A backhanded compliment - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+backhanded+compliment

Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary 11,800,041,845 visitors served

Search / Page tools

A
A
A
A

Language:

Get our app

Register

Get
our app

a backhanded compliment

backhanded compliment

An insulting or negative comment disguised as praise. She said my new pants really make my legs look much slimmer. What a backhanded compliment!

See also: backhanded, compliment

a backhanded compliment

1. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be praising someone or something but which could also be understood as criticism. Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment. Reviewers gave the play the backhanded compliment that it was `surprisingly impressive'.

2. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be criticizing someone or something but which could also be understood as praise. They were seen as the ones most in need of some culture. This was a backhanded compliment: it implied that they were capable of appreciating the highest works of art.

See also: backhanded, compliment

a ˌbackhanded ˈcompliment

(American English also a ˌleft-handed ˈcompliment) a remark that seems to express admiration but could also be understood as an insult: She told me that my essay was ‘surprisingly good’, which I thought was a backhanded compliment.

See also: backhanded, compliment

References in periodicals archive ?

So it's a backhanded compliment if rivals like Hibs and Rangers think about us that much.

Hitkid signs as boss says big 2 fear Bairns

It's a backhanded compliment, but I'll take it" - Jimmy Carr.

I believe that's what they call a backhanded compliment.

Fifty shades of grey

This is something of a backhanded compliment, but here's a list of the "Most Overpaid Actors in Hollywood.

Countdown of Hollywood's Most Overpaid Stars

The tennis ace was clearly impressed with his wife's physique as he took to Twitter to pay her a backhanded compliment.

Boris Becker's wife flaunts amazing body in multicoloured strapless bikini

Despite being the victim of a number of rash challenges this season, Bale sees the treatment as a backhanded compliment to his abilities.

I'm no diver, I'm just trying to avoid getting hurt, insists ace Bale

The United defender enjoys the Barcelona midfield maestro's ball control Phil Taylor The DVD was quite funny to be honest but much prefer Zulu The Power gives a backhanded compliment to Something About Mary Mark Foster Hometown Champions League final for Man United

BEST OF THE TWEETS

That's probably a backhanded compliment to the Special One - such was the fear we Manchester United supporters had for him.

Mourinho's the merrier

But he didn't expect a backhanded compliment from his own agent after his comeback.

Havin 'A Laff: David Dunn

Admittedly, that's something of a backhanded compliment.

It's something from nothing

Whatever our interpretations of the katakana characters, it's clear that in using them the Wachowski brothers are delivering a backhanded compliment to the Japanese culture that has so influenced them.

Manga and the Matrix: Japan's cultural and linguistic influences on the Matrix series

In a backhanded compliment, the accolade for the best screen kiss was awarded to two women - Neve Campbell and Denise Richards in the movie Wild Things.

A time of peace and goodwill to all men... except in Hollywood

It is a backhanded compliment that Britain is viewed as a great country, a magnet for others around the world.

Calais danger; VOICE OF THE

All in all, a backhanded compliment to his new boss.

Game, suit & match Nadal

Idioms browser ?

Full browser ?

CITE

Site: Follow: Share: