backhanded compliment (plural backhanded compliments) ( idiomatic ) An insult disguised as a compliment ; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. Backhanded compliments are the only kind he ever gives! Delivered to your inbox! Meaning of backhanded. backhanded compliment. She said my new pants really make my legs look much slimmer. There are many phrases that you might think are a compliment, but are really just a backhanded dig and sexist remark. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021. Learn a new word every day. Example: She told him that he looked much better than he usually did, which was a bit of a backhanded compliment.. B 1 Thought. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be criticizing someone or something but which could also be understood as praise. This was a backhanded compliment: it implied that they were capable of appreciating the highest works of art. a backhanded compliment 1. : What a backhanded compliment, typical of the kind of dysfunction we've witnessed over the last three years with Republicans in power. See 4 authoritative translations of Backhanded in Spanish with example sentences and audio pronunciations. Definition of 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. ‘The backhanded compliment had made her blood rise with both embarrassment and a little bit of annoyance.’ ‘If that sounds like a backhanded compliment, it is intended as a compliment nonetheless.’ Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. backhanded compliment Meaning: ambiguous statement - one that can be taken as a compliment, but which might also be seen as an insult. Lo encontrarás en al menos una de las líneas abajo. Sezer and her colleagues surveyed 156 adults, recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service, and asked them to recall if they had ever received a backhanded compliment. What does a backhanded compliment mean? Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, Rae Dawn Chong Regrets Calling Oprah Winfrey The N-Word; 'I Was Actually Complimenting Oprah,' Actress Says In Response To Controversy [VIDEO], Clock watchers' compliment; PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA 0 CHELSEA 1, Maeve Quigley's column: Knopfler's namesake a dinosore, Football: O'Neill has plans for big future, a (good/solid/sound/etc.) From Hollywood Reporter. Examples of backhanded compliments include, but … It's not just "Mean Girls" behavior. Clearly, some backhanded compliments are mean-spirited, while others are said out of ignorance. performed with the hand turned backward, crosswise, or in any oblique direction so that the palm of the hand faces in the direction of the body and the back of the hand faces in the direction of forward movement. A daily challenge for crossword fanatics. By Anna Breslaw. All Free. An insulting or negative comment disguised as praise. Although cleverly disguised as a joke or a compliment, these comments may qualify as “toxic” if they sting, cause confusion, and replay in a person’s … An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something. : a compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all She paid me a backhanded compliment when she said my work was "surprisingly good." Definition of backhanded adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Post the Definition of backhanded compliment to Facebook, Share the Definition of backhanded compliment on Twitter, The Difference Between 'Hoard' and 'Horde'. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Do you know these earlier meanings of words? Backhanded compliments sneak up on you. Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times. oblique or ambiguous in meaning; indirect; insincere or malicious; wry: backhanded methods; a backhanded … She would not have been a house n , she would have been a field n ," Chong said, continuing what became, VILLA boss Martin O'Neill insists he took Chelsea's time-wasting tactics as, ``I don't think it was fair of him to do that but I suppose I should take it as, They say it wasn't an insult but naming the old bones Masiakasaurus knopfleri is certainly. Backhanded compliment is an insult that is disguised as, or accompanied by, a compliment , especially in situations where the belittling or condescension is intentional . in the black beg to differ Another word for a backhanded compliment would be a subtle insult, or a no compliment. “You’re pretty for a black girl /boy” “You’re pretty for a trans girl /boy” This is a backhanded compliment A compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. Your friend may be trying to give you a compliment, but this kind of comment ends up implying that you look tired whenever you aren't wearing makeup. Correspondingly, a backhanded (or left-handed) compliment, or asteism, is an insult that is disguised as, or accompanied by, a compliment, especially in situations where the belittling or condescension is intentional. grasp of/on (something), a (kind of) reflection on (someone or something). Contexts. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult. The backhanded compliment to lower her self-esteem... a proven winner. Backhanded definition is - indirect, devious; especially : sarcastic. 2. backhanded - roundabout or ambiguous; "attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal". Find more ways to say backhanded compliment, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's … Backhanded compliments are a form of hidden, disguised, sometimes even sarcastic criticism that are hidden behind kind words. She told me that my essay was ‘surprisingly good’, which I thought was a backhanded compliment. Then there are the backhanded compliments. Synonyms include: underhanded compliment, left-handed compliment, slight, aspersion, and stealth insult. Then again, considering that this is … Another word for backhanded compliment. They are passive aggressive statements worded to sound like a compliment while really it's nasty, mean, and judgmental. What a backhanded compliment! They were seen as the ones most in need of some culture. Backhanded compliment definition: The meaning of a backhanded compliment is a comment that provides some level of praise with an insult. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. What made you want to look up backhanded compliment? pseudo-compliment. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. : Un faux compliment pour diminuer l'estime de soi. adjective. How to use backhanded in a sentence. These comments are also sometimes known as left-handed compliments or stealth insults. Reviewers gave the play the backhanded compliment that it was `surprisingly impressive'. ... "attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal" Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: backhanded (Adjective) With the hand turned backward. Backhanded compliments are comments that contain flattery, but also include a comparison with negative implications. Did you make it? There's nothing like that familiar and very distinctive stab to the heart that you get when someone pays you a back handed compliment. This was a backhanded compliment: it implied that they were capable of appreciating the highest works of art. For instance: That's an interesting dress. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. It is in one or more of the lines below. And they are common. Be careful about the things you say to your partner.Sometimes we say things that hurt their feelings inadvertently. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+back-handed+compliment. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. 17 Backhanded Compliments Guys Give Women. 1. backhanded - (of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke. left-handed compliment. And I think his left-handed compliments are all given by accident, too! When someone pays you a backhanded compliment, they … Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. sloping in a downward direction from left to right: backhanded writing. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be praising someone or something but which could also be understood as criticism. backhanded compliment es un término alternativo para left-handed compliment. a backhanded blow. 'backhanded compliment' is an alternate term for 'left-handed compliment'. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. 1914 , Edgar Rice Burroughs , chapter 17 , in Tarzan of the Apes : They were seen as the ones most in need of some culture. It’s National Compliment Day, so to celebrate, here’s a list of the 10 finest backhanded compliments and what people really mean when they give them to you… 10. A compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. In that sense, bloviating is a kind of backhanded tribute to language. From Los Angeles Times. backhand. Often used by people who *want* to be nice, but fear being seen as weak or disingenuous, but can be unintentional. “Backhanded compliment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhanded%20compliment. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Below, the most common instances of guy-on-girl insults wrapped in compliments. Sometimes, it's helpful to consider the person's intentions before choosing your response. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! backhanded - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Translate Backhanded. Noun. Telling the truth through tough love, through backhanded compliments, through harsh insults, it can be really therapeutic and bring people together. A compliment couched in the form or tone of an insult. A backhanded compliment is any comment that blurs the line between an insult and a compliment. What does backhanded mean? Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment. . On this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, backhanded compliment meaning, geography, and stealth insult are the kind., the most common instances of guy-on-girl insults wrapped in compliments which seems be! 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