🐎 Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” essentially means one should graciously accept gifts without scrutinizing them or wondering about their value. Skipping the equine dentistry, this idiom has been around since St. Jerome’s biblical commentary (circa A.D. 420) on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. It draws from the knowledge that a horse’s age can be determined by examining its teeth; hence, uncovering if the ‘gift’ is an old nag instead of a young colt. This nugget of wisdom transcends cultures, appearing in French, Italian, Portuguese, and more!
Related and Similar Terms
- Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Be grateful for what you receive and refrain from criticising your benefactor.
- Take what you get: Appreciate what’s given without complaints.
- Beggers can’t be choosers: Those in need should be grateful for whatever they can get.
“Never look a gift horse in the mouth” seems like an ancient way to say, “Hey, don’t be ungrateful, okay?”
Synonyms
- Accept it as is
- Be grateful
- Appreciate the gesture
Antonyms
- Question the gift
- Be ungrateful
- Criticize the giver
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Looking a gift horse in the mouth is like scanning the barcode of a present—it totally misses the festive point!” – Gail Givewell
Proverbs
- “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Aesop
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry and Movies
- Literature: “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens – Pip learns to be grateful for the people around him.
- Book: “Thanks a Thousand” by A.J. Jacobs – An inspiring journey of expressing gratitude to every person involved in making his morning cup of coffee.
- Song: “Thank You” by Dido – A heartfelt song about appreciating the little things.
- Poetry: “Gratitude” by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
- Movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life” – A timeless tale of gratitude and recognizing one’s true good fortune.
Embrace each gift with gratitude and a smile, for in this simple act lies profound appreciation and happiness.
