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1[[quoteright:250:[[Webcomic/LilySpectrum https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ittaac_trope_lilly_spectrum.png]]]]
2[[caption-width-right:250:Fair enough.\
3[-[[https://twitter.com/LilySpectrum/status/1453354452631625732 Source]]-]]]
4
5->'''Sonya Blade:''' You're just like your father.\
6'''Cassie Cage:''' I'll take that as a compliment!\
7'''Sonya:''' ''Just'' proved my point...
8-->-- ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX''
9
10A popular stock phrase found in both InsultBackfire and ComplimentBackfire. The setup is as follows: someone is the target of an ambiguous statement that could easily be seen as insult, praise, a {{backhanded compliment}}, or even just a simple observation. For any number of reasons -- pride in the trait that is being talked of, not having the energy or drive to deal properly address the rudeness, etc. -- they decide to interpret it as something positive and make that clearly known by replying with "I'll take that as a compliment."
11
12Depending on how the person actually meant the statement and if they have a chance to reply back, 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.
13
14Compare ICanLiveWithThat. Contrast YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame.
15----
16!!Examples
17
18[[foldercontrol]]
19
20[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
21* 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]].
22-->'''Renji:''' Shut up! I don't consider that a compliment!
23-->'''Uryu:''' Of course! It wasn't meant as one!
24[[/folder]]
25
26[[folder:Audio Drama]]
27* In the ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' story "The Heart of the Battle", the scheming Cardinal Ollistra says the War Doctor is "a sentimental old fool, who becomes too attached to other species" and he retorts "Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment." (She follows it up by saying that, despite that, she knows the Doctor's view of the Time War is basically alligned with hers, and ''that'' gets a YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame.)
28[[/folder]]
29
30[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
31* ''WesternAnimation/HomeOnTheRange''
32-->'''Piggy:''' Gee, you're the biggest cow I've ever saw!\
33'''Maggie:''' Well, if you're in charge, I'll take that as a compliment.\
34'''Piggy''': Uh...\
35'''Maggie''': And if not, I guess I'll just have to sit on you.\
36'''Piggy''': MOM!!!!!!\
37'''Maggie''': Hey! I'm only kidding!
38* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'':
39-->'''Miguel:''' You fight like my sister!\
40'''Tulio:''' I've fought your sister, that's a compliment!
41[[/folder]]
42
43[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
44* ''Film/{{Amy|1998}}''
45-->'''Bill Trendle:''' Jesus, lady, you're worse than my wife!\
46'''Tanya Rammus:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
47* ''Film/FlashIIIDeadlyNightshade''
48-->'''Dr. Desmond Powell:''' ''(wolf whistles)''\
49'''Rebecca Frost:''' I'll take that as a compliment, you sexist pig.
50* ''Film/HighSchoolMusical2''
51-->'''Sharpay Evans:''' When did you become... one of them?\
52'''Ryan Evans:''' You know, I'll take that as a compliment.
53* ''Film/JamesBond'':
54** ''Film/QuantumOfSolace''
55--->'''James Bond:''' You know I was just wondering what South America would look like if nobody gave a damn about coke or communism. It always impressed me the way you boys would carve this place up.\
56'''Felix Leiter:''' I'll take that as a compliment, coming from a Brit.
57** ''Film/{{Spectre}}'':
58*** Said word-for-word by C when M confronts him about [[spoiler:the deactivation of the Double-O program]]; M isn't amused.
59--->'''M:''' You're a cocky little bastard, aren't you.\
60'''C:''' ''(Laughs)''...I'll take that as a compliment.\
61'''M:''' I wouldn't.
62* In the film ''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.
63--> '''Prosecutor''': I thought you Jews were supposed to be smart. But here you are sounding just like the Negro.
64--> '''Friedman''': Why, thank you, Willis. That's the nicest compliment you could have given me.
65* ''Film/NowYouSeeMe''
66-->'''Merritt [=McKinney=]''': If by "has-been" you're referring to me, I just wanna say I'm flattered, because I always considered myself a never-was.
67* ''Film/ThePatriot2000''
68-->'''Gen. Lord Cornwallis:''' This is hardly the conduct of a gentleman!\
69'''Col. Benjamin Martin:''' If the conduct of your officers is the measure of a gentleman, I'll take that as a compliment.
