veiled insult
Disguised verbal jab
A veiled insult is criticism or mockery disguised as something innocent—a compliment, observation, or joke.
The speaker maintains deniability while the target (and often bystanders) recognizes the hostile intent: What a brave choice of outfit.
Unlike direct insults, veiled insults let the insulter claim innocence if confronted.
See also backhanded compliment.
- backhandedDeceptively unkind praise
- left-handed complimentInsult disguised as praise
- snideDerisively insinuating
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- digUnearth by shoveling
jab · just saying · passive-aggressive · sarcasm · barb · slight · insinuation · cutting · underhanded · condescending · patronizing · bless your heart · with all due respect · smirk · catty · shade · sideways · sneer
- snarksarcasm, snark, jab, barb, dig
- low blowscheap shot, low blow, sucker punch, below the belt, hit below the belt
veiled insultstraight talk
Honest, direct communication
cards on the table · what you see is what you get · calling a spade a spade
veil, veiled, veils, veiling, unveiled, unveil, unveils, unveiling, insult