what does the saying "dont kick a gifted horse in the mouth" mean?

Answer 1

it's don't LOOK a gift horse in the mouth!
you can tell the age of a horse by looking at it's teeth
it means if it's a gift don't be judgmental about the gift

Answer 2

The expression is actually, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

And, means don't be asking qualification questions before you accept a gift. Say, for example, someone offers to give you a car, but you want to know he kind of car, how many miles, what color, etc. That's looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Answer 3

The Saying is 'Don't LOOK a Gift Horse in the mouth'.

If a horse is given as a gift, it is not decent to examine the horse too closely to determine if it is a worthy/ valuable gift.

To determine the AGE of the horse, people used to look the horse in the mouth & see the length os its teeth.

So to look a horse in the mouth' means 'to find the age of the horse & see whether it is young or old, useful or useless.

So, any thing gifted to us should be accepted as it is & not to be tested After accepting it!

A nice saying!

Answer 4

I always thought it was don't "look a gift horse in the mouth"...

You are "looking a gift horse in the mouth" when you receive a gift and then you question the value of that gift. Example: "This shirt you gave me is not my favorite brand." Reply: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! That was the best they had."

You are like a person who has been given a horse as a gift (a gift-horse) and you are looking into the horse's mouth to see if it is in good health. Example: "Here is your drink." Reply: "Oh, I hate this kind." Answer: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

You should be thankful when you receive a gift, and not wish for something better. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth means don't measure the value of something that you have received for free. Example: "Great interception!" Reply: "Yes, but I almost scored a touchdown." Reply: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

Answer 5

The correct quotation is "don't kick a GIFT horse in the mouth"

It means if someones gives you something don't turn it down because it isn't exactly what you want. Accept it gratefully because it IS a gift.

hope that helps!

Hmmm - I don't think I've ever heard it said "don't LOOK a gift horse in the mouth but the explanation you gave certainly makes sense if you know anything at all about horses. Thanks.

Answer 6

I believe that the phrase that you are referring to is "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth". A good way to get an idea of a horse's health is to look at it's teeth. The phrase is saying that if someone gives/gifts you a horse that you shouldn't be so rude as to check it's teeth in front of the person who is the giver. Basically it is referring to appreciation, graciousness and respect for another's feelings.

Answer 7

it's "don't kick a gift horse in the mouth"
and it means when you get a gift or if you get a benefit in anyway -keep your mouth shut
(for example: let's say you deposit $100 check into your (or my) checking account at the bank
And the teller is having a bad day. She deposits your check,hands you the reciept for it, and gives you $100! The saying means to Keep your mouth shut and don't say anything - let it be her problem.

Although I can't say that I always agree with that saying.. I think it would be more right and more honest to tell her aobut it.

Answer 8

Funny how sayings get corrupted.
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"
I don't know about you, but it'd have to be a pretty small horse for me to be able to KICK it!
And BTW, looking in a horses mouth is to check it's teeth to see how old it is.

Answer 9

The correct saying is...don't look a gift horse in the mouth. It means don't question it when someone gives you something.

Answer 10

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what does the saying "dont kick a gifted horse in the mouth" mean?