idiom / phrasal expression · formal
look a gift horse in the mouth
UK/lʊk ə ɡɪft hɔːs ɪn ðə maʊθ/US/lʊk ə ɡɪft hɔrs ɪn ðə maʊθ/LOOK a GIFT·HORSE in the MOUTH
to criticise or find fault with something that you have been given as a gift instead of being grateful
Examples
“When he complained about the free samples, I told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“She was warned not to look a gift horse in the mouth when the company offered training for free.”
“Receiving help from a neighbour, he realised he shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Band 8 sentence
“When the university offered a scholarship, some students complained about minor restrictions; the tutors reminded them not to look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Collocations
- don't look a gift horse in the mouth
- warned not to look a gift horse in the mouth
Word family
Common mistakes
Don't look a gift horse on the mouth.→Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
He looked the gift horse in mouth.→He looked a gift horse in the mouth.
Say it for a higher band
5be grateful→6be ungrateful (opposite)→7+look a gift horse in the mouth
Synonyms
don't be ungrateful
accept the gift graciously
Easily confused
be ungrateful
“She was ungrateful after they helped her move into the flat.”
count your blessings
“Despite the setbacks, he was told to count his blessings.”
Related words
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