Greek gift
Dangerous seeming generosity
A Greek gift is something offered with hidden malicious intent—a reference to the Trojan Horse, which Greek soldiers used to infiltrate Troy by concealing themselves inside a gift.
The phrase captures the idea of generosity that conceals treachery: Beware of Greek gifts.
The related Latin phrase is *timeo Danaos et dona ferentes* (I fear Greeks even bearing gifts).
Domesticated riding animal
- wooden horseCarved equine figure
- TroyAncient Anatolian city
- HomerAncient Greek epic composer
- IliadAncient Greek war epic
Odyssey · Odysseus · Cassandra · siege · Helen · Paris · Priam · epic
Breaking of trust
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
double-cross · traitor · Judas · trojan horse · sabotage · conspiracy · subversion · false friend
Device for catching prey
- baitLure for prey
- lureThing that tempts
- enticementSomething that attracts
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
ambush · pitfall · ploy · gambit · honeypot · siren song · allurement · seduction
Careful attention to risk
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- red flagIndicator of danger
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
wariness · misgiving · beware · too good to be true · ulterior motive · vigilance · apprehension · foreboding
horse
Domesticated riding animal
- wooden horseCarved equine figure
- TroyAncient Anatolian city
- HomerAncient Greek epic composer
Iliad · Odyssey · Odysseus · Cassandra · siege · Helen · Paris · Priam · epic · mythology
betrayal
Breaking of trust
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
backstabbing · double-cross · traitor · Judas · trojan horse · sabotage · conspiracy · subversion · false friend · poisoned chalice
snare
Device for catching prey
- baitLure for prey
- lureThing that tempts
- enticementSomething that attracts
decoy · ambush · pitfall · ploy · gambit · honeypot · siren song · allurement · seduction · false promise
caution
Careful attention to risk
skepticism · wariness · misgiving · beware · too good to be true · ulterior motive · vigilance · apprehension · foreboding · omen
Greek giftblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
boon · benevolence · windfall · godsend · stroke of luck