Don't Cliches Quiz

I always hated this one - don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Why not?!? The gift horse that this phrase is based on (Trojan horse) turned out to be one that decidedly SHOULD have been examined more carefully before pulling it inside the walls of the city. The phrase should be - DO look a gift horse in the mouth!

That's not what this saying is based on. It comes from the fact that you can tell a horse's age by looking at its teeth. It means that when someone gives you a gift, don't examine it critically, as if you might reject it.

don't sweat the little things, petty things, small things. I tried everything but stuff.

Agree with zombieeaters. I managed to get it, but I've never heard it the way it's listed. "Little things" is the only version I've heard.

@tschutzer The phrase comes from the fact that you can see how old a horse is by looking at its teeth, and that it's rude to see how new or old the horse is. It loosely applies to finding how much a present cost, or the quality of a gift.

Actually, don't look a gift horse in the mouth is a proverb. It means be grateful for a gift you've been given without looking at its value. You can tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth. It has nothing to do with the Trojan horse.

I've only ever heard it as 'small stuff', but then we are a bit different down under :)

"Small stuff" is the only way I've heard it. It must be different depending on where you're from.

I've never heard 'don't' burn the candle at both ends. Only that some IS burning the candle at both ends. I didn't realize it was frowned upon xD I think you just mixed up your cliches.

I only heard small stuff. The only way I know.

wash water should be accepted for bath water, thats the only way ive heard it

I've only heard it as bath water over here.

I tried everything BUT small stuff! Little things is a common one :)

ive always heard it as dont sweat the small stuff

I though it was don't bring a knife to a fist fight. Still only missed two. I've only ever heard bathwater and not washwater.

@mal, bringing a knife to a fist fight would be an advantage. The adage is specifically about being underprepared for something. I got 100% first try with 3:05 left. Another good one that could be on here is "Don't s**t where you eat." :)

100% with 2:00 left on the clock

I've only ever hear small stuff and bathwater

darkseraphim21 - you DON'T burn a candle at both ends because you can't do 2 things at the same time AND do them both well

don't whiz on the electric fence?

I've heard all of them accept for the don't throw good money after bad. all the other ones are exactly as I've heard them

I've also heard "Don't bring a knife to a sword fight."

Never heard "don't gild the lily" before