cruel mistress

English

Alternative forms

• harsh mistress

Noun

cruel mistress (plural cruel mistresses)

1. (idiomatic) Something which has both significant positive and negative aspects.
   • 1965 December 17, “Snow Job”, in Time Magazine:

     For bandleaders, society can be a cruel mistress. At debutante parties they receive compliments but not calling cards, at charity balls they take their breaks with their players instead of their patrons […]

   • 2017 January, Chris Okula, “The Kia Stinger Will Be One Hell Of A Used Car”, in Shifting Lanes‎^[1], retrieved January 31, 2021:

     Even if you can’t afford a new one, the cruel mistress of depreciation will soon have her way with the Stinger and that’s very good news.

See also

• cut both ways