Meaning and Origin of Idiom “to look a gift horse in the mouth”

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1725

To Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth meaning

The idiom “to look a gift horse in the mouth” can be used when somebody receives a gift but is ungrateful or doesn’t appreciate the gesture.

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Here are some examples that show you how to use this idiom:

  • That was a very thoughtful gift Tom gave you, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth!
  • You are looking a gift horse in the mouth, you should be more grateful for the present I gave you.
  • Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth when somebody does something nice for you, it is very rude.
  • I am not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I appreciate everything you have done for me.

This idiom has an interesting origin and I think by learning the origin of the idiom it will help you to remember it in the future.

A gift horse means a horse that has been given to somebody as a present. If you inspect the horses mouth it is considered to be very rude and ungrateful as you are looking at it to see if the horse lives up to your standard or is valuable to you.

A gift horse has become a metaphor for all gifts, so if you inspect a present to be certain it matches your standard it is considered to be very rude and unappreciative.

 

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