The idiom "dog in the manger" refers to someone who selfishly prevents others from using or enjoying something, even though they have no use for it themselves. The phrase comes from an old fable about a dog who lies in a manger, preventing the horses 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 or possessive, especially when it comes to resources or opportunities that they don't need or can't use. For example, if a coworker refuses to share their office supplies with others, even though they have more than enough, you could say that they're acting like a "dog in the manger."
In general, this idiom is used to criticize people who are being unnecessarily selfish or obstructive, and to encourage them to be more generous and cooperative. It's a good way to express your frustration with someone who is being difficult or uncooperative, without being too confrontational or aggressive.
• The wealthy people who buy up all the properties and leave them vacant are like dogs in the manger, preventing others from having a place to live.
• The company refused to license their software to competitors, even though they weren't using it themselves - it was a classic case of a dog in the manger attitude.
• My boss is a dog in the manger, she never allows anyone to take on any new projects.
• The author's refusal to let anyone adapt their book into a movie or TV show is a prime example of a dog in the manger mentality, hindering the potential for their work to reach a wider audience.
• I don't like playing with Tom, he's always like a dog in the manger - he doesn't let anyone else play with his toys.
• It's not fair that the government is hoarding COVID-19 vaccines and not allowing other countries to access them - they're acting like dogs in the manger.