A metaphorical expression for a field, activity, or force that is alluring yet harsh or unforgiving, exacting high costs or sacrifices from those who pursue it.
2.
globalfigurativecolloquial
Used to personify an abstract concept or pursuit (such as science, fashion, or life) that rewards effort but often punishes mistakes or causes suffering.
Examples:
EN: According to plans, an American Air Force officer has been introduced to a cruel mistress, heroin.
ES: De acuerdo con los planes, un oficial de la Fuerza Aérea de los EE. UU... ha sido presentado a una amante cruel: la heroína.
EN: My dear, science is a cruel mistress.
ES: Mi querida, la ciencia es una amante cruel.
EN: But life's a cruel mistress, Joel.
ES: Pero la vida es una amante cruel.
EN: The cruel mistress.
ES: La amante cruel.
EN: You know, the glockenspiel is a cruel mistress.
ES: El xilófono es todo un peligro.
EN: The theater is a cruel mistress.
ES: El teatro es una Madama cruel.
EN: Gravity is a cruel mistress.
ES: La gravedad es una amante cruel.
EN: After I was sent to a Rike, I spent my days watching myself age and despised that cruel mistress of the Rike who treated me horribly knowing who I really was.
ES: Después de ser enviada a un Rike, me pasaba los días viéndome envejecer y odiando a esa cruel patrona del Rike que me trataba tan mal sabiendo quién era yo en realidad.
EN: Insomnia is a cruel mistress.
ES: El insomnio no es un buen compañero.
EN: Fashion's a cruel mistress.
ES: La moda es una ama cruel.
EN: Double or nothing is a cruel mistress.
ES: El todo o nada es peligroso.
EN: Okay, I think what we've learned today is that the road can be a cruel, cruel mistress.
ES: Okay, creo que aprendimos hoy que el camino es cruel, amante cruel.
EN: I think what we've learned today is that the road can be a cruel, cruel mistress.
ES: Creo que lo hemos aprendido hoy es que el camino puede ser cruel, amante cruel.