Meaning of the word "catch not at the shadow and lose the substance" in English
What does "catch not at the shadow and lose the substance" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
catch not at the shadow and lose the substance
US /kætʃ nɑːt æt ðə ˈʃædoʊ ænd luːz ðə ˈsʌbstəns/
UK /kætʃ nɒt æt ðə ˈʃædəʊ ənd luːz ðə ˈsʌbstəns/
Idiom
to pursue something illusory or unimportant and as a result lose something of real value
Example:
•
He quit his stable job for a risky startup that failed, proving you shouldn't catch at the shadow and lose the substance.
•
By focusing only on social media fame instead of his studies, he is catching at the shadow and losing the substance.