be penny-wise and pound-foolish

be penny-wise and pound-foolish

To be so concerned with saving money that one ignores larger problems and ultimately ends up spending more. I know you don't want to pay for this expensive course of treatment, but when ignoring your health lands you in the hospital, you'll see that you were penny-wise and pound-foolish.
See also: and
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • penny wise and pound foolish
  • penny wise pound foolish
  • penny-wise and pound-foolish
  • pennywise
  • penny-wise and dollar-foolish
  • be penny-wise and dollar-foolish
  • foolish
  • throw good money after bad
  • throw good money after bad, to
  • save for (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
"You don't want to be penny-wise and pound-foolish."
Building an IT oasis in the California desert
If germination is less than that, planting those leftovers would probably be penny-wise and pound-foolish. Yes, you might save a few dollars on seed this year, but your garden will most likely yield many fewer pounds to harvest than if you had planted fresh seeds.
Testing seed viability
But our current budget shortfall isn't a time to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Hammond: No Time to Be Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish
Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish with your business.
Price vs. value. (Bank On It)
On the other hand, "You shouldn't be penny-wise and pound-foolish," warns Steven Candela, matrimonial and family court practitioner of Mannarino Candela in New York City.
SAVING DOLLARS & MAKING SENSE OF DIVORCE
Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish with something as important as an information system.
Software's new generation