backhanded
/'bæk,hændid/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Indirect, ambiguous, or insincere: A "backhanded" remark, action, or compliment is one that seems positive on the surface but contains a hidden criticism or is not genuinely meant.
- (Of a racket stroke) Made with the back of the hand facing forward: In sports like tennis or squash, a "backhanded" stroke is one executed across the body with the back of the hand leading the motion.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective (Indirect/Insincere):
- Saying "You're smarter than you look" is a classic backhanded compliment.
- His offer to help felt backhanded, as it implied I couldn't manage on my own.
- Adjective (Sports Stroke):
- She has a powerful backhanded drive in tennis.
- The player executed a perfect backhanded shot down the line.
Advanced Usage
- "Backhanded way": An indirect, often deceitful, method of achieving something.
- He achieved his promotion in a backhanded way, by taking credit for others' work.
- "Backhanded manner": A manner of speaking or acting that is not straightforward.
- She agreed, but in such a backhanded manner that I knew she was unhappy.
Variants and Related Words
- Backhand (noun/verb): The stroke itself or the act of hitting with a backhand.
- He practiced his backhand for hours. (noun)
- She backhanded the ball cross-court. (verb)
- Backhandedly (adverb): In a backhanded manner.
- He praised her work backhandedly, noting it was "surprisingly good."
Synonyms
- Indirect: Not straightforward.
- Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation.
- Left-handed: (When referring to compliments) Insincere or ambiguous.
- Two-edged: Having a double or ambiguous meaning.
Related Phrases
- Backhanded compliment: An insult disguised as praise.
- Telling someone they are "pretty for their age" is a backhanded compliment.
Idioms
- A backhanded way of saying: An indirect or roundabout way of expressing something, often something negative.
- His comment about the "interesting" decor was just a backhanded way of saying he didn't like it.
Adjective
-
roundabout or ambiguous
-
attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity
-
a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal
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(of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke
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