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

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Downs	[daunz]
Elwood	['elwud]
Meiriona	-	Welsh
Kirsi	KEER-see	Finnish
Yahya	-	Arabic, Turkish, Persian
Sally	['sæli]