quite a compliment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite a compliment" is both correct and commonly used in written English.
An example sentence: "She told me that my painting was quite a compliment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Quite a compliment.

The New York Times - Sports

It was quite a compliment.

The Guardian

We took that as quite a compliment".

The Guardian

"Thank you, that's quite a compliment".

The Guardian - Music

"It's quite a compliment," she smiles.

The Guardian - Music

"That's quite a compliment, in a way".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This isn't quite a backhanded compliment but he also meant to put the book in its place.

The Guardian - Books

I was expecting some obscure denim tip off but, no, Graham got a few pairs of Topshop jeans (and some of their chinos which she says earned quite a few compliments).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For a literary writer like Straub, this doesn't quite sound like a compliment.

The Guardian - Books

(That's not quite as much of a compliment as it sounds; Hitchcock once said that actors should be treated like cattle).

The New York Times - Arts

"Your sentences are so long," said a friend who teaches English at a local college, and I could tell she didn't quite mean it as a compliment.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite a compliment" to acknowledge praise or positive feedback that is particularly meaningful or noteworthy.

Common error

Be mindful of the speaker's tone and context. "Quite a compliment" can be used sarcastically to express the opposite of genuine admiration. Ensure the context clearly indicates sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite a compliment" functions as an evaluative expression used to acknowledge and emphasize the significance of praise or positive feedback. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase typically follows a statement of praise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Sport

18%

Lifestyle

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite a compliment" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to acknowledge and appreciate praise or positive feedback. According to Ludwig, the expression is most frequently encountered in news and media, sports, and lifestyle sources. Although generally neutral in tone, it is important to be aware of the potential for sarcastic usage, where the intended meaning is the opposite of genuine admiration. Consider alternative phrases such as "high praise" or "great flattery" to adjust the level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high praise

Replaces "compliment" with a more concise noun phrase, emphasizing the level of admiration.

great flattery

Replaces "compliment" with "flattery", highlighting the positive and potentially exaggerated nature of the praise.

significant accolade

Substitutes "compliment" with "accolade", indicating a formal or official form of praise.

form of admiration

Highlights the feeling of admiration behind the compliment.

mark of esteem

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and abstract expression of respect.

genuine appreciation

Replaces "compliment" with "appreciation", emphasizing the authentic and heartfelt nature of the positive feedback.

signal honor

Indicates that the compliment is a great privilege or distinction.

real encouragement

Focuses on the uplifting effect of the compliment.

remarkable tribute

Emphasizes that the compliment is a sign of respect or gratitude.

pleasant acknowledgement

Acknowledges the agreeable nature of the compliment.

FAQs

How can I use "quite a compliment" in a sentence?

You can use "quite a compliment" to acknowledge praise or flattery you've received. For example: "Being compared to Shakespeare is "quite a compliment"".

What does "quite a compliment" mean?

"Quite a compliment" means that someone has said something very flattering or praiseworthy. It indicates that the compliment is significant and appreciated.

Which is more emphatic, "a compliment" or "quite a compliment"?

"Quite a compliment" is more emphatic than "a compliment". It suggests the praise is particularly noteworthy or meaningful.

What can I say instead of "quite a compliment"?

You can use alternatives like "high praise", "great flattery", or "significant accolade" depending on the context.