What are some backhanded compliments that are very subtle?

https://lemmy.world/post/36156295

What are some backhanded compliments that are very subtle? - Lemmy.World

I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.

Some I've collected over the years.

  • "At this point, you can only impress me."
  • "My opinion of you can only go up from here"
  • "The bar was on the ground and you brought a shovel."
  • "Would you think less of me if ____."
    "I could never think less of you."

    • Britta says "nobody respects me any less as a political activist, right?"

      Long pause...

      Jeff: "the level to which we respect you as a political activist has definitely not changed"

  • “You aren’t the biggest idiot in the world but you better hope they don’t die”
  • Unencumbered by the thought process.
  • "I'm guessing you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling." - Malcolm Reynolds
  • "My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." Malcolm Reynolds
  • "You're the reason we have warning labels."
  • "They only got two brain cells and both of them are fighting for third place."
  • "It's impossible to underestimate you."
    • "Don't underestimate me."
      "I couldn't possibly."

  • "If you were half as smart as you think you are, you’d be twice as smart as you really are."
  • "If you ever had a clever thought, it died alone and afraid."
  • "They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge."
  • "He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." - Abraham Lincoln
  • "May I ask what's on your mind, if you'll forgive the overstatement?"
  • "You could hide your own Easter eggs."
  • "I can explain it again, if you'd like, but I can't understand for you."
  • "He is a modest man with much to be modest about."
  • "I would agree with you but then we would both be wrong"
  • "Your secret is safe with my indifference."
How are any of these SUBTLE
I think that greatly depends on to whom you are speaking.