expressions

[emdownie1966]

what is meant by acting like a dog in a manger

[Rabelais]

It is from aesops fables, where a dog snaps at the oxen in the manger preventing them from eating the hay. The moral being some begrudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves

[woofgang]

I remember as a kid not getting this fable, after all I'd be pretty peeved if somebody came along and tried to eat my bed