1ADJ [ADJ n]隐含讥讽的;有言外之意的 A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult. 隐含讥讽的;有言外之意的
'Even my good reviews have tended to be backhanded compliments,' he says. 'They'll say I was good and almost unbearably grotesque.'.
“即便赞扬我的评论也多似明褒实贬,”他说。“他们会说我的表演不错,荒诞得几乎让人接受不了。”
Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment.
说她进步了听起来倒像是一种讽刺。
2ADJ-GRADED [ADJ n]拐弯抹角的;间接的 If you say that someone is doing something in a backhanded way, they are doing it indirectly. 拐弯抹角的;间接的 [disapproval]
In a backhanded way, I think a lot of my energy and strength comes from my campaigning.