left-handed compliment

1. A compliment with two meanings, one of which is unflattering to the receiver: “The senator said that her opponent was quite competent for someone so inexperienced; you hear nothing but left-handed compliments in these debates.”

Idioms and Phrases

Also, backhanded compliment . An insult in the guise of an expression of praise. For example, She said she liked my hair, but it turned out to be a left-handed compliment when she asked how long I'd been dyeing it . This expression uses left-handed in the sense of “questionable or doubtful,” a usage dating from about 1600.

Example Sentences

The bid to buff up Mr. Biden’s image while reclaiming “Let’s go, Brandon” from the right earned a left-handed compliment last weekend from conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.

From Washington Times

It may be a left-handed compliment to say that “Berlin, I Love You” features no real duds even if some entries are disappointing.

From Salon

Talk about a left-handed compliment.

From Los Angeles Times

Melissa, take all this as a left-handed compliment: You were too good for them, you and a slew of sharp, professional people that they also got rid of.

From New York Times

It’s a big claim on one hand and on the other, a left-handed compliment.

From Washington Post