compliment

Damn With Faint Praise

Meaning of Idiom ‘To Damn With Faint Praise’ To damn with faint praise means praise someone or something in such an ambiguous or slight way that it amounts to no praise at all or even implies disapproval or condemnation; to indirectly condemn someone or something by being unenthusiastic in praise, so that the compliment becomes more hurtful … Read more

Backhanded Compliment

Also: Left-handed Compliment Meaning of Idiom ‘Backhanded Compliment’ A backhanded (or left-handed) compliment is an ambiguous statement that seems to be or is intended to be a compliment but is actually critical and could be seen as an insult; an insult disguised as praise. When someone pays you a backhanded compliment, they are actually being condescending. … Read more