Job's comforter

American  

[johbz] / dʒoʊbz /

noun

1. a person who unwittingly or maliciously depresses or discourages someone while attempting to be consoling.

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Job's comforter British  

noun

1. a person who, while purporting to give sympathy, succeeds only in adding to distress

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Etymology

Origin of Job's comforter

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Maurice is Tom's sausage-maker, but he has now emerged as a truly biblical figure, Job's comforter.

From The Guardian • Apr. 30, 2013

In the final sections of the book, Zorn, 32, obviously failing in energy and spirit,' takes the advice of Job's comforter: to curse heaven and die.

From Time Magazine Archive

We can both of us play Job's comforter to the other because we're pretty good friends.

From Young People's Pride A Novel by Benét, Stephen Vincent

The captain of her was a Job’s comforter.

From A Sailor of King George by Bevan, A. Beckford

"You are a veritable Job's comforter," he said with a forced smile.

From The Brown Mask by Brebner, Percy James