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English Vocabulary in Use - Advanced /

075. A Pat On The Back: Complimenting and Praising

1 / 27
خروج
1-
to pay a compliment
2-
to fish for a compliment
3-
backhanded compliment
4-
double-edged
5-
praise
6-
praiseworthy
7-
to praise
8-
to praise somebody or something to the sky
9-
to sing the praises of somebody or something
10-
to pay tribute to somebody or something
11-
standing ovation
12-
to pat somebody on the back
13-
plaudit
14-
to laud
15-
laudable
16-
laudatory
17-
to flatter
18-
to crawl
19-
to suck up to
20-
to lick one's boots
21-
smarmy
22-
slimy
23-
crawler
24-
flatterer
25-
servile
26-
obsequious
27-
flattery
to pay a compliment
عبارة
uk flag
/pˈeɪ ɐ kˈɑːmplɪmənt/
N/A

N/A

Collocation

to convey one's admiration or approval for someone

to fish for a compliment
عبارة
uk flag
/fˈɪʃ fɚɹə kˈɑːmplɪmənt/
N/A

N/A

Idiom
Informal

to get people to praise one, often by pretending not to be happy with oneself

What is the origin of the idiom "fish for a compliment" and when to use it?

The idiom "fish for a compliment" originated from the act of fishing, where one uses bait to lure fish towards them. In this context, "fish" represents seeking or searching for something, while "compliment" refers to a favorable remark or praise. This expression is now used figuratively to imply that someone is seeking validation or seeking praise from others through subtle or indirect means.

backhanded compliment
backhanded compliment
عبارة
uk flag
/bˈækhændᵻd lˈɛfthˈændᵻd kˈɑːmplɪmənt/
N/A

N/A

Disapproving
Idiom

a comment that seemingly praises someone but is actually intended to insult them

Dialect
What is the origin of the idiom "backhanded compliment" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "backhanded compliment" is not tied to a specific historical event or source but rather emerges from the concept of delivering praise in a way that conceals criticism or negative intent. The term "backhanded" draws from the idea of using the back of one's hand, a less direct and more subtle approach, as opposed to a straightforward or open-handed compliment. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, interpersonal relationships, social gatherings, workplace settings, and even in discussions about public figures or public statements.

double-edged
صفة
uk flag
/dˈʌbəlˈɛdʒd/
(مُبهمة)

(مُبهمة)

ذو وجهين

(of a comment) implying two distinct meanings

praise
praise
اسم
p
p
ب
r
r
ر
ai
اِاي~اِ
s
z
ز
e
(ثناء)

(ثناء)

مدح

an expression of approval and commendation

praiseworthy
صفة
p
p
ب
r
r
ر
ai
اِاي~اِ
s
z
ز
e
w
w
و
o
ɜ
اِ
r
r
ر
th
ð
ذ
y
i
اي
(جدير بالمدح)

(جدير بالمدح)

مستحق الثناء

deserving of praise or admiration

to praise
to praise
فعل
p
p
ب
r
r
ر
ai
اِاي~اِ
s
z
ز
e
(أشاد بـ)

(أشاد بـ)

مدح

to express admiration or approval toward something or someone

knock

معلومات نحوية:

متعدٍ
to praise somebody or something to the sky
عبارة
uk flag
/pɹˈeɪz ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ tə ðə skˈaɪ/
N/A

N/A

***to praise someone or something a lot

to sing the praises of somebody or something
عبارة
uk flag
/sˈɪŋ ðə pɹˈeɪzᵻz ʌv ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
N/A

N/A

Idiom
Informal

to speak or write about someone or something in a very positive and enthusiastic way

What is the origin of the idiom "sing the praises of someone or something" and when to use it?

The exact origin of the idiom "sing the praises of someone or something" is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the 16th century. During that time, people wrote many religious hymns praising God and other religious figures. So, the phrase may have begun by literally meaning to sing praises, and over time it came to mean speaking or writing about someone favorably. This idiom is typically used informally, often in spoken language, to express admiration, gratitude, or approval.

to pay tribute to somebody or something
عبارة
uk flag
/pˈeɪ tɹˈɪbjuːt tʊ ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
N/A

N/A

Collocation

to show respect or recognition to someone or something

standing ovation
اسم
uk flag
/stˈændɪŋ oʊvˈeɪʃən/
N/A

N/A

enthusiastic recognition (especially one accompanied by loud applause)

to [pat] {sb} on the back
to pat somebody on the back
عبارة
uk flag
/pˈæt ˌɛsbˈiː ɑːnðə bˈæk/
N/A

