English

Noun

necessary evil ‎(plural necessary evils)

1. (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

See also

• you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs