Definition
To provide praise that is minimal or inconsequential, implying that such praise is the best that could be said.
Origins
From a poem by Alexander Pope.
In Context
- "Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And without sneering teach the rest to sneer."
- "The patronizing manner in which the hero of Nashville is damned with faint praise would amuse were it not so exasperating."
- "Four of them returned it with a cold, printed note of rejection; one of them “damned with faint praise.” They wrote that “Our readers report that they find some merit in your story, but not enough to warrant its acceptance.”"
- "And then, finally, when W. could avoid it no longer, he mentioned Vice, damning with faint praise: “Dick Cheney’s advice was consistent and strong.”"