ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gift horse

idiom

An apparent gift, that has substantial associated costs or drawbacks, especially a gift that does not fit perfectly with the recipient's wants or needs.


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat a dead horse

    To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.

  2. 02

    charley horse

    A muscle cramp, usually a strong one, in the thigh, leg, arm, or core.

  3. 03

    close the stable door after the horse has bolted

    To attempt to prevent a problem that has already occurred; to design and implement a preventive mechanism that is too late (after the first failure instead of before).

  4. 04

    dark horse

    Someone who possesses talents or favorable characteristics that are not known or expected by others.

  5. 05

    enough to choke a horse

    An excessive quantity.

  6. 06

    flog a dead horse

    To attempt to get more out of something that cannot give more; to attempt to arouse fresh interest in something that is either hopeless or already settled.

  7. 07

    get back on the horse

    To return to an activity after a period of abstaining from the activity.

  8. 08

    get back on the horse that bucked one

    To return to something that previously caused harm.

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