a necessary evil
Also found in: Acronyms.
necessary evil
Something bad that must exist or occur in order for something good to happen. These days, student loans are a necessary evil in order to get an education that leads to a well-paying job. Some view dictators as a necessary evil who keep the region stable by suppressing more radical elements.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
a necessary evil
COMMON If you describe something as a necessary evil, you mean that although it is unpleasant, it is needed. He viewed war as a necessary evil. Managers sometimes think that training is a necessary evil that has to be done but is too expensive.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a necessary evil
something that is undesirable but must be accepted. 1997 Internet World Advertising may be a necessary evil. After all, someone has to support Internet ventures.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a ˌnecessary ˈevil
a thing that is unpleasant or even harmful, but which must be accepted because it brings some benefit: Injections against tropical illnesses are a necessary evil when you are planning to travel to that part of the world. ♢ I suppose all these security measures are a necessary evil.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017