necessary evil

A "necessary evil" refers to something considered harmful or undesirable but deemed unavoidable to achieve a greater good or prevent worse outcomes. It implies that the negative aspect is accepted because it is the lesser of two evils, often used to justify actions or policies that are not ideal but are seen as necessary under the circumstances. For example, implementing strict security measures may infringe on personal privacy but might be necessary to ensure safety. The phrase emphasizes the dilemma of accepting short-term negatives for long-term benefits or overall well-being.