The idiom "a dog in the manger" means someone who selfishly prevents others from enjoying or using something that they themselves have no use for. It comes from an old fable where a dog lies in a manger, preventing the cows from eating the hay even though the dog has no intention of eating it himself.
You can use this idiom to describe someone who is being selfish and preventing others from enjoying something that they themselves have no use for. For example, if someone has a parking space but refuses to let anyone else use it, even though they don't need it themselves, you could say that they are "being a dog in the manger."
Overall, this idiom is used to describe someone who is being selfish and not allowing others to enjoy or use something that they themselves have no use for.
• I can't believe my little brother won't let me play with his toy car even though he's not using it. He's like a dog in the manger!
• Despite having more than enough resources to help others, the billionaire refused to donate any money to charity. He's a prime example of a dog in the manger.
• The company's CEO refused to let his employees work from home, even though he himself has a home office. He's behaving like a dog in the manger.
• My neighbor always complains about the noise from my party but never invites me to his own. He's acting like a dog in the manger.
• The politician blocked a bill that would have helped his constituents, simply because he didn't come up with the idea himself. He's acting like a dog in the manger.
• My friend always talks about how much she loves her job but never shares any opportunities with me. She's being a dog in the manger.