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a back-handed compliment

a back-handed compliment

  (British, American & Australian) also a left-handed compliment (American)
a remark which seems approving but which is also negative He gave me that classic back-handed compliment. He said I played football very well 'for a woman'.
See return the compliment
See also: compliment

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Brianabree-AN-ə, bree-AHN-ə, brie-AN-əEnglish
LughaidhLOO-eeIrish, Irish Mythology
Effie (1)EF-eeEnglish (Archaic)
Grigore-Romanian
BambiBAM-beeEnglish
Vaiva-Lithuanian
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