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

(slang, idiomatic) A pretense of deference; a veiled or subtle insult.

A compliment which unintentionally comes across as an insult.

Alternative form of backward compliment

A statement that sounds like a compliment, but really is not.

Alternative spelling of backhanded compliment

(idiomatic) A complimentary remark which is ambiguous or ineptly worded, so that it may be interpreted as having an unflattering or dismissive sense.