Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Receive a gift with gratitude rather than immediately criticising its value. Generosity can be appreciated without measuring the offer as if it were a purchase.

What the words are saying

The saying uses inspecting a horse as an image of assessing a gift’s worth. Its concern is the recipient’s response: fault-finding can turn an act of kindness into an occasion for complaint. It may encourage attention to the intention and effort behind an imperfect present. That does not require accepting every gift or hiding a serious problem. Suitability, safety and unwanted obligations still matter. The proverb works best for minor preferences when the offer is freely made and benign, rather than as a demand that gratitude override a person’s boundaries.

Everyday example

A neighbour gives a family a usable spare chair; they thank her instead of complaining that its colour differs from their other furniture.

When to use it

Use it when minor criticism is overshadowing appreciation of a freely offered gift.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.