# backhanded compliment

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/backhanded-compliment
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- That was a backhanded compliment about my new haircut.
- She gave me a backhanded compliment by saying I looked great for my age.
- His remark was clearly a backhanded compliment, as he praised my work while implying it was surprisingly competent for someone with my limited experience.

## Origin

A compound of *backhanded* and *compliment*, with similar figurative applications of *backhanded* appearing in the lexicon from at least the early 19th century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.