How to Pronounce "be cruel to be kind"
expression
bee KROO-uhl tuh bee KYND
bee KROO-uhl too bee KYND
Definition
To act harshly or say something hurtful because you believe it will help someone in the long run.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈkɹuəɫ/, /ˈkɹuɫ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈkaɪnd
British English
bˈiː/ /kɹˈuːəl/ /tˈuː/ /bˈiː/ /kˈaɪnd
Simplified Pronunciation
US
bee KROO-uhl tuh bee KYND
UK
bee KROO-uhl too bee KYND
Listen in Context
Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and tell the truth, even if it hurts.
Her parents decided to be cruel to be kind and take away her phone until she finished her homework.
The teacher believes it’s necessary to be cruel to be kind with strict rules.
Breaking up with him was tough, but I had to be cruel to be kind.