Translations 481, English Idioms “backhanded compliment†and “big gun.†Definitions, origins, translations to Spanish and Portuguese.
Michael D. Powers, Ph.D., USCCI
US Certified Court Interpreter 1980 / Ph.D. Spanish Portuguese 1981 / 24 years university professor / Estimates: 12,000+ depositions, hearings, etc. / 850 trials / 3000 documents / Conference Interpreter 650 conferences
Translations 481, English Idioms “backhanded compliment†and “big gun.†Definitions, origins, translations to Spanish and Portuguese.
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backhanded compliment
definition
Backhanded compliments are insults disguised as genuine compliments. "You look pretty in this lighting" is an example of a?backhanded compliment. This "compliment" insinuates the person isn't pretty in other types of lighting. The best way to respond to a?backhanded compliment?is to ignore it.
origin
The phrase?backhanded compliment?is an idiom which is synonymous with a left-handed compliment. It comes from the Latin word “sinistra,†which translates to sinister in English. In the past, being left-handed was considered unfortunate. It stood for being unlucky.? Source:?theidioms.com
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Spanish
cumplido de doble intención [a compliment with two intentions]
insulto disfrazado como un cumplido [an insult disguised as a compliemtn]
Portuguese
insulto disfar?ado de elógio [an insult disguised as praise]
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big gun
definition
According to the Cambridge University Dictionary, a “big gun†is a person or company with a lot of power and influence.
Origin
The?Origins?of "Big Gun" Like many idioms, the exact?origin?of "big gun" is unclear.
However, one hypothesis that is believed that this phrase originated in military jargon during the 1800s, since large artillery was used in warfare at that time, and often the large artillery pieces were referred to as "big guns."
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However, its figurative usage was also prevalent during the 19th century. Even Charles Dickens used in a letter written in 1967 to refer to influential people in college as those from “the biggest guns to the smallest.â€
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Spanish
pez gordo [fat fish]
Portuguese
chef?o [big boss]
manda-chuva [order rain]
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Sources
Magic Spanish English Unabridged Dictionary app
Word Reference Spanish English Dictionary app
Word Reference Portuguese English Dictionary app
English Portuguese Best Dictionary app
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