Meaning of the word "be penny-wise and pound-foolish" in English
What does "be penny-wise and pound-foolish" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
be penny-wise and pound-foolish
US /bi ˈpɛni waɪz ænd paʊnd ˈfuːlɪʃ/
UK /bi ˈpɛni waɪz ænd paʊnd ˈfuːlɪʃ/
Idiom
1.
to be careful and economical in small matters while being wasteful or extravagant in large ones
Example:
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He tried to save money by buying cheap parts for his car, but ended up spending more on repairs. He was penny-wise and pound-foolish.
•
The company decided to cut corners on quality control to save a small amount, which led to major product recalls. They were truly penny-wise and pound-foolish.
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