Where Does Don’T Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth?

“No man ought to looke a geuen hors in the mouth.” It is probable that Heywood obtained the phrase from a Latin text of St. Jerome, The Letter to the Ephesians, circa AD 400, which contains the text ‘Noli equi dentes inspicere donati’ (Never inspect the teeth of a given horse).

Where does the saying don’t look a gift horse in the mouth?

The idiom itself probably stems from the practice of determining a horse’s age from looking at its teeth. It would be rude to receive a horse for your birthday and immediately examine its mouth in front of the person who gave it to you, as if you were trying to figure out the value of your gift.

What does this idiom mean I should not look a gift horse in the mouth?

said to advise someone not to refuse something good that is being offered.

Where did the saying from the horse’s mouth come from?

This idiom comes from British horse-racing circles, likely because the presumed ideal source for racing tips would be the horse rather than spectators or riders.

Where did the phrase see a man about a horse come from?

Origin of see-a-man-about-a-horse
The saying comes from the 1866 Dion Boucicault play, Flying Scud, in which a character knowingly breezes past a difficult situation saying, “Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can’t stop; I’ve got to see a man about a dog.”

What is the origin of phrase?

Etymology. From Late Latin phrasis (“diction”), from Ancient Greek φράσις (phrásis, “manner of expression”), from φράζω (phrázō, “I tell, express”).

Where does a phrase come from?

1520s, “manner or style of expression,” also “brief expression with some unity; two or more words expressing what is practically a single notion,” from Late Latin phrasis “diction,” from Greek phrasis “speech, way of speaking, enunciation, phraseology,” from phrazein “to tell, declare, indicate, point out, show, inform

What is the origin of putting your foot in your mouth?

The first expression dates from about 1900. The variant, dating from the mid-1900s, is a play on the foot-and-mouth (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth) disease that afflicts cattle, causing eruptions to break out around the mouth and hoofs.

Where does the phrase see a man about a dog come from?

Historical usage. The earliest confirmed publication is the 1866 Dion Boucicault play Flying Scud in which a character knowingly breezes past a difficult situation saying, “Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can’t stop; I’ve got to see a man about a dog.” Time magazine observed that the phrase was the play’s “claim to fame”.

What does the saying see a man about a dog mean?

Excuse oneself without giving the real reason for leaving, especially to go to the toilet or have an alcoholic drink. For example, Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog.

What is a black horse idiom?

a person who is not expected to succeed in or unexpectedly wins an election, race, or other competition: a dark horse in the primaries.

Why do they say cat got your tongue?

On English sailing ships, anyone entrusted with a secret by a higher officer would be threatened with “the cat” for telling; thus, the saying ‘has the cat got your tongue?’ became slang for ‘are you afraid to tell?’

Where did the phrase Bob’s your uncle originate?

In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase ‘Bob’s your uncle’ was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as ‘Uncle Bob’. Apparently, it’s very simple to become a minister when Bob’s your uncle!

Why do they say paint the town red?

The expression is American slang meaning to go on a reckless debauch, to be wildly extravagant. Originally, the metaphor applied to bonfires painting the sky or scenery red. An old Irish ballad contains the lines: The beacon hills were painted red/ With many a fire that night.

What does the saying When Pigs Fly mean?

that something will never happen
US, informal. used to say that one thinks that something will never happen. The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

What break a leg means?

good luck
If you were to tell the actor to “break a leg,” you were wishing them the opportunity to perform and get paid. The sentiment remains the same today; the term means “good luck, give a good performance.” No matter which version you choose to believe, well-wishes are always appreciated.

What is the origin of the idiom blowing smoke?

Answer and Explanation: Generally, the idiom “blowing smoke” is agreed to relate back to magicians. Magicians would often use smoke to hide their sleight of hand from the audience; thus, they deceived the viewers, who would be duly impressed by the magic trick.

What does the ball is at your feet mean?

to have the chance of doing something. See full dictionary entry for ball.

What does put your feet to the fire mean?

(idiomatic) To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one’s desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions. quotations ▼

What’s the meaning of on pins and needles?

in a nervous or jumpy state
on pins and needles. : in a nervous or jumpy state of anticipation.

What does I’m gonna have a cow mean?

slang. : to become very angry, upset, etc. Don’t have a cow!