my highest compliment

USAGE SUMMARY

"my highest compliment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize when you are giving someone a very sincere and highly positive compliment. For example: "Their performance was truly remarkable; my highest compliment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In other words, Kevin Canty writes like a girl -- which is my highest compliment.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With great descriptions and a gripping plot, I think it should win an award - my highest compliments to the author!

The Guardian

"I pay my high compliments for the courage and determination of the two leaders, President Trump and Chairman Kim, not to settle for that outdated and familiar reality but to take a daring step towards change," Mr. Moon said.

The New York Times

Miss Stanwyck was also the favorite of Cecil B. DeMille, who wrote, "I have never worked with an actress who was more cooperative, less temperamental and a better workman, to use my term of highest compliment". She was also the favorite leading lady of William Holden, Henry Fonda and Robert Preston.

The New York Times

She may not describe herself as "stylish," but happily accepts my daughter's highest compliment -- that she is "stylin'".

Huffington Post

(The highest compliment my Quincy, Mass., grandmother could give a turkey was to say that its skin was "just like wrapping paper").

The New York Times - Magazine

"Yau peng, yau leng," my mother murmured, perhaps the highest compliment: "Inexpensive and delicious". When we exited, the line at the door had tripled.

The New York Times - Travel

In my mind, it was the highest compliment they could have received.

Los Angeles Times

I'm not sure I was ever able to explain my thinking, but to my mind I was paying them the highest compliment.

The New York Times

To my ears, inmate lawyer seemed the highest compliment to be made in the room.

Yale University

"There's nobody on the site that I fear more on my left than you," Mr. Worth told Dr. Van Horn, paying him Hold'em's highest compliment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using this phrase; it's appropriate for both formal and informal situations where you want to express strong approval.

Common error

Avoid overusing "my highest compliment" for minor achievements. Its impact is greatest when reserved for truly exceptional accomplishments or qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my highest compliment" functions as an emphatic expression of praise or admiration. It's used to convey that the speaker is offering their most sincere and positive assessment, signifying a high level of approval, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my highest compliment" is a widely used phrase to express strong approval and admiration. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and functions as an emphatic expression of praise. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's most impactful when reserved for truly exceptional achievements. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, reflecting its common usage in conveying sincere positive feedback. Alternative phrases include "my greatest praise" or "utmost admiration", offering nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my greatest praise

Substitutes "compliment" with "praise", emphasizing admiration.

my utmost admiration

Replaces "compliment" with a stronger expression of respect and approval.

the best compliment I can give

Offers a more explicit declaration of high regard.

I commend you highly

A more formal way of expressing strong approval and respect.

I sing your praises

An idiomatic expression suggesting enthusiastic endorsement.

you have my full approval

Emphasizes complete agreement and support.

I hold you in high esteem

Highlights the speaker's deep respect and regard.

you have exceeded my expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated performance or quality.

I am thoroughly impressed

Directly conveys a strong feeling of admiration and respect.

you deserve the highest accolades

Suggests the recipient warrants significant recognition and praise.

FAQs

How can I use "my highest compliment" in a sentence?

You can use "my highest compliment" to emphasize sincere praise. For example, "That's "my highest compliment"."

What is a more formal alternative to "my highest compliment"?

A more formal alternative could be "I offer my utmost admiration", which expresses deep respect and approval.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "my highest compliment"?

It is appropriate when you want to convey the most sincere and positive feedback you can give, especially for exceptional accomplishments.

What does it mean when someone says "that's my highest compliment"?

It means the speaker is giving the most sincere and positive praise they can offer, indicating they hold the subject in very high regard.