Giving and receiving compliments

To complement = to complete something (Strawberries and cream complement each other perfectly)

To compliment someone on something = to say that something is good (I really like your hair)
To pay a compliment (noun)

Other collocations:
Fishing for compliments
Unwelcome compliments
Non p.c. compliments

Giving compliments

I (really) like/love your…
That’s a lovely….Where did you get it?
Great job on the presentation
You look fantastic/stunning/amazing/awesome/gorgeous…!
That’s such a pretty/attractive/unusual/…….
Isn’t she lovely?
It’s out of this world!
You nailed it! / You crushed it! / You killed it!
You probably hear this all the time but I think your podcast is brilliant.
I love your website. Did you create it yourself?
If I may say so / if you don’t mind me saying… I think (formal)
I’ve just gotta say…. / I have to say….. (informal)
Ooooh yes!

Receiving compliments

Thank you so much
That’s very kind of you
Thank you for saying so
That’s so nice of you
Thanks for noticing
I appreciate that
How kind of you to say so

Deflecting compliments

Well, I don’t know about that.
Don’t be silly.
Thank you but I’m just doing my job.
Don’t patronise me.
Well you’re not so bad yourself.
Speak for yourself!
That’s beside the point.
What, this old thing?
Do you think so? I think it’s ugly, old, tatty…
It’s just something I threw on (clothes) / threw together (meal)

Polite avoidance of giving compliments

Mmmn an acquired taste
Mmm...one of a kind
Mmm… so unusual
Mmm...quite unique
I’ve never seen anything like it
What an interesting….
That’s so different.

Discussion

Do compliments make you uncomfortable?
Do you tend to respond positively or negatively to compliments?
How can you know when a compliment is genuine?
Are all compliments politically correct? How can you make it known they are unwelcome?

TAMBIÉN TE PUEDE INTERESAR: