like Greeks bearing gifts

like Greeks bearing gifts

Said of someone to be wary of, as an enemy offering gifts or kindness with possibly treacherous ulterior motives. The phrase refers to the Trojan horse, a gift to the Trojans from which Greek soldiers emerged and conquered Troy. The consulate received us very coldly, treating us like Greeks bearing gifts. A: "I can't believe the opposing team made us cupcakes before the big game!" B: "Yeah, like Greeks bearing gifts."

See also: bearing, gift, Greek, like

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Greeks bearing gifts, beware of/like

Do not trust enemies who pretend to be friends. The term refers to the treachery of the Greeks during the Trojan Wars, when they entered the city of Troy bearing the “gift” of a large wooden horse that was actually filled with soldiers who then burned down the city.

See also: bearing, beware, Greek, like, of

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer