Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dog in the manger

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.99 in modern English

Syllables: dog in the -manger
IPA

22

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

2

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use.

Example Sentences

"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."

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.

Inflected Forms

dogs in the manger (plural) dogs in mangers (plural)

Phrases

dog-in-the-mangerism

Questions

What does dog in the manger mean?: Someone who denies to others something that the denier cannot use.
Where does dog in the manger come from?: 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.

How to pronounce dog in the manger

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