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dog in the manger

Someone who denies to others something that he or she cannot use.

Etymology:

  • From a Greek fable about a dog preventing other animals from eating the hay in a manger, even though as a carnivore it could not eat the hay itself. Although the story was ascribed to Aesop's Fables in the 15th century, no ancient source does so.
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No adjective is strong enough for characterizing this wicked dog-in-the-manger policy. From various sources I hear tales of such wanton destruction of nations' property in all parts of India.

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Submitted on July 10, 2018

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to dog in the manger

dog my catsdog and catdog itdog in a mangerdressed/done up like a dog’s dinnerdog and pony showDog Days of Summerdog's lifeDog-Eat-Dog Worldeat one's own dog fooddog racismdog's lifechocolate hot dogdog around

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