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
Aineias	-	Greek Mythology
Nathaniel	nə-THAN-ee-əl (English), nə-THAN-yəl (English)	English, Biblical
Akulina	-	Russian
Samina	-	Arabic
Annette	['ænit]
Chand	-	Indian, Hindi