He says he hates the prize, but that is just sour grapes.
sour grapes
idiomThings that somebody pretends to despise because they cannot obtain or have them.
Origin
disputed originFrom Aesop's fable The Fox and the Grapes, in which a fox, unable to reach grapes it is seeking, convinces itself that they must have been unripe (therefore, sour) all along and so not worth trying for in the first place.
She claims she did not want the promotion anyway, but it sounds like sour grapes to me.
His dismissive critique of the award-winning film appeared to be nothing more than sour grapes after his own project was rejected.
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grapes of wrath
A symbol of impending vengeance, especially in reference to the Last Judgment.
- 02
leave a sour taste in one's mouth
To give one an unpleasant feeling or memory.
- 03
sour note
A negative aspect to something mostly positive.
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sour stomach
Indigestion.
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sour tooth
A liking for foods that are sour.