“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” is the proverb that warns against being ungrateful for a gift. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its grace.
What Does “Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth” Mean?
The proverb means you should not be ungrateful, critical, or suspicious when you receive a gift — accept it graciously instead of examining it for flaws or wondering whether you could have done better. To pick over the faults of something given freely is rude and ungracious. The polite response to a kindness is gratitude, not inspection.
Origin of the Proverb
The saying comes from the world of horse-trading. A horse’s age and health can be judged by looking at its teeth, so a careful buyer would always inspect a horse’s mouth before purchase — but to do so with a gift horse would be to question the generosity of the giver. The idea is ancient: St. Jerome quoted it as a familiar proverb around AD 400 (“never inspect the teeth of a gift horse”), and the English form was set down by John Heywood in 1546.
Examples in a Sentence
- “The car they gave you is an old model, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
- “I wanted to complain that the free tickets were for the back row, then thought: don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
- “He grumbled about the colour of the present — talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
Similar Proverbs
- Beggars can’t be choosers — those who receive should not be fussy about what they get.
- Count your blessings — be grateful for what you have been given.
- A gift, though small, is welcome — value the kindness, not the size of the gift.
- Take the gift with a grateful heart — receive generosity graciously.
For more sayings about gratitude and grace, see our smart thoughts and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” mean?
It means don’t be ungrateful or critical about a gift — accept it graciously rather than searching it for faults.
Where does the proverb come from?
It comes from judging a horse’s age by its teeth; St. Jerome quoted it around AD 400, and John Heywood set down the English form in 1546.
What is a similar proverb?
“Beggars can’t be choosers” and “count your blessings” share the spirit of receiving what you are given with gratitude.