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meaning of ''bearing gifts'' in context

English Language & Usage Asked by user403900 on December 4, 2020

what does ”bearing gifts” mean?
forexample, you are going to travel to a county, your friends might tell you, take some some bearing gifts for your host.

One Answer

"Bearing gifts" are not special kinds of gifts. "Bearing" is the gerund form of the verb "to bear" meaning to carry.

So

He is bearing gifts

Means that he is carrying gifts. The term is most associated with the saying "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" which derives from Homer's telling of the ancient Greek-Trojan war, where the Greeks pretended to seek peace and presented a giant wooden horse as a gift, but in reality concealed their soldiers inside it. So it means "be careful of your enemies when they bring gifts to you ".

"Take some bearing gifts" is incorrect English, so if your friend said that we cannot tell you what they meant.

Answered by DJClayworth on December 4, 2020

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