70* ''Film/TheRazorsEdge (1946)''
71-->'''W. Somerset Maugham:''' If you're suggesting I was her lover, you're mistaken.\
72'''French Criminal Investigator:''' It would be no affair of mine. And without wishing to say anything offensive... I must add that, from what I've heard of her proclivities... I should say that you were not her type.\
73'''W. Somerset Maugham:''' I'm prepared to take that as a compliment.
74* ''Film/TheSoundOfMusic''
75-->'''Capt. Von Trapp:''' If the Nazis do take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that you will be the entire trumpet section.\
76'''Herr Zeller:''' You flatter me, Captain.\
77'''Capt. Von Trapp:''' How clumsy of me. I meant to accuse you.
78* ''Film/TradingPlaces''
79-->'''Randolph Duke:''' Mother always said you were greedy.\
80'''Mortimer Duke:''' She meant it as a compliment.
81[[/folder]]
82
83[[folder:Literature]]
84* In the third ''Literature/CiaphasCain'' book, Cain says that "there's only room for one lethally dangerous woman in [his] life". This is accompanied by a footnote from the book's in-universe editor, Cain's close personal friend (and sometimes lover) Amberley Vail: "Which I decided to take as a compliment."
85* In ''Literature/{{Corpies}}'', Titan's response to Corbin slandering Bubble Bubble is to note that by making himself a target for extremist pro-super groups and still expecting protection, he is showing a lot of trust in the Hero community.
86* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': In ''Literature/{{Jingo}}'', [[UpperClassTwit Lord Rust]] tells Vimes, "You are no gentleman." Vimes replies, "I ''knew'' there was something about me I liked."
87* 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.
88* ''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."
89[[/folder]]
90
91[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
92* ''Series/ThirdRockFromTheSun'':
93-->'''Strudwick''': Dick, without your cowardice and courage we wouldn't be right back where we started!\
94'''Dick''': Thank you, Strudwick, I'll take that as a compliment.\
95'''Strudwick''': I meant it as an insult!\
96'''Dick''': Too late, it's a compliment!
97* ''Series/ThirtyRock'':
98-->'''Liz''': God, Jack, why are you being such a wang about this?\
99'''Jack''': I'll take that as a compliment. An Wang, the founder of Wang Computers, is one of the greatest businessmen of the 20th century! And you're the one being a lowercase wang, Lemon.
100* ''Series/AlteredCarbon''. In "Phantom Lady", Kovacs complains about the BountyHunter sent to bring him to Horace Axley, who did so by shooting Kovacs InTheBack, cutting out his stack and needlecasting it to her boss on another planet.
101-->'''Kovacs:''' She's a psychopath!
102-->'''Axley:''' Well, [[NotSoDifferentRemark coming from you]], I'll assume that's a compliment.
103* ''Series/{{CSI}}'' episode "Fannysmackin' "
104-->'''Greg:''' Sara...\
105'''Sara:''' I didn't think you could see me\
106'''Greg:''' I can't... I know that Sidle scent...\
107'''Sara:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
108* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
109** ''[[Recap/DoctorWhoS15E6TheInvasionOfTime The Invasion of Time]]''
110--->'''[[TheQuisling Kelner]]:''' You are considered to be dangerous, a threat to the new regime.\
111'''[[HeroicBystander Gomer]]:''' I consider that to be a compliment, Kelner. Thank you. I may be getting old, but if I had a weapon to use against these invaders, I'd--\
112'''Kelner:''' You'd use it. Yes. Yes, you would. I think we'd be a lot safer with you out of the way.
113** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E3TheUnquietDead "The Unquiet Dead"]]:
114--->'''The Doctor:''' Blimey, you look beautiful... considering.\
115'''Rose:''' Considering what?\
116'''The Doctor:''' That you're human.\
117'''Rose:''' I ''think'' that's a compliment...
118** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E4DaleksInManhattan "Daleks in Manhattan"]]:
119--->'''Dalek Caan:''' [[AC:You think like a Dalek.]]\
120'''Mr. Diagoras:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
121* ''Series/DowntonAbbey'':
122** When snarky old ladies collide...
123--->'''Lady Grantham:''' You are quite wonderful the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal.\
124'''Mrs Crawley:''' I take that as a compliment.\
125'''Lady Grantham:''' I must have said it wrong.
126** And vice versa...
127--->'''Mrs Crawley''': And must you always sound like the sister of UsefulNotes/MarieAntoinette?\
128'''Lady Grantham''': The Queen of Naples was a stalwart figure. I take it as a compliment.\
129'''Mrs Crawley''': You take ''everything'' as a compliment.\
130'''Lady Grantham''': I advise you to do the same. It saves many an awkward moment.
