tough love

American  

noun

1. a mixture of toughness and warmth used in a relationship, especially with an adolescent.

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tough love British  

noun

1. the practice of taking a stern attitude towards a relative or friend suffering from an addiction, etc, to help the addict overcome the problem

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Etymology

Origin of tough love

First recorded in 1977; after Toughlove, a network of support groups

Example Sentences

Tolkan was also well known for drilling Maverick and Goose with swift reprimands and tough love between puffs of his cigar as their commanding officer, Tom “Stinger” Jardian, in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was an example of what appeared to be Tudor's 'tough love' approach, as opposed to Frank's warmer and more empathetic style, leaving the Spurs squad looking even more dispirited than when he arrived.

From BBC

By all measures, Charles is choosing country over family, tough love over sibling loyalty, preserving the crown above all else.

From The Wall Street Journal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues to get plaudits for his Saturday “tough love” message to Europe at the Munich Security Conference.

From The Wall Street Journal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more conciliatory message in a speech this weekend, but the underlying theme remains one of very tough love for the Continent.

From The Wall Street Journal