com‧pli‧ment /ˈkɒmpləmənt /

compliment on
on compliments her appearance
compliment to
It’s a great compliment to the band that he came out of retirement to interview them.
take something as a compliment
You should take it as a compliment when I fall asleep in your company - it means I'm relaxed.
COLLOCATIONS
VERBS
pay/give somebody a compliment
She complained that her husband never paid her any compliments anymore.
mean something as a compliment
When I said she’d lost weight, I meant it as a compliment.
get/receive a compliment
The exhibition has received a lot of compliments from the public.
accept a compliment (=show that you are pleased to have been given a compliment)
She accepted his compliment graciously.
ADJECTIVES
a great compliment
He said he loved my paintings, which was a great compliment.
the highest compliment (=the best thing you can say)
The highest compliment you can pay an actor is to say they don’t look as if they are acting.
an unexpected compliment
John blushed at the unexpected compliment.
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fish for compliments
to try to make someone say something nice about you, usually by first criticizing yourself – used to
show disapproval
Emma, you know you don't look fat in that dress. Are you fishing for compliments?
return the compliment
to behave towards someone in the same way as they have behaved towards you
Thank you so much for your help - I hope one day I'll be able to return/repay the compliment (= do
something good for you).
They didn’t take a lot of notice of me, and I returned the compliment.
back-handed compliment British English, left-handed compliment American English something that
someone says to you which is nice and not nice at the same time
‘You’ve got a brain. Try using it.’ ‘Thanks for the back-handed compliment!’
 Formulas For Giving Compliments
1. Your + Noun Phrase + is/looks + (really) + Adjective
 Your dress is really elegant.
 Your hair looks great!
2. I + (really) + like/love + Noun Phrase
 I really like your earrings.
 I love this vegetable soup!
3. This/That + is + (really) + Adjective + Noun Phrase
 This is a really nice painting.
 That’s an awesome car.
4. What a/an + Adjective + Noun Phrase
 What a lovely apartment!
 What a cute puppy!
How to Accept a Compliment
 Thank you.
 Why, thank you! (with slight surprise)
 Thank you for saying that.
 I appreciate that.
 I needed to hear that. (after having a bad day or feeling inadequate)
 You’re so sweet.
 I’ll tell her you said that. / She’ll be happy to hear that. (accepting indirectly)
Standard responses
Thank you, that's very kind!
Thank you, that's very kind/ nice/ sweet of you (to say so).
Showing surprise
Oh, I've had this for ages.
Really? It was only cheap!
Sharing responsibility
Thanks! Mark worked on it too.
It wasn't all my work. Mark gave me a lot help.
That's very kind. I'll tell Mark - he helped me loads.
Returning the compliment
Oh, thanks very much! You look very nice too - I like your coat.
Humorous responses
What do you want? https://www.happier.com/blog/nice-things-to-say-100-compliments