Taking a hardhearted stance with 心を鬼にする
心を鬼にする means forcing yourself to act sternly even though you feel sympathy for the person affected.
Literal Meaning
This expression literally translates as “to turn one’s heart into an ogre”.
Usage Notes
The speaker suppresses compassion to do something they believe is necessary but harsh. A parent might use the expression before disciplining a child even though the punishment pains them.
It can also describe being strict with yourself. In either case, the point is the conflict between sympathy and a deliberate decision to stay firm.
Dictionary Definition
かわいそうだと思いながら、厳しい態度をとる。
To take a harsh attitude (with someone) while feeling sorry (for them).
Goo Dictionary
Further Reading
- 心を鬼にする｜慣用句 (edewakaru.com)
Examples
Being strict about eating sweets with 心を鬼にする
Having gained weight recently, Mie asks Komura to stop her from eating sweets at school, a difficult task as it’s White Day. Komura repeatedly stops Mie from eating the cookies and chocolate she’s received as gifts. His resolve weakens as he finds it adorable how Mie tries to sneak a bite whenever he’s not looking.
- 小村:
- 「で…でもダメだ！ 三重さんが一度決めたことを破らせては… 心を鬼にしないと…！！」
- “But, that's no good! If I let Mie break her decision... I have to be strict for her sake!”
Being strict with oneself and one's student with 心を鬼にする
Conan’s classmates aren’t fond of their new teacher’s strict attitude. Ms. Kobayashi explains how at her last school, she couldn’t bring herself to be strict, and it allowed her students to get so out of control that students were injured in a fight.
- 小林:
- 「だから、この学校では二度とあんな事は繰り返すまいと…」
- “Therefore, to keep from repeating that kind of situation at this school...”
- 「心を鬼にして自分にも生徒にも厳しくしてきたの…」
- “I hardened my heart and became strict, with myself and with my students...”
- “Therefore, to keep from repeating that kind of situation at this school...”
Club training with 心を鬼にする
Renge wedges herself into the Ouran High School Host club, appointing herself the club’s manager. Due to her social status, Tamaki and the other wealthy club members are unable to object. Instead, they leave it to Haruhi to oust her.
- 環:
- 「これもホスト修行だハルヒ！！」
- “This, too, is host training, Haruhi!!”
- 「おとーさんは心を鬼ににするぞ！！」
- “Dad has to harden his heart!”
- “This, too, is host training, Haruhi!!”