I'll Take That as a Compliment

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Kind of between the Insult Backfire and Compliment Backfire, the reaction of smart people when addressed with an ambiguous compliment (which can be, often intentionally so, a genuine compliment and a backhanded one at the same time).

Examples

Film

• Quantum of Solace

James Bond: You know I was just wondering what South America would look like if nobody gave a damn about coke or communism. It always impressed me the way you boys would carve this place up. Felix Leiter: I'll take that as a compliment, coming from a Brit.

• High School Musical 2

Sharpay Evans: When did you become... one of them? Ryan Evans: You know, I'll take that as a compliment.

• Home On the Range

Piggy: Gee, you're the biggest cow I've ever saw! Maggie: Well, if you're in charge, I'll take that as a compliment.

• Amy

Bill Trendle: Jesus, lady, you're worse than my wife! Tanya Rammus: I'll take that as a compliment.

• Flash III: Deadly Nightshade

Dr. Desmond Powell: (wolf whistles) Rebecca Frost: I'll take that as a compliment, you sexist pig.

Literature

• In the third Ciaphas Cain book, Cain says that "there's only room for one lethally dangerous woman in [his] life". This is accompanied by a footnote from the book's in-universe editor, Cain's close personal friend Amberley Vail: "Which I decided to take as a compliment."

Live Action TV

• Doctor Who, "The Unquiet Dead"

Doctor: Blimey, you look beautiful...considering. Rose: Considering what? Doctor: That you're human. Rose: I think that's a compliment...

• Doctor Who, "Daleks in Manhattan"

Dalek Caan: You think like a Dalek. Mr. Diagoras: I'll take that as a compliment.

• Star Trek Voyager episode "Life Line"

Dr. Zimmerman: Well, the last beautiful woman to walk in here turned out to be him. The Doctor: I'll take that as a compliment.

• Star Trek Enterprise episodes
  • "A Night in Sickbay"

Dr. Phlox: My children all left the nest years ago, captain. Archer: I would have never guessed. You don't look that old. Dr. Phlox: I'll take that as a compliment.

• • "Azati Prime"

Ensign Travis Mayweather: (Instructing Archer in flying the Xindi shuttle) Good. You're starting to think like an Insectoid. Captain Jonathan Archer: I'll take that as a compliment.

• Queer As Folk

Vic: Once upon a time I was a pretty decent chef. Debbie: 'Decent?' He was another Sara Lee! Vic: I'll take that as the compliment I'm sure was intended.

• News Radio episode "French Diplomacy"

Dave: Bill is certainly not John F. Kennedy. Bill: I'll take that as a compliment, because if I was, I'd be dead now.

• Holby City episode "Invasion"

Percy 'Abra' Durant: You're a fine surgeon, Mr Jordan. But you have the charm of a salt-encrusted slug. Nick Jordan: I'll take that as a compliment. Percy 'Abra' Durant: I knew you would.

• Downton Abbey - when snarky old ladies collide...

Lady Grantham: You are quite wonderful the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal. Mrs Crawley: I take that as a compliment. Lady Grantham: I must have said it wrong.

• CSI episode "Fannysmackin' "

Greg: Sara... Sara:I didn't think you could see me Greg:I can't...I know that Sidle scent... Sara:I'll take that as a compliment.

• 3rd Rock From the Sun:

Strudwick: Dick, without your cowardice and courage we wouldn't be right back where we started! Dick: Thank you, Strudwick, I'll take that as a compliment. Strudwick: I meant it as an insult! Dick: Too late, it's a compliment!

Video Games

• Final Fantasy VI

Terra: Brother? At first glance, I thought he was some bodybuilder who had strayed from his gym... Sabin: I'll take that as a compliment.

• Dissidia Final Fantasy Duodecim

Squall: Typical dirty Chaos trick. Kuja: I'll take that as a compliment.

• Heavy Rain (Rabid Cop page quote)

FBI Agent Norman Jayden: Blake, you are an unbalanced, psychopathic asshole! Lieutenant Carter Blake: I'll take that as a compliment.