# dog in the manger

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dog-in-the-manger
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.