backhanded compliment

名词 n.
中文释义

英文释义

名词 n.
  1. An insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. idiomatic
    — "[…] 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.

词形变化

backhanded compliments plural back-handed compliment alternative

词源

Compound of backhanded + compliment. Similar figurative uses of backhanded are attested from at least the early 19th century.
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