backhanded compliment

成語所屬單字compliment

backhanded compliment — 慣用語

1. a remark that appears to praise someone but actually contains a hidden criticism

1.慣用語
釋義

表面恭維實則諷刺的話

a remark that appears to praise someone but actually contains a hidden criticism or insult.

例句

"You look great for your age" is a backhanded compliment — it praises while suggesting surprise that you still look good.

Saying her work was 'neat for a beginner' felt like a backhanded compliment to Cyrus.