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

I made no answer to this Job's comforter, so he presently left me, placing the bowl upon the chair, with the rushlight beside it.

From Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

"You are rather a Job's comforter, Twining," said Beecher, tartly.

From Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2) A Man Of Our Day by Lever, Charles James

"You are rather a Job's comforter," laughed the colonel.

From At the Point of the Sword by Hayens, Herbert