English Dictionary

left-handed compliment

名詞

慣用表現

(idiomatic) A complimentary remark which is ambiguous or ineptly worded, so that it may be interpreted as having an unflattering or dismissive sense.

日本語の意味

表面上は褒め言葉に見えるが、実際には相手を皮肉ったり、批判的な含みを持つ発言。 / 賞賛の言葉を使いながらも、裏では相手を貶めるような意図や、失礼なニュアンスを含む表現。

When she said my report was surprisingly coherent, I knew it was a left-handed compliment.

彼女が私の報告書を「思ったよりまとまっている」と言ったとき、それが皮肉めいた褒め言葉だと分かった。

意味（1）

(idiomatic) A complimentary remark which is ambiguous or ineptly worded, so that it may be interpreted as having an unflattering or dismissive sense.

We have sat through the whole of dinner and not once mentioned politics. You made us forget them, Tallente murmured. A left-handed compliment, Jane laughed.

left-handed compliments （ plural ）