[pay] a compliment

to convey one's admiration or approval for someone

At the awards ceremony, he paid a heartfelt compliment to his colleagues for their hard work.
It's always nice to pay a compliment to someone when you notice their efforts.
After the performance, the audience paid many compliments to the talented actors.
It's polite to pay a compliment when you appreciate someone's outfit or appearance.
He paid a sincere compliment to his partner for their exceptional cooking skills.