Yes, the phrase "hard truth" is commonly used to refer to an unpleasant or difficult reality that people must accept. It’s often used in discussions where someone needs to face a difficult fact or situation.
On the other hand, "cruel truth" is less common, but it is still used to describe a harsh or painful reality. It carries a stronger connotation of the truth being not just difficult but also emotionally painful or harsh.
Example Sentences:
* Hard truth: "The hard truth is that we need to make significant changes to our business model to survive."
* Cruel truth: "The cruel truth is that not everyone gets a fair chance in life."
In summary, "hard truth" is more frequently used, while "cruel truth" is used for particularly harsh or emotionally painful realities.