Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) An insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.
Usage examples of "backhanded compliment".
Her embryonic professionalism made her rather paranoid and she immediately misconstrued Berman's comment, which was meant as a backhanded compliment.
Had he considered it, he might have realized that their position was a form of backhanded compliment, a decision based on the fact that their commanders considered his regiment steady enough to be entrusted with responsibility for holding such an exposed and critical position.
Tinker had learned all the levels of Lain's praise, from the scathing backhanded compliment for a job sloppily done, to the Mona Lisa smile and swat for a clever but naughty act.
She went to it, climbed in, and was about to hand Ben a backhanded compliment on gallantry when she saw that he was not inside.
The girl doesn't realize it, but she just got a backhanded compliment in that insult.