackled - for a variety of reasons.”

CEFR level