compliment (redirected from complimenting)

a back-handed compliment (British, American & Australian, American)

a remark which seems approving but which is also negative. He gave me that classic back-handed compliment. He said I played football very well 'for a woman'.

fish for compliments

to try to make someone praise you, often by criticizing yourself to them. Emma, you know you don't look fat in that dress. Are you fishing for compliments? (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: fish

return the compliment

to do something for someone because they have done something for you. Thanks for looking after the house while we were away. I hope I'll be able to return the compliment some time.

See also: return

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return the compliment

1. to do something for someone because they have done something for you. Our neighbors looked after the house while we were away, and we'll return the compliment when they go on vacation.

2. to do or say something unfriendly to someone because they have made you angry. The batter was thrown out of the game, so he returned the compliment by calling the umpire a fool.

return the favor

See also: return