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Dog in the manger

noun

Definitions

Noun

1
Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use. idiomatic
"No adjective is strong enough for characterizing this wicked dog-in-the-manger policy. From various sources I hear tales of such wanton destruction of nations' property in all parts of India."
2
someone who prevents you from enjoying something that they themselves have no need for wordnet

Etymology

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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