Dog In The Manger

C1 8+
Pronunciation Definitions Examples Grammatical Forms Origin and Evolution

Pronunciation: /dɔɡ ɪn ðə ˈmeɪndʒər/

Definitions of dog in the manger

noun a person who prevents others from using something that they do not need or want for themselves

Example Sentences

A1 The dog in the manger wouldn't let the other animals eat the hay.

A2 The dog in the manger was selfish and wouldn't share the bone with the other dogs.

B1 The dog in the manger refused to move even though he didn't want to eat the food.

B2 The dog in the manger guarded the food aggressively, not letting anyone near it.

C1 The dog in the manger was possessive of the toys and wouldn't let the children play with them.

C2 The dog in the manger exhibited territorial behavior, growling at anyone who approached the food.

Examples of dog in the manger in a Sentence

formal The farmer scolded his dog for behaving like a dog in the manger, not allowing the other animals to eat.

informal Stop being a dog in the manger and share your toys with your little sister.

slang Don't be a dog in the manger and hog all the snacks at the party.

figurative She's like a dog in the manger, always preventing others from enjoying what she doesn't want.

Grammatical Forms of dog in the manger

past tense

dogged in the manger

plural

dogs in the manger

comparative

more dog in the manger

superlative

most dog in the manger

present tense

dogs in the manger

future tense

will dog in the manger

perfect tense

have dogged in the manger

continuous tense

are dogging in the manger

singular

dog in the manger

positive degree

very dog in the manger

infinitive

to dog in the manger

gerund

dogging in the manger

participle

dogged in the manger

Origin and Evolution of dog in the manger

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The phrase 'dog in the manger' comes from one of Aesop's fables, specifically the story of a dog who lays in a manger filled with hay and refuses to let the other animals eat the hay even though he has no use for it.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'dog in the manger' has come to be used metaphorically to describe someone who selfishly prevents others from enjoying or using something that they themselves do not need or desire.