timeo Danaos et dona ferentes

American

[tim-e-oh dah-nah-ohs et doh-nah fe-ren-tes, tim-ee-oh dan-ey-ohs et doh-nuh fuh-ren-teez] / ˈtɪm ɛˌoʊ ˈdɑ nɑˌoʊs ɛt ˈdoʊ nɑ fɛˈrɛn tɛs, ˈtɪm iˌoʊ ˈdæn eɪˌoʊs ɛt ˈdoʊ nə fəˈrɛn tiz /

Latin.

I fear the Greeks even when they bear gifts (I fear treacherous persons even when they appear to be friendly). Vergil's Aeneid: I, 2:49.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"But timeo Danaos et dona ferentes," he continued bitterly.

From Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France by Weyman, Stanley J.

He could say heartily with the Trojan priest, "Quicquid id est timeo Danaos et dona ferentes."

From George Washington, Volume I by Lodge, Henry Cabot

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023