Uncategorized

WORDS IN THIS SET

phraseA1

a backhanded complimentUS/ə ˌbækˈhændɪd ˈkɑmpləmənt/UK/ə ˌbækˈhændɪd ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

You use this phrase when praise sounds kind but also carries a hidden insult.

EXAMPLES

“Calling my presentation “surprisingly clear” felt like a backhanded compliment.”

“She said my outfit was “bold,” and I took it as a backhanded compliment.”

“When he said I was “good with people for an engineer,” it sounded like a backhanded compliment.”

SYNONYMS

a left-handed complimentan insult disguised as praisea veiled insult

ANTONYMS

a sincere complimentgenuine praisestraightforward praise

GRAMMAR

Noun phrase · countable · often used with “give,” “take,” or “sound like.”

1 / 3861