left-handed compliment
noun[C]
USuk/ˌleft.hæn.dɪd ˈkɒm.plɪ.mənt/us/ˌleft.hæn.dɪd ˈkɑːm.plə.mənt/aremarkthatseemsto say somethingpleasantabout someone but could also be aninsult:
Right in themiddleof thereviewis aleft-handedcompliment: thecriticpraisestheactorfor his "startlingcareerdeparture."
Synonym
backhanded compliment
- It'skindof aleft-handedcomplimenttocallher "thefemalePicasso" — it's like you have thefemalePicassoinsteadof therealPicasso.
- Thewholearticlehas thedistinctfeelingof aleft-handedcompliment.
- Hisconstantleft-handedcomplimentsmake mesick.
Praising insincerely or too eagerly
- backhanded compliment
- bootlicker
- bow and scrapeidiom
- crawler
- creep
- fawn
- flummery
- glad-handing
- grovel
- hagiographic
- idealization
- massagesomeone'segoidiom
- obsequious
- people pleaser
- play up tosomeone
- schmooze
- sycophantic
- toady
- toadying
- unctuous
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Insults & abuse