backhanded compliment

plural backhanded compliments · alternative back-handed compliment

1. idiomaticAn insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.

   In a backhanded compliment, Markopolos said the SEC is a "bad regulator, but the best of a very sorry lot."

   2009 February 4, Robert Chew, “A Madoff Whistle-Blower Tells His Story”, in Time, retrieved 07 Oct 2013

   2 more examples

   "[…] regardless of what he may say to you, he respects your great learning, and, therefore, has immense confidence in your judgment. The poor dear cannot differentiate between erudition and wisdom." Mr. Philander, with a mildly puzzled expression on his face, turned to pursue Professor Porter, and in his mind he was revolving the question of whether he should feel complimented or aggrieved at Miss Porter's rather back-handed compliment.

   1914, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter 17, in Tarzan of the Apes

   Perhaps, finally, the Netherlands will shed itself of the backhanded compliment of being the best team never to win a world championship.

   1998 June 29, Jere Longman, “World Cup '98: Dutch Fans Are Orange (Hair, Dresses, Clogs and Faces) With Envy”, in New York Times, retrieved 07 Oct 2013

   Synonyms: asteism, left-handed compliment, poisonous compliment, poisoned compliment