N/A

Idiom

to praise or encourage someone to show one thinks they have done a great job at doing something

What is the origin of the idiom "pat someone on the back" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "pat someone on the back" is closely tied to the physical act itself. The gesture of patting someone on the back to convey approval or encouragement has likely been used across cultures and throughout history as a nonverbal way to express positive sentiments. It is often used in professional settings to acknowledge achievements or milestones, such as in the workplace when a manager praises an employee for a job well done.

plaudit
اسم
p
p
ب
l
l
ل
au
ɔ
آ~اُ
d
d
د
i
ɪ
اي~اِ
t
t
ت
(ثناء)

(ثناء)

تقدير

public or formal expressions of praise or approval

to laud
فعل
l
l
ل
au
ɔ
آ~اُ
d
d
د
(يثني على)

(يثني على)

يمدح

to praise or express admiration for someone or something

laudable
صفة
l
l
ل
au
ɔ
آ~اُ
d
d
د
a
ə
اِ
b
b
ب
ə
اِ
l
l
ل
e
(جدير بالتقدير)

(جدير بالتقدير)

مستحق للإعجاب

(of an idea, intention, or act) deserving of admiration and praise, regardless of success

laudatory
صفة
l
l
ل
au
ɔ
آ~اُ
d
d
د
a
ə
اِ
t
t
ت
o
ɔ
آ~اُ
r
r
ر
y
i
اي
(إشادة)

(إشادة)

مديحى

expressing great praise or admiration

to flatter
to flatter
فعل
f
f
ف
l
l
ل
a
æ
اَ
tt
t
ت
e
ɜ
اِ
r
r
ر
(مدح بشكل مبالغ فيه)

(مدح بشكل مبالغ فيه)

تملق

to highly praise someone in an exaggerated or insincere way, especially for one's own interest

disparage

معلومات نحوية:

متعدٍ
to crawl
فعل
c
k
ك
r
r
ر
a
ɔ
آ~اُ
w
l
l
ل
(تزلّف)

(تزلّف)

تملق

to behave or act in a servile or subservient manner, often with excessive flattery

معلومات نحوية:

لازم
to suck up to
to suck up to
فعل
uk flag
/sˈʌk ˈʌp tuː/
(يتودد إلى)

(يتودد إلى)

يتملق إلى

to attempt to gain favor or approval from someone in a position of authority by engaging in actions or saying things to please them

معلومات نحوية:

حالة العبارات
inseparable
الفعل في العبارة
suck
جزء من العبارة
up to
to lick one's boots
عبارة
uk flag
/lˈɪk wˈʌnz bˈuːts/
N/A

N/A

Disapproving
Idiom
Informal

to try to please or get closer to someone for one's personal gain

What is the origin of the idiom "lick one's boots" and when to use it?

The idiom "lick one's boots" originated in the 16th century and has its roots in the literal act of licking someone's boots, which symbolizes extreme subservience or abject submission. Figuratively, the idiom is often used to imply a person's willingness to degrade themselves or show excessive servility towards someone in a position of power or authority.

smarmy
صفة
s
s
س
m
m
م
a
ɑ
آ
r
r
ر
m
m
م
y
i
اي
N/A

N/A

excessively flattering or ingratiating in a way that seems insincere

slimy
صفة
s
s
س
l
l
ل
i
آاي~اِ
m
m
م
y
i
اي
(ماكر)

(ماكر)

خبثي

having a deceitful or morally offensive character

crawler
اسم
c
k
ك
r
r
ر
a
ɔ
آ~اُ
w
l
l
ل
e
ɜ
اِ
r
r
ر
N/A

N/A

a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage

flatterer
اسم
f
f
ف
l
l
ل
a
æ
اَ
tt
t
ت
e
ə
اِ
r
r
ر
e
ə
اِ
r
r
ر
N/A

N/A

a person who uses flattery

servile
صفة
s
s
س
e
ɜ
اِ
r
r
ر
v
v
و
i
ə
اِ
l
l
ل
e
(عبد)

(عبد)

ذليل

very keen to please and obey others

unservile
obsequious
صفة
o
ə
اِ
b
b
ب
s
s
س
e
i
اي
q
k
ك
uiou
wi
واي
ə
اِ
s
s
س
(متملق)

(متملق)

خادع

excessively flattering and obeying a person, particularly in order to gain their approval or favor

flattery
اسم
f
f
ف
l
l
ل
a
æ
اَ
tt
t
ت
e
ɜ
اِ
r
r
ر
y
i
اي
N/A

N/A

excessive or insincere praise

مبروك! !

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