Dog in the Manger: The Mean Keeper of Coveted Things 😡🚫🐎§
Related Terms and Similar Expressions§
- Cat’s Paws: Someone used by another as a tool; unknowing accomplice.
- Hold a Grudge: To maintain resentment or anger for a long period.
- Grudge Keeper: Synonymous with “Holding a Grudge.”
- Spoilsport: Someone who doesn’t want others to have fun, even if they won’t enjoy it themselves.
Definitions and Origins§
Dog in the Manger: An individual who prevents others from enjoying something despite having no use for it themselves. This phrase hails from Aesop’s fables where a dog, lounging on the hay in a manger, snarls at the horses trying to eat it.
Synonyms§
- Jealous Keeper
- Misery Merchant
- Hindrance Hound
Antonyms§
- Generous Soul
- Benevolent Benefactor
- Charitable Chap
Humor-Filled Quotes and Proverbs§
- “Some folks are like dogs in the manger; they neither enjoy life nor let others enjoy it.”
- “Why be a dog in the manger when you can be a friend in need?”
References and Recommendations§
- Literature: Aesop’s Fables – “The Dog in the Manger”
- Books: “Don’t Be a Dog in the Manger” by Prudence Pennyworth (A modern twist on classic fables for children)
- Songs: “Mean Mr. Mustard” by The Beatles – A whimsical depiction of a similarly mean-spirited character.
- Poetry: Ode to Greed by Shel Silverstein – A poem admonishing humankind’s selfish tendencies.
- Movies: The Grinch – Although not a direct take, the theme echoes that of the dog: preventing joy out of sheer spite.
May your journey in the world of words be ever inspiring. Remember, don’t be a “Dog in the Manger”—share the wealth of knowledge generously!
Yours in Clichés and Classics, Eloise Fableweaver
