What does backhanded mean? grasp of/on (something), a (kind of) reflection on (someone or something). She would not have been a house n , she would have been a field n ," Chong said, continuing what became, VILLA boss Martin O'Neill insists he took Chelsea's time-wasting tactics as, ``I don't think it was fair of him to do that but I suppose I should take it as, They say it wasn't an insult but naming the old bones Masiakasaurus knopfleri is certainly. Noun. backhanded compliment Meaning: ambiguous statement - one that can be taken as a compliment, but which might also be seen as an insult. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. Clearly, some backhanded compliments are mean-spirited, while others are said out of ignorance. Synonyms include: underhanded compliment, left-handed compliment, slight, aspersion, and stealth insult. An insulting or negative comment disguised as praise. Although cleverly disguised as a joke or a compliment, these comments may qualify as “toxic” if they sting, cause confusion, and replay in a person’s … a backhanded compliment 1. left-handed compliment. Did you make it? Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. performed with the hand turned backward, crosswise, or in any oblique direction so that the palm of the hand faces in the direction of the body and the back of the hand faces in the direction of forward movement. 1. backhanded - (of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke. Meaning of backhanded. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult. sloping in a downward direction from left to right: backhanded writing. Backhanded compliments are comments that contain flattery, but also include a comparison with negative implications. Often used by people who *want* to be nice, but fear being seen as weak or disingenuous, but can be unintentional. “Backhanded compliment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhanded%20compliment. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Do you know these earlier meanings of words? adjective. Correspondingly, a backhanded (or left-handed) compliment, or asteism, is an insult that is disguised as, or accompanied by, a compliment, especially in situations where the belittling or condescension is intentional. A compliment couched in the form or tone of an insult. Sometimes, it's helpful to consider the person's intentions before choosing your response. Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment. pseudo-compliment. A daily challenge for crossword fanatics. Another word for a backhanded compliment would be a subtle insult, or a no compliment. When someone pays you a backhanded compliment, they … These comments are also sometimes known as left-handed compliments or stealth insults. backhand. From Hollywood Reporter. Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times. Backhanded compliments sneak up on you. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. And I think his left-handed compliments are all given by accident, too! Translate Backhanded. ... "attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal" Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: backhanded (Adjective) With the hand turned backward. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+back-handed+compliment. All Free. 'backhanded compliment' is an alternate term for 'left-handed compliment'. 17 Backhanded Compliments Guys Give Women. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult. What a backhanded compliment! Backhanded compliment definition: The meaning of a backhanded compliment is a comment that provides some level of praise with an insult. She told me that my essay was ‘surprisingly good’, which I thought was a backhanded compliment. Be careful about the things you say to your partner.Sometimes we say things that hurt their feelings inadvertently. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, Rae Dawn Chong Regrets Calling Oprah Winfrey The N-Word; 'I Was Actually Complimenting Oprah,' Actress Says In Response To Controversy [VIDEO], Clock watchers' compliment; PREMIER LEAGUE: VILLA 0 CHELSEA 1, Maeve Quigley's column: Knopfler's namesake a dinosore, Football: O'Neill has plans for big future, a (good/solid/sound/etc.) This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Contexts. “You’re pretty for a black girl /boy” “You’re pretty for a trans girl /boy” This is a backhanded compliment Reviewers gave the play the backhanded compliment that it was `surprisingly impressive'. It is in one or more of the lines below. a backhanded blow. Definition of backhanded compliment. They were seen as the ones most in need of some culture. . 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? Definition of backhanded adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Delivered to your inbox! In that sense, bloviating is a kind of backhanded tribute to language. Your friend may be trying to give you a compliment, but this kind of comment ends up implying that you look tired whenever you aren't wearing makeup. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! : What a backhanded compliment, typical of the kind of dysfunction we've witnessed over the last three years with Republicans in power. It’s National Compliment Day, so to celebrate, here’s a list of the 10 finest backhanded compliments and what people really mean when they give them to you… 10. Lo encontrarás en al menos una de las líneas abajo. For instance: That's an interesting dress. They are passive aggressive statements worded to sound like a compliment while really it's nasty, mean, and judgmental. It's not just "Mean Girls" behavior. Another word for backhanded compliment. Example: She told him that he looked much better than he usually did, which was a bit of a backhanded compliment.. B 1 Thought. Find more ways to say backhanded compliment, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's … backhanded - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be criticizing someone or something but which could also be understood as praise. backhanded compliment es un término alternativo para left-handed compliment. Backhanded compliments are a form of hidden, disguised, sometimes even sarcastic criticism that are hidden behind kind words. backhanded compliment (plural backhanded compliments) ( idiomatic ) An insult disguised as a compliment ; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. oblique or ambiguous in meaning; indirect; insincere or malicious; wry: backhanded methods; a backhanded … 1914 , Edgar Rice Burroughs , chapter 17 , in Tarzan of the Apes : What made you want to look up backhanded compliment? Backhanded definition is - indirect, devious; especially : sarcastic. Telling the truth through tough love, through backhanded compliments, through harsh insults, it can be really therapeutic and bring people together. Post the Definition of backhanded compliment to Facebook, Share the Definition of backhanded compliment on Twitter, The Difference Between 'Hoard' and 'Horde'. By Anna Breslaw. This was a backhanded compliment: it implied that they were capable of appreciating the highest works of art. A compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. ‘The backhanded compliment had made her blood rise with both embarrassment and a little bit of annoyance.’ ‘If that sounds like a backhanded compliment, it is intended as a compliment nonetheless.’ Below, the most common instances of guy-on-girl insults wrapped in compliments. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. She said my new pants really make my legs look much slimmer. What does a backhanded compliment mean? There are many phrases that you might think are a compliment, but are really just a backhanded dig and sexist remark. They were seen as the ones most in need of some culture. A backhanded (or left-handed) compliment is an ambiguous statement that seems to be or is intended to be a compliment but is actually critical and could be seen as an insult; an insult disguised as praise. An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something. There's nothing like that familiar and very distinctive stab to the heart that you get when someone pays you a back handed compliment. Examples of backhanded compliments include, but … Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. A compliment which can be interpreted as an insult. The backhanded compliment to lower her self-esteem... a proven winner. in the black beg to differ : Un faux compliment pour diminuer l'estime de soi. Backhanded compliments are the only kind he ever gives! Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment. 2. backhanded - roundabout or ambiguous; "attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal". Sezer and her colleagues surveyed 156 adults, recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service, and asked them to recall if they had ever received a backhanded compliment. From Los Angeles Times. See 4 authoritative translations of Backhanded in Spanish with example sentences and audio pronunciations. Backhanded compliment is an insult that is disguised as, or accompanied by, a compliment , especially in situations where the belittling or condescension is intentional . A backhanded compliment is any comment that blurs the line between an insult and a compliment. Learn a new word every day. And they are common. 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