praise with faint damns
To provide minimal critique, implying that the criticism is the worst that could be said of someone or something.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The critic praised the movie with faint damns.”
“He did not like the book, so he praised it with faint damns to avoid a direct argument.”
“By describing the performance as merely adequate, the reviewer praised it with faint damns, effectively signaling his true disappointment to the audience.”
Inversion of damn with faint praise.
- 01
damn right
Expresses enthusiastic support or opposition, agreement or disagreement, certainty or emphasis.
- 02
damn straight
Without doubt, certainly, for sure.
- 03
damn the torpedoes
Used to dismiss the risks of a dangerous action.
- 04
damn with faint praise
To provide praise that is minimal or inconsequential, implying that such praise is the best that could be said.
- 05
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 06
praise to the skies
To praise or laud (someone or something) excessively.
- 07
sing the praises of
to commend (someone or something’s) attributes to others
Last updated August 10, 2026