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

You are a Job's comforter, and ought to be called Bildad the Shuhite.

From Glories of Spain by Wood, Charles W. (William)

"You're a Job's comforter," said I, somewhat tartly, such a speech as Billy's only sharpening the edge of adversity, to my thinking.

From Palm Tree Island by Strang, Herbert

I passed on, leaving my Job's comforter; but a surly watchdog got upon my track, and I had much difficulty in keeping it from biting me.

From The Story of John G. Paton Or Thirty Years Among South Sea Cannibals by Paton, James