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Glite Dictionary
drive-by compliment

drive-by compliment

16 7.9
A quick, friendly praise given to someone in passing
  • noun
  • /ˈdraɪvˌbaɪ ˈkəmplɪmənt/
  • Informal
translation icon : cumplido al pasar

Synonyms

compliment
vsdrive-by compliment
342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

is brief and casual, given unexpectedly in passing

Antonyms

to insult
  • Offensive
543 2.1

To say or do something rude to someone

criticism
512 3.0

Disapproval that points out faults

How Sincere

compliment
342 1.6
drive-by compliment
  • Informal
16 7.9

Surface Forms

drive-by compliment singular
drive-by compliments plural

Morphology

drive-by + compliment

The element 'compliment' is literal, and 'drive-by' conveys a brief, in-passing action so a learner who knows 'drive' and 'by' can partly infer the meaning 'a compliment given briefly or in passing.' However, 'drive-by' is a somewhat figurative, culturally loaded compound (from usages like 'drive-by shooting') and its adjectival extension to social acts is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without some exposure, making the transparency partial.

Etymology

The noun drive-by compliment comes from the image of a drive-by, someone passing in a car, quickly giving a compliment as they go. That's why the phrase now means a short, casual praise 'in passing' with little more conversation.