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