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

He proved nought but a Job's comforter next day, for when my lady pessimistically premised that both Carstares and her husband were undoubtedly hurt, he did not, as she expected he would, strive to reassure her, but gave a gloomy assent.

From Project Gutenberg

Jobā′tion, a tedious scolding.—Job's comforter, one who aggravates the distress of an unfortunate man he has come to comfort; Job's news, bad news; Job's post, the bearer of bad news.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly a sailing vessel came in like a Job's comforter, with the intelligence that the splendid new steamer Paramatta, which was about due with the mails from England, had on her first voyage gone ashore on the Anegada shoal near the island of Virgin Gorda, 60 nautical miles from St. Thomas, and with her 44440 passengers, and a valuable cargo, was in need of instant relief.

From Project Gutenberg

“Jill, you’re a Job’s comforter,” replied Peter.

From Project Gutenberg