Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

Meaning

Accept gifts gratefully without critiquing them.

Usage

Used when someone might focus on flaws instead of gratitude.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Evaluating a horse's age by checking its teeth.

Proverb recorded as early as the 4th century, popular in English since the 16th.