| The expression "You've got to take the rough with the smooth" is an English idiom meaning that for every good thing in life, there's sometimes a downside that's worth tolerating as it all balances out in the end.
"I bought a new Ferrari! It's great, but it only gets 12 mpg."
"Ah well, you've got to take the rough with the smooth, haven't you?"
"I have to work three evenings a week, but they doubled my salary!"
"Ah well, you've got to take the rough with the smooth, haven't you?"
As far as I'm aware, the origin of this expression is the lumber trade. When planks of wood are sawn, some come out with a rough cut. When buying in bulk, it's not the done thing to sort through for the 'better' ones - "you have to take the rough with the smooth." | 
