dubious honour
Unwanted notable achievement
A dubious honour is recognition or distinction that brings more embarrassment than pride—an achievement you'd rather not claim.
Being voted "most likely to be late" or holding the record for worst performance qualifies: He had the dubious honour of being the first player ejected from the tournament.
The phrase signals ironic awareness that what's technically an honour is actually unflattering.
Also spelled dubious honor.
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- paradoxicalSeemingly absurd yet true
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- Pyrrhic victorySuccess with crippling cost
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
mixed blessing · infamy · backhanded compliment · left-handed compliment · ill repute · notoriety · ambivalence · wooden spoon · recognition · consolation prize · stigma · badge of shame · iffy · mixed feelings · double-edged sword · poisoned chalice · uncertain · equivocal
dubious honourbadge of honour
Recognition worn proudly
point of pride · crowning glory · crowning achievement · prestigious award · feather in one's cap
dubious, dubiously, dubiousness, dubiety, doubtful, doubtfully, doubtfulness, doubtless, honour