(a) back-handed compliment

(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'.


New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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  • back-handed compliment —  Same as left handed compliment …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • compliment — 1 noun (C) 1 a remark that expresses admiration of someone or something: You have lovely hair , Bob told Emma, who blushed at the compliment. | Maria s used to receiving compliments on her appearance. | pay sb a compliment (=tell someone that… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • compliment — com|pli|ment1 [ˈkɔmplımənt US ˈka:m ] n [Date: 1600 1700; : French; Origin: Italian, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir; COMPLY] 1.) a remark that shows you admire someone or something ▪ Being compared to Abba is a great compliment. ▪ Rob… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • backhanded — [[t]bæ̱khæ̱ndɪd, AM hændɪd[/t]] also back handed 1) ADJ: ADJ n A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment… …   English dictionary

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