Handy expressions of approval (8)
I believe the answer is:
plaudits
This might be a double definition.
'handy expressions' is the first definition.
'plaudits' can be an answer for 'expressions' (I have seen 'Expressions of praise ' mean 'plaudits' so perhaps 'expressions' could also mean 'plaudits'). I'm not certain of the 'handy' bit.
'approval' is the second definition.
(I know that plaudits is a type of approval)
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for plaudits that I've seen before include "Accolades" , "Enthusiastic approval" , "Emphatic expressions of approval" , "Acts of acclaim" , "Expressions of praise" .)