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Yes, it is said if you look a horse in the eye straight in the eye thus their mind processes it as a sign of danger or a sign that makes them feel very unsecure. Therefore they might become fidgety or start a habit of nipping you if you repeat the process of looking at them straight in the eye.

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15y ago
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14y ago

A horses age can be determined by its teeth .So if someone was given a horse they could work out its age and value by looking in its mouth. You should grateful for a gift and not try to work out it's value. So it would be rude to look a gift horse in the mouth as it would appear that you are trying to work out the value of your gift.

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Q: What does the proverb don't look at a gift horse in the mouth?
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Can you unscramble proverb into one words?

horse look in mouth don't a gift the


What does the idiom don't look a good horse in the mouth mean?

Actually its "dont look a gift horse in the mouth". It means dont judge a present somone gave you. This came from when people gave horses as gifts. The gift horse was usually old, and you can tell a horses age by looking at its teeth.


Kick a gift horse in the mouth?

I thought the saying was that! Dont kick a gift horse in the mouth. It sounds more appropiate then "look" a gift horse in the mouth. The history of the original saying states- To look a gift horse in the mouth implies the age of the horse- in relation to that of gifts received by another, one would imply that with such a saying that the receiver is only looking at the "value of the gift. Most recently i gave someone a gift for health, it was not the value, however the thought and kindness that went into it. Most hurt that the receiver gave it back, i proceeded to send him a message saying Never "kick a gift horse in the mouth" Hmmm??? maybe this figure of speech just came naturally to me. It seems like a much more appropiate saying in comparision to its original saying, based on the meaning it serves in relation to the value of the gift. I like my saying more.


What is the meaning of the idiom to look a gift horse in the mouth?

By looking a horse in the mouth, you can tell their age and whether or not they're in good health. But if you get a horse as a gift, you should be happy to have a horse and not question what shape they're in.


Origin of don't look a gift horse in the eye?

Its called Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth. This proverb is based on the fact that a horse's value is determined by his age, which, in turn, can be roughly determined by an examination of his teeth. The message conveyed is that a gift should be appreciated for the thought and spirit behind it, not according to its value. St. Jerome, who never accepted payment for his writings, first used the phrase in reply to his literary critics. His exact words: "Never inspect the teeth of a gift horse." Over the years it has gone to the above saying.


What does 'Do not look gift horse in mouth' mean?

This is an expression. One way to tell a horse's age is to look at his teeth (ergo look in his mouth.) This expession tells you not to question the value of a gift or something free.Means you shouldn't try to find out about the value of a gift. Looking a horse in the mouth (on its teeth) can tell you how old it is, and obviously a younger horse is worth more than an older one.You determine a horse's age by checking its teeth. If someone were kind enough to give you a horse for a present, you shouldn't insult them by checking on its age first thing. You should appreciate a gift no matter how old it is or what its value may be. When it comes to gifts, "It's the thought that counts." This advice, by the way, contradicts that given by the prophetess Cassandra who told the Trojans, "beware of Greeks bearing gifts" just before the Trojan Horse showed up at their gate.This expression is called a "proverb"-- a wise saying meant to teach some important lesson. This proverb means that if someone gives you something, you should not question it or scrutinize it or even wonder why it was given to you. In other words, just be glad you received the gift, for whatever the reason.


What are the release dates for Simon - 1995 Simon Looks a Gift Horse in the Mouth 1-19?

Simon - 1995 Simon Looks a Gift Horse in the Mouth 1-19 was released on: USA: 1996


What is an idiom for not asking questions about the value of a gift someone is giving you?

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.


Where does the expression Don't look at the gift horse in the mouth come from?

This expression refers to the Trojan horse statue that was a gift by the Greek army filled with Greek soldiers to the Trojan army. The Trojans celebrated, what they thought to be their victory and as they fell asleep, the greek soldiers emerged and slaughtered them. If you looked this gift horse in the mouth, you would have found several hiding Greek soldiers.


What does don't look a gimped hourse in the mouth mean?

The expression is "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." People who buy and sell horses, can tell the age and health of a horse by examining the horse's mouth. However, if someone gives you a horse, you should not examine its mouth to determine its value, simply accept the gift. So the expression means, "If someone gives you a present, do not try to determine what it is worth. Just accept the gift and say, thank you."


Does the phrase looking a gift horse in the mouth originate from the legend of the Trojan Horse?

No - you can estimate a horse's age by looking at its teeth. Looking a "gift horse in the mouth" would be like judging the gift's value or appearing ungrateful. The general idea is: it may not be ideal (like an old horse) but it was free & you can still make good use of it & be grateful for having one at all.


Where does the expression Don't look the gift horse in the mouth come from?

Something like this: the value of a horse is related it its age - i.e., a younger horse is more valuable than an older horse. You can determine the relative age of a horse by inspecting its teeth. Back in the day, a horse was commonly given as a gift. If a man received a horse as a gift, and then inspected inside its mouth, he was trying to assess the value of the gift he received. So, the saying means that you should not assess the value of any gift that you receive; rather you should be thankful for the thoughtfulness of the gift-giver