Meaning of backhanded compliment | Babel Free

Definitions

An insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“"[…] regardless of what he may say⟳ to you, he respects your great learning, and, therefore, has immense confidence in your judgment. The poor dear cannot differentiate between erudition and wisdom." Mr. Philander, with a mildly puzzled expression on his face⟳, turned to pursue⟳ Professor Porter, and in his mind⟳ he was revolving the question⟳ of whether he should feel⟳ complimented or aggrieved at Miss⟳ Porter's rather back-handed compliment.”

“Perhaps, finally, the Netherlands will shed⟳ itself of the backhanded compliment of being the best team never to win⟳ a world championship.”

“In a backhanded compliment, Markopolos said the SEC is a "bad regulator, but the best of a very sorry lot."”

CEFR level