I don't mean that in a bad way - a fake excuse to make your insult sound like a compliment, l

a fake excuse to make your insult sound like a compliment, like when you call someone a f***ing idiot but then say you meant it in a good way

I just called you a f***ing idiot, but I don't mean that in a bad way, I swear

You're the worst, but I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean it in a good way

I said your dog was a f***ing disaster, but I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean it in a good way