Idiom
look a gift horse in the mouth
Meanings
To inspect, criticize, or judge a gift or free offer too closely instead of accepting it gratefully.
Definition
To criticize or question something you received for free instead of appreciating it.
To look a gift horse in the mouth means to focus on the flaws or value of a present or free opportunity rather than being grateful for it. It suggests that it is rude or unwise to judge what you were given without paying. People often use it as advice to accept a gift graciously. It can apply to both physical gifts and free help or offers.
Examples
- I know the laptop is a bit old, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
- She offered to drive you to the airport for free, so don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
- He complained about the free seats, and I told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
- You didn’t pay for the upgrade, so stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
More at C1 level
- Monday morning quarterback A “Monday morning quarterback” is someone who criticizes decisions after the outcome is already kno…
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- come hell or high water No matter what happens or how difficult things become.
- brass monkeys “Brass monkeys” is used in the expression “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” mea…
- get down to brass tacks To get down to brass tacks means to start discussing the most important practical details of someth…
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire If something goes down to the wire, it is decided at the very last moment before the deadline or fi…
- lost the plot To become confused or unreasonable and no longer understand what is happening or what matters.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready in the correct order.