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

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo showed some tough love for one of his former players on Monday night during the Spartans’ blowout victory against USC in East Lansing.

From Los Angeles Times

That kind of tough love echoes throughout the team, Jones said.

From Los Angeles Times

Anger, judgment and/or “tough love” can feel cathartic in the moment, but that can leave people hurt and confused.

From MarketWatch

The document casts its criticism of Europe in an almost paternalistic tone—the kind of tough love advice one gives a friend.

From The Wall Street Journal

And now some tough love: If you don’t pay off your balance every month, don’t get another card.

From MarketWatch