non-apology apology

non-apology apology

A statement that shares qualities with a typical apology but lacks admission of wrongdoing or an indication of remorse. Often used in public relations. I don't think he's sorry at all. I mean, come on—"I'm sorry you feel that way" is a classic non-apology apology.
See also: apology
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • have (someone's or something's) good points
  • have your good, plus, etc. points
  • have (someone's or something's) plus points
  • take (one's) life
  • take life
  • take somebody's life
  • take someone's life
  • take your own life
  • without a backward glance
  • in cold blood
References in periodicals archive
In a perfect example of the art of the non-apology apology, the DJ put out a statement earlier this morning.
This is a classic non-apology apology. It is an attempt to offload his responsibility onto anyone else.
"Lil Wayne with a classic DC-esque non-apology apology," (https://twitter.com/AmyAlex63/status/794151489102983168) wrote one user.
You can formulate a non-apology apology very easily--"I'm sorry you feel that way," "I'm sorry for the collateral damage," and so forth.
The tension between the lure of these benefits and the risks that apologies entail has led to the current state of affairs: a stasis point colloquially known as the "non-apology apology"--"a statement that has the form of an apology but does not express the expected contrition." (41) One commentator incisively illustrated the problem with this type of apology by asking a rhetorical question: "Can we sincerely express remorse, contrition and self-criticism if we believe we did nothing wrong?" (42) Non-apology apologies purport to convey the appearance of empathy, but actually ring hollow in the ears of many patients who have experienced adverse outcomes.
MILITANT lawmakers on Thursday criticized President Benigno Aquino III for constantly refusing to be held fully accountable for the Mamasapano debacle, with one legislator saying his latest speech was a "non-apology apology."
In his non-apology apology, Arnn later clarified: "The State of Michigan sent a group of people down to my campus, with clipboards ...
Even worse is the formation of the non-apology apology. Saying you are "sorry that someone is sorry about something you might have done but don't want to admit it" has become an art form of epic proportions.
Sport is leading the way with the non-apology apology.
It's good to see you took advice from his book and issued a real apology, not a non-apology apology."
* Kissinger's response to the "gas chambers" remark is something less even than a non-apology apology. The quotations "must be viewed in the context of the time," he said.
It was, for all the tears, a non-apology apology last week by Marion Jones.
On August 25, a mere week and a day after his non-apology apology, our president issued Executive Order 13100 and created The President's Council on Food Safety.