How to Recognize When Someone Is Secretly Trying to Put You in Your Place — and What to Do About It

Backhanded compliments (“You’re surprisingly good at that…”)

Interruptions or talking over you

Eye rolls, smirks, or sighs

Sarcasm disguised as humor

Unnecessary corrections or exclusions

Stay calm and grounded

Name the behavior without aggression (“I noticed you interrupted me.”)

Set clear boundaries (“Please allow me to finish.”)

Ask clarifying questions (“What do you mean by that?”)

Choose your battles — sometimes silence or walking away is powerful

Build a support system to validate your experience