praise (redirected from praiseful)

damn someone or something with faint praise

Fig. to criticize someone or something indirectly by not praising enthusiastically. The critic did not say that he disliked the play, but he damned it with faint praise. Mrs. Brown is very proud of her son's achievements, but damns her daughter's with faint praise.

See also: damn, faint

praise someone or something to the skies

Fig. to give someone or something much praise. He wasn't very good, but his friends praised him to the skies. They liked your pie. Everyone praised it to the skies.

Self-praise is no recommendation.

Prov. If you praise yourself, people will think that you are boastful and will not respect you. After listening to the lawyer brag about his achievements for a solid half hour, I decided I would find someone else to handle my case. Self-praise is no recommendation.

sing someone's or something's praises and sing the praises of someone or something

Fig. to praise someone highly and enthusiastically. The boss is singing his new secretary's praises. The theater critics are singing the praises of the young actor.

See also: sing

---

damn somebody/something with faint praise

to praise something or someone in such a weak way that it is obvious you do not really admire them She damned Reynolds with faint praise, calling him one of the best imitators in the world.

See also: damn, faint

praise somebody/something to the skies

to praise someone or something very much At first she would praise him to the skies for every minor achievement.

sing somebody's/something's praises

to praise someone or something very much You've obviously made a good impression on Paul - he was singing your praises last night. Mat seems happy enough in Brighton - he's always singing its praises.

See also: sing

---

damn (somebody/something) with faint praise

to show only slight approval for someone or something By qualifying his support, you could argue he was damning these leaders with faint praise. Maybe I'm damning them with faint praise, but the Yankees are easier to like than the Atlanta Braves in this series.

See also: damn, faint

sing somebody's/something's praises also sing the praises of somebody/something

to praise someone or something with enthusiasm I hate the city, but my sister is always singing its praises.

See also: sing