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

See Examples For:

Job's comforter

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

“Ef anything air to happen to the gurl,” continued ’Lije, rather in the strain of a Job’s comforter, “it will hev happened long ’fore this.”

From The Yellow Chief by Mayne Reid

"Oh, yes, it can," said Billy, assuming the role of Job's comforter.

From Army Boys in France or, From Training Camp to Trenches by Homer Randall

But had there been a Job's comforter at hand to put these black thoughts into my head they would not have helped me nor harmed me much.

From In the Sargasso Sea A Novel by Thomas A. (Thomas Allibone) Janvier