Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

timeo-danaos-et-dona-ferentes

Phrase

tee-meh-oh dah-nah-ohs eht do-nah feh-ren-tehs

Definition

A Latin phrase meaning ‘I fear the Greeks, even those bearing gifts.’

Examples

The story of the Trojan Horse serves as a perfect illustration of the saying, ‘timeo-danaos-et-dona-ferentes.’
In politics, one might often hear, ‘timeo-danaos-et-dona-ferentes’ when discussing suspicious donations.

Meaning

This phrase expresses a warning about trusting people who come with seemingly generous offerings, suggesting that they may have hidden motives or ulterior intentions.