gift

If you receive a gift, do so graciously, without voicing criticisms. The saying is attributed to St. Jerome and refers to the practice of looking at a horse's teeth to determine its age. I know Aunt Jean isn't your favorite person, but she gave you that beautiful sweater as a present, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth! A: "But I don't want this ancient car!" B: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, OK? You're so lucky to get a car for free!"

A humorous or derisive phrase used to describe a man who sees himself as very attractive and appealing to women. Mark may think that he's God's gift to women, but I know that he hasn't been on a date in months! I can't stand these arrogant guys who keep coming up to me and acting like they're God's gift to women!

If?you?receive?a?gift,?do?so?graciously,?without?voicing?criticisms.?The?saying?is?attributed?to?St.?Jerome?and?refers?to?the practice?of?looking?at?a?horse's?teeth?to?determine?its?age. I know Aunt Jean isn't your favorite person, but she gave you that beautiful sweater as a present, and you should never look a gift horse in the mouth! A: "But I don't want this ancient car!" B: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth, OK? You're so lucky to get a car for free!"

Prov. Do not trust an opponent who offers to do something nice for you. (A line from the story of the Trojan horse, as told in Vergil's Aeneid.) Jill: I can't believe Melanie brought me cookies today, when we've been fighting for weeks. Jane: Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. She probably has ulterior motives. When the rival company invited all his employees to a Christmas party, Tom's first impulse was to beware of Greeks bearing gifts, but then he upbraided himself for being paranoid.

something extra given to you when you buy something else. When you order your magazine subscription, this book is yours to keep as our free gift. This canvas tote is a free gift for everyone who opens an account at our bank today!

Fig. a desirable or perfect man. (Usually sarcastic.) Tom thinks he's God's gift to women, but if the truth were known, they laugh at him behind his back. He acted like he was God's gift and I should be real grateful to be going out with him.

Fig. to have a natural talent for doing something. Tony has a gift for writing short stories. Sharon has a gift for dealing with animals.

Fig. to have a great facility with language; to be able to use language very effectively. (See also have a way with words.) My brother really has the gift of gab. He can convince anyone of anything. I don't talk a lot. I just don't have the gift for gab.

Fig. to be ungrateful to someone who gives you something; to treat someone who gives you a gift badly. (Usually with a negative.) Never look a gift horse in the mouth. I advise you not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

to criticize or refuse to take something that has been offered to you I know the car's not in great condition, but you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

an ability to speak easily and confidently and to persuade people to do what you want An Irishman, he had the gift of the gab. You might hate what he said but you had to listen.

if someone tells you not to look a gift horse in the mouth, they mean that you should not criticize or feel doubt about something good that has been offered to you Okay, it's not the job of your dreams but it pays good money. I'd be inclined not to look a gift horse in the mouth if I were you.

if a man thinks he is God's gift to women, he thinks he is extremely attractive and that all women love him He's the most arrogant man I've ever met and he thinks he's God's gift to women. Oh for goodness sake, you really think you're God's gift to women, don't you!

Obtain a needed dose of something, especially but not necessarily a narcotic drug. For example, Heroin addicts will do anything to get their fix, or Chris referred to her daily swim in the pool as her chlorine fix. The noun fix has been used for a narcotic dose since the 1930s, and was extended to other compulsively sought things about two decades later. Also see get a fix on.

Talent for verbal fluency, especially the ability to talk persuasively. For example, His gift of gab made him a wonderful salesman. [Late 1700s]

Be critical or suspicious of something received at no cost. For example, Dad's old car is full of dents, but we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. This term, generally expressed as a cautionary proverb ( Don't look a gift horse in the mouth), has been traced to the writings of the 4th-century cleric, St. Jerome, and has appeared in English since about 1500. It alludes to determining the age of a horse by looking at its teeth.

To be critical or suspicious of something one has received without expense.

Something obtained at no charge, but not without an ultimate cost. According to legend, it was Odysseus who devised the scheme of leaving a huge wooden horse in front of the gates of Troy, which the Greeks were unable to conquer (the losing side of a war traditionally left a gift for the victors). The Trojans watched the Greeks depart then dragged the horse inside their walls. Soldiers who had been hiding inside the horse surreptitiously opened the gates, the Greeks stole back inside the gates, and the rest is history. The cautionary expression “beware Greeks bearing gift” is based on the legend, as is the phrase “gift horse.” Stated another way, there ain't no free lunch