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 ?
Summary: New Delhi (India), Aug 5 (ANI): Kajol who turned 45 on Monday received a backhanded compliment from hubby Ajay on her special day.
This is how Ajay Devgn showered love on wife Kajol's birthday
L F APts 17 31 49 10 54 16 2 3561750 16 0 5462148 13 5 3381644 12 5 4463141 11 5 5433238 9 4 8252331 8 5 8303129 8 5 8232529 8 4 9293228 7 6 8313127 8 3 10 31 40 27 7 5 9242926 6 411192622 4 6 11 15 29 18 5 313214218 5 313194118 37 11 21 38 16 3 513194714 2 4 15 13 37 10 Fully aware of Van Dijk's talents, the former Real Madrid winger, who has announced he will leave Bayern at the end of the season, offered something of a backhanded compliment when quizzed about the centreback.
Reds the team Robben fears most in Europe; BUT BAYERN ACE NOT CONVINCED VANDIJKISWORLD'SBESTDEFENDER
Fully aware of van Dijk 's talents, the former Real Madrid winger, who has announced he will leave Bayern at the end of the season, offered something of a backhanded compliment when quizzed about the centre-back.
Virgil maybe NOT best in world - but Reds are favourites, says Bayern's Robben
In a backhanded compliment today, former Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin thanked his successor Datuk Osman Sapian for carrying out initiatives and policies he claimed to have started.
Thanks for continuing my ideas, Johor Umno chief tells Pakatan MB
"I'm nearly always giving him a backhanded compliment because I want to keep him grounded and feeling like he has more to do to impress the manager."
Moyes sure he's Arn to a big winner
"'Weird crush.' It's a backhanded compliment, but I'll take it" - Jimmy Carr.
THEY SAY
I believe that's what they call a backhanded compliment.
Fifty shades of grey
"I suppose it's a bit of a backhanded compliment, isn't it?" said (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3310211/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1) Rose Leslie , the actress who portrays Ygritte.
'Game of Thrones' Season 3 Torrent Downloads Targeted By HBO; Network Favors Online Streaming As Premiere Date Approaches
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
It's a backhanded compliment. I know I should be happy but all I feel is frustrated and confused.
Advice for dancers: former New York City Ballet dancer Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., is a lecturer, a psychologist in private practice, and the author of Advice for Dancers (Jossey-Bass). She has been offering advice to Dance Magazine readers since 1992
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
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