# damn with faint praise

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/damn-with-faint-praise
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To provide praise that is minimal or inconsequential, implying that such praise is the best that could be said.

## Examples

- He damned the project with faint praise by calling it interesting.
- The critic damned the new film with faint praise, noting only that the costumes were colorful.
- By describing the candidate's speech as merely adequate, the senator effectively damned him with faint praise in front of the entire assembly.

## Origin

From a poem by Alexander Pope.

---

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.