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Gift Horse

What Does "Gift Horse" Mean?

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"Gift horse" is an English idiom. It is a metaphorical term used to caution against questioning or scrutinizing a gift or opportunity, implying that one should be grateful rather than critical.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "gift horse" used in a sentence:
  • He advised his friend not to look a gift horse in the mouth and accept the generous offer.
  • She reminded her sister to appreciate the gift horse and not dwell on the source of the gift.
  • They understood the importance of seizing the gift horse and not overthinking the circumstances.
meaning for gift horse

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Gift Horse" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

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