dog in the manger
Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He is a dog in the manger about his old bike.”
“She refuses to lend her books to anyone, acting like a dog in the manger.”
“By keeping the empty office locked and unused, the manager acted like a dog in the manger toward his staff.”
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. The phrase first appears in the writings of Diogenianus.
- 01
at rack and manger
plentifully and at another's expense.
- 02
buy a dog and bark oneself
To do something that one has hired someone else to do.
- 03
call off the dogs
To ease up on after inflicting great punishment.
- 04
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 05
dog and cat
A team comprising one male and one female, either working as associates or having one as the second-in-command to the other.
- 06
dog and pony show
Any presentation or display that is overly contrived or intricate, while lacking real substance.
- 07
dog around
To follow diligently.
- 08
dog in the hunt
Something that may lead to gain, depending on the outcome; a position for which to campaign or cheer.
Last updated August 10, 2026