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Definition 2024


dog_in_the_manger

dog in the manger

English

A 1666 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar illustrating the fable of the dog in the manger

Noun

dog in the manger (plural dogs in mangers)

  1. One who denies to others something that he or she cannot use.
    • 1930, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, “Notes on the Way to Dandi”, in Non-Violent Resistance, page 246:
      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.

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