131* ''Series/HolbyCity'' episode "Invasion"
132-->'''Percy 'Abra' Durant:''' You're a fine surgeon, Mr Jordan. But you have the charm of a salt-encrusted slug.\
133'''Nick Jordan:''' I'll take that as a compliment.\
134'''Percy 'Abra' Durant:''' I knew you would.
135* In one episode of ''{{Series/Monk}}'', "Mr. Monk Fights City Hall", a reporter is very proud of his talent to take nearly anything that is said as a compliment.
136* In one ''Series/MurderSheWrote'' episode, the InspectorLestrade of the Week has been very disparaging about Jessica's writing and involvement in the case. At the end he says she may not be much of a writer, but she's a good detective. She replies "I'll take that in the spirit in which it was intended ... I think."
137* In the early days of ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'', whenever Joel and the Bots would tell the Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank (Dr. Erhardt before him) how evil they were, the two mads would simply reply "Thank you!"
138* ''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.
139* ''Series/NewsRadio'' episode "French Diplomacy"
140-->'''Dave:''' Bill is certainly not John F. Kennedy.\
141'''Bill:''' I'll take that as a compliment, because if I was, I'd be dead now.
142* ''Series/{{Numb3rs}}'': In one episode, Don is being interrogated by an FBI Internal Affairs bureaucrat. A season or so earlier, the same bureaucrat had dealt with Charlie's violation of security and his fight to get his clearance reinstated. Don gets increasingly irritated and snarky with the bureaucrat, and ends up walking out. As he's leaving, the bureaucrat takes (he thinks) one last shot:
143-->'''Bureaucrat:''' You know, you're a lot like your brother.\
144'''Don:''' ''(chuckles as he walks out)'' I'll take that as a compliment.
145* ''Series/QueerAsFolkUS'':
146-->'''Vic:''' Once upon a time I was a pretty decent chef.\
147'''Debbie:''' 'Decent?' He was another Sara Lee!\
148'''Vic:''' I'll take that as the compliment I'm sure was intended.
149* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'':
150** "My Cookie Pants" has a rare example of JD holding his own against Dr. Cox, this time with Perry ranting about how much he doesn't care about J.D. and Elliot's relationship.
151--->'''Dr. Cox''': What can I say? I just wish you were at home with her.\
152'''J.D.''': (''smiles'') [[InsultBackfire You and me both.]]\
153'''Dr. Cox''': That was an insult.\
154'''J.D.''': I know. I thought if I took it as a compliment it would drive you insane and you'd go away.\
155'''Dr. Cox''': (''grits his teeth and walks away'') [[OutGambitted Damn it!]]
156* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "Life Line"
157-->'''Dr. Zimmerman:''' Well, the last beautiful woman to walk in here turned out to be ''him''.\
158'''The Doctor:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
159* ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episodes
160** "A Night in Sickbay"
161--->'''Dr. Phlox:''' My children all left the nest years ago, captain.\
162'''Archer:''' I would have never guessed. You don't look that old.\
163'''Dr. Phlox:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
164** "Azati Prime"
165--->'''Ensign Travis Mayweather:''' (''Instructing Archer in flying the Xindi shuttle'') Good. You're starting to think like an Insectoid.\
166'''Captain Jonathan Archer:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
167
168[[/folder]]
169
170[[folder:Music]]
171* Music/ChildishGambino uses this line in "3005", but then [[SubvertedTrope immediately subverts the sentiment]] to highlight his [[LonelyAtTheTop loneliness despite his riches and the presumed social clout it can afford]].
172-->''"My god, [[AmbiguousSyntax you pay for your friends?]]"\
173I'll take that as a compliment\
174Got a house full of homies\
175Why I feel so the opposite?''
176[[/folder]]
177
178[[folder:Video Games]]
179* 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,]] an amused Lieutenant Carter notes that they must finally consider you a real threat:
180-->'''Carter:''' Welcome to the big time, Commander. You haven't really arrived until [[BigBad Kane]] has sicced his media ninjas on you at least once.
181* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''
182-->'''Warden:''' You are a heartless shrew, you know that?\
183'''[[TokenEvilTeammate Morrigan]]:''' Yes, yes. I shall take that as a compliment, whether intended or not.
184* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'': Solas' reaction to Iron Bull's comment on his efficient, no-frills style compared to most mages. Dorian's reaction when Sera asks if there are more Tevinters like him; "like him" meaning "keeping their magic rubbish to themselves."
185* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''
186-->'''Terra:''' Brother? At first glance, I thought he was some bodybuilder who had strayed from his gym...\
187'''Sabin:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
188** Even funnier in the GBA dub.
189--->'''Terra:''' Brother? For a moment I thought he was another of Vargas' bears!\
190'''Sabin:''' A bear? I'll, uh, take that as a compliment.
191* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy [[{{Prequel}} Duodecim]]''
192-->'''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Squall]]:''' Typical dirty Chaos trick.\
193'''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX Kuja]]:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
194* ''VideoGame/HeavyRain'' (RabidCop page quote)
195-->'''FBI Agent Norman Jayden:''' Blake, you are an unbalanced, psychopathic asshole!\
196'''Lieutenant Carter Blake:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
197* ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' During a post-mission exchange in the Nintendo DS port of the game, Sonic responds as such after Shadow lets slip that his motivation behind giving Sonic a mission, having initially rationalized it as him wanting to see if Sonic had "gone soft," was to make sure that he and Tails wouldn't be endangering themselves by going forward—and then immediately trying to act indifferent upon having that fact pointed out.
198-->'''Shadow:''' Heh, looks like I don't need to be too worried.\
199'''Sonic:''' What was that?\
200'''Tails:''' Were you worried if we’d get hurt trying to rescue the Wisps?\
201'''Shadow:''' Hmph!\
202'''Sonic:''' I’ll just take that as a compliment.
203* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' his this exchange between the [[TheUndead Forsaken]] and [[OurElvesAreDifferent Blood Elf]] faction leaders after the Galakras encounter in the Siege of Orgrimmar.
204-->'''Sylvanas Windrunner:''' Oh, you're still here? I had kind of hoped you perished. You would make a very attractive corpse.\
205'''Lor'themar Theron:''' I will take that as a compliment.
206[[/folder]]
207
208[[folder:Web Animation]]
209* ''WebAnimation/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicCinematicUniverse'': In ''Shadow of the Sith'', the now older [[LoveableRogue Mission Vao]] uses this line when Varen, son of Revan/Logan and Bastila, says she's not quite what he expected her to be from his father's stories about her.
210[[/folder]]
211
212[[folder:Web Comics]]
213* Charlotte invokes this trope almost word-for-word in [[http://www.ladiesinwaitingcomic.co.uk/comic/271115/ this]] ''Webcomic/LadiesInWaiting'' strip.
214* ''Webcomic/{{Misfile}}'': Probably also qualifies as ComicallyMissingThePoint. Cassiel wants her human friend to have the best boyfriend possible... so she asks his opponent (Ash) to throw the race, making the potential boyfriend a [[http://www.misfile.com/misfile/2011-02-21 1 winner]].
215-->'''Ash:''' Only you could turn noble intentions into something so inherently dirty.
216-->'''Cassiel:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
217* ''Webcomic/{{Roommates}}'': When James forced his Roommate to greet the new neighbors with a gift basket... again.
218-->'''Javert''': ...we've all been operating under the horrible misconception that you reformed. I shall set the record straight: [[FelonyMisdemeanor You are evil incarnate]].\
219'''[[TheGadfly James]]''': I shall take that as a compliment.
220* ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'': When Captain Murtaugh is trying to determine how a BlobMonster can have SuperSenses.
221-->'''Murtaugh:''' Wait... is your entire body able to detect pressure waves?\
222'''Schlock:''' Your voice makes the floor tremble.\
223'''Murtaugh:''' That's the nicest thing anybody's said to me since I became captain.
224[[/folder]]
225
226[[folder:Western Animation]]
227* ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
228** 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.
229** ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'':
230--->'''Mako:''' Your best friend is a... polar bear dog? Somehow, that makes perfect sense.\
231'''Korra:''' I'll take that as a compliment, city boy.
232* The opening of the ''WesternAnimation/DastardlyAndMuttleyInTheirFlyingMachines'' episode "Camouflage Hoparoo":
233-->'''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!\
234'''Dastardly:''' You left out dashing and debonair! (''evil laugh'')
235* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'':
236-->'''Pacifica:''' Mabel sounds like an a fat old lady's name.\
237'''[[FunPersonified Mabel]]:''' I'll take that as a compliment!
238* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': From [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E19ZeroHour "Zero]] [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E20ZeroHourPartII Hour"]]:
239-->'''Thrawn:''' You have the heart of a rebel.\
240'''[[spoiler:Kallus]]:''' I'll take that as a compliment.
241[[/folder]]
242

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