Definition & Meaning of "dangle a carrot in front of somebody "

What is the origin of the idiom "dangle a carrot in front of someone" and when to use it?

The idiom "dangle a carrot in front of someone" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. The first known written record of the phrase is in a book called "Proverbs in English" by John Heywood, which was published in 1546. This expression is still commonly used in a negative way to describe someone who is being manipulated or motivated to do something that they may not want to do.