Backhanded Compliment – A compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all.
See also:
How to give a compliment
Backhanded compliments sources: The Typeset
A List of Backhanded Compliments
| Backhanded Compliment |
|---|
| You look so much nicer than usual! |
| You look comfortable. |
| Oh what a lovely sweater. My grandma has one just like it. |
| You’re so lucky you’re pretty. |
| You’re lucky to have those curves. |
| You have such an interesting style. |
| You look fantastic! You didn’t need to go to all that trouble! |
| You look so much better/healthier now! |
| You should get addicted to heroin, I think it’d really suit you. |
| I bet you were in great shape when you were younger. |
| It’s not that I hate you, I haven’t as yet, found a reason to like you. |
| I hope your day is as pleasant as you are. |
| “Relax, sweetie…you were perfectly adequate.” |
| “Your haircut really slims your face. |
| I always feel more intelligent after reading your work. |
| It’s really difficult to underestimate you. |
| Your haircut makes your nose look smaller. |
| You look really nice in this light. |
| That’s a beautiful photo of you. I didn’t recognize you at first. |
| You’re not as dumb as you look. |
| I love how you just don’t care what anyone thinks of you. |
| I don’t care what others say about you. You’re alright in my book. |
| Your Instagram makes you seem so fun! |
| I didn’t expect you to get the job – Congratulations! |
| I wish I was as relaxed as you are about messiness. |
| You’re so charming when you make an effort. |
| Those earrings are so nice. My grandma would love them. |
| Your house feels so cozy and lived in. |
| Well, that’s a level of incompetence I’ve never seen before. |
| You’re pretty… on the inside. |
| That’s not the ugliest shirt I’ve seen you wear. |
| You might not be the prettiest, but you’re definitely the funniest! |
| You clean up nice. |
| You’re smarter than two dumb guys. |
| You should get addicted to heroin, I think it’d really suit you. |
| I bet you were in great shape when you were younger. |
| It’s not that I hate you, I haven’t as yet, found a reason to like you. |
| I hope your day is as pleasant as you are. |
| “Relax, sweetie…you were perfectly adequate.” |
| “Your haircut really slims your face. |
| I always feel more intelligent after reading your work. |
| It’s really difficult to underestimate you. |
| Your haircut makes your nose look smaller. |
| You look really nice in this light. |
| That’s a beautiful photo of you. I didn’t recognize you at first. |
| You’re not as dumb as you look. |
| I love how you just don’t care what anyone thinks of you. |
| I don’t care what others say about you. You’re alright in my book. |
| Your Instagram makes you seem so fun! |
| I didn’t expect you to get the job – Congratulations! |
| I wish I was as relaxed as you are about messiness. |
| You’re so charming when you make an effort. |
| Those earrings are so nice. My grandma would love them. |
| Your house feels so cozy and lived in. |
| Well, that’s a level of incompetence I’ve never seen before. |
| You’re pretty… on the inside. |
| That’s not the ugliest shirt I’ve seen you wear. |
| You might not be the prettiest, but you’re definitely the funniest! |
| You clean up nice. |
| You’re smarter than two dumb guys. |
| I always feel more intelligent after reading your work. |
| It’s really difficult to underestimate you. |
| That’s a great photo of you – I didn’t even recognize you! |
| If you keep working hard I’m sure someday you’ll be at the top of the bell curve. |
| I truly love how you just don’t care what others think. That takes a confident person! |
Further Reading
