pay a compliment

Idioms  

1. Express praise or commendation to someone, as in Meredith wanted to pay Christopher a compliment so she told him she liked his new haircut. This expression uses pay in the sense of “give something that is due.” [c. 1700]

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Example Sentences

I considered interrupting her routine to pay a compliment.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2020

In one segment of the show, Fallon brought in admirers from the street to pay a compliment to a portrait of the First Lady.

From Time • Jan. 12, 2017

Victory for Azmeel would pay a compliment to another Derby possible, Godolphin's Chabal, who had John Gosden's colt comfortably held when they finished first and second at Sandown last month.

From The Guardian • May 6, 2010

I wish to pay a compliment to the reporters of the various newspapers who do present the facts in the same news column, correctly.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Your friend’s speech was very...interesting,” she said, trying to pay a compliment but struggling to do so.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti