History Main / IllTakeThatAsACompliment

* A {{Subverted|Trope}} {{Inver|tedTrope}}sion happens in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' during Renji and Uryu's fight against [[MadScientist Szayelaporro]] when he makes duplicates of them complete with identical abilities. Renji solves the problem by [[LimitBreak bringing out his Bankai]][[note]]which is [[Film/BlackDynamite a big-ass snake]][[/note]], causing his duplicates to do the same and destroy the room. When Uryu finds out Renji did this on purpose, he compares him to Ichigo[[note]]who once tried a [[ZanyScheme similarly-moronic strategy]] of cutting a [[Kaiju Menos Grande]] apart from the feet up until its head was low enough to the ground he could hit it[[/note]].

* A {{Subverted|Trope}} {{Inver|tedTrope}}sion happens in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' during Renji and Uryu's fight against [[MadScientist Szayelaporro]] when he makes duplicates of them complete with identical abilities. Renji solves the problem by [[LimitBreak bringing out his Bankai]][[note]]which is [[Film/BlackDynamite a big-ass snake]][[/note]], causing his duplicates to do the same and destroy the room. When Uryu finds out Renji did this on purpose, he compares him to Ichigo.

'''W. Somerset Maugham:'''I'm prepared to take that as a compliment.

---> '''Prosecutor''': "I thought you Jews were supposed to be smart. But here you are sounding just like the Negro."
---> '''Friedman''': "Why, thank you, Willis. That's the nicest compliment you could have given me."

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': In ''Literature/{{Jingo}}'', Vimes responds to [[UpperClassTwit Lord Rust]] telling him "You are no gentleman" with "I ''knew'' there was something about me I liked."

* ''Literature/MurderInMesopotamia'': When Poirot describes how David Emmot has the methodical temperament that would be suitable for a murderer, Emmot wryly (yet sincerely) says "Thank you."

--->'''The Doctor:''' Blimey, you look beautiful ... considering.\\

'''Rose:''' I ''think'' that's a compliment ...

* ''Series/{{NCIS}}''. A random character asks newcomer Bishop "What's it like working for Gibbs? I hear he's a real hardass." Gibbs, who is of course, standing [[RightBehindMe right behind him]], grins at hearing this, indicating that he's invoking this trope.

-->'''Javert''': ...we've all been operating under the horrible misconception that you reformed. I shall set the record strait: [[FelonyMisdemeanor You are evil incarnate]].\\

* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', Zuko calls Ty Lee a "Circus Freak". Though upset, she takes the insult as a compliment because she sought a new life in the circus away from blending in with her identical sisters.

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ittaac_trope_lilly_spectrum.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:Fair enough.]]

A popular stock phrase found in both InsultBackfire and ComplimentBackfire. The setup is as follows: someone is the target of an ambiguous statement that they're ''fully aware'' is legitimate (if rude) praise, your standard {{backhanded compliment}}, or just a plain old insult. For any number of reasons -- pride in the trait that is being mocked, not having the energy or drive to deal properly address the rudeness, etc. -- they decide to interpret it as the former and make that clearly known with a smug or deadpan "I'll take that as a compliment."

Depending on how the person actually meant the statement and if they have a chance to reply, they could be anything from incredulous at the target's supposed denseness, take it as a confirmation of egotism, or be confused that the other person would see it as anything ''but'' a compliment.

A popular stock phrase found in both InsultBackfire and ComplimentBackfire. The setup is as follows: someone is the target of an ambiguous statement that they're ''fully aware'' can be taken as either legitimate (if rude) praise or your standard {{backhanded compliment}}. For any number of reasons -- pride in the trait that is being mocked, not having the energy or drive to deal properly address the rudeness, etc. -- they decide to interpret it as the former and make that clearly known with a smug or deadpan "I'll take that as a compliment."

A popular stock phrase found in both InsultBackfire and ComplimentBackfire. The setup is as follows: someone is the target of an ambiguous statement that they're ''fully aware'' can be taken as either legitimate (if rude) praise or your standard {{backhanded compliment}}. For any number of reasons -- pride in the trait that is being mocked, not having the energy or drive to deal properly address the rudeness, etc. -- they decide to interpret it as the former and make that clearly known with a smug or deadpan "I'll take that as a compliment." Depending on how the person actually meant the statement and if they have a chance to reply, they could be anything from incredulous at the target's supposed denseness, take it as a confirmation of egotism, or be confused that the other person would see it as anything ''but'' a compliment.

Kind of between the InsultBackfire and ComplimentBackfire, the reaction of ''smart'' people when addressed with an ambiguous compliment (which can be, often intentionally so, a genuine compliment and a [[BackhandedCompliment backhanded one]] at the same time). Compare ICanLiveWithThat. Contrast YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame.

-->'''Renji:''' Shut up! I don't take that as a compliment!

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ittaac_trope_lilly_spectrum.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Fair enough.]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ittaac_trope_lilly_spectrum.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Fair enough.]]

* ''Flash III: Deadly Nightshade''

* In the film ''Marshall'', Thurgood Marshall and Sam Friedman are defending a black man accused of raping and trying to kill his white employer. Towards the end of the trial, as the defense have poked major holes in the woman's story and the possibility of acquittal is very real, the prosecutor offers Friedman a deal. Friedman comes to him a day later to reject it.

* ''Webcomic/{{Roommates}}'' (MegaCrossover FanWebcomic) -- When James forced his Roommate to greet the new neighbors with a gift basket... again.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' his this exchange between the [[TheUndead Forsaken]] and [[OurElvesAreBetter Blood Elf]] faction leaders after the Galakras encounter in the Siege of Orgrimmar.

* In the ''Literature/TheHardyBoys'' book ''The Caribbean Cruise Caper'' when IceQueen Elizabeth is (wrongfully) suggested as a potential suspect at the end of the book she's vaguely flattered to think that she could be considered that adventurous.

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': In ''Discworld/{{Jingo}}'', Vimes responds to [[UpperClassTwit Lord Rust]] telling him "You are no gentleman" with "I ''knew'' there was something about me I liked."

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* ''Disney/HomeOnTheRange''

* Deliberately invoked way back in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianDawn''. After a GDI-aligned player is framed for destroying a village by the [[VillainWithGoodPublicity very media-savvy Brotherhood of Nod,]] a bemused Lieutenant Carter notes that they must finally consider you a real threat:

-->--''VideoGame/MortalKombatX''

'''Tulio:''' I fought your sister, that's a compliment.

-->'''Narrator:''' As Yankee Doodle Pigeon breaks the morning stillness while flying another dangerous mission, he keeps a wary eye out for...the vicious Vulture Squadron. Skippered by the deadly, diabolical, despicable demon of the skyways--Dick Dastardly!\\

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* Deliberately invoked way back in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianDawn''. After a GDI-aligned player is framed for destroying a village by the [[VillainWithGoodPublicity very media-savvy Brotherhood of Nod,]] a bemused Lieutenant Carter notes that they must finally consider you a real nuisance:
-->'''Carter:''' Welcome to the big time, Commander. You haven't really arrived until Kane has sicced his media ninjas on you at least once.