English Dictionary

backhanded compliment

名詞

慣用表現

(idiomatic) An insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.

日本語の意味

皮肉や侮蔑の意図を含む、見せかけは褒め言葉と取れる表現 / 裏目のお世辞、すなわち褒め言葉のようで実は侮辱的な意味を持つ表現

Calling her presentation 'better than I expected' was a backhanded compliment that annoyed her.

彼女のプレゼンテーションを「思ったより良かった」と評したのは、彼女を苛立たせる嫌味を含んだ褒め言葉だった。

意味（1）

(idiomatic) An insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.

[…] 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.

backhanded compliments （ plural ）