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dog in the manger
01
someone who selfishly prevents others from using or enjoying something that they themselves have no use for
What is the origin of the idiom "make a go of something" and when to use it?
The idiom "dog in the manger" originates from an ancient Greek fable attributed to the storyteller Aesop. This phrase is used to describe someone who selfishly prevents others from using or enjoying something that they have no intention of using or benefiting from themselves.
Example
He's acting like a dog in the manger.
It's like they're being a dog in the manger.
When I asked to borrow his camera, he acted like a dog in the manger, refusing to lend it to me or anyone else.
