penny wise and pound foolish
Prudent and thrifty with small amounts of money, but wasteful with large amounts.
In the past our government has nowhere been more penny wise and pound foolish than in connection with its expenditures for conservation.
foolish
/ˈfuː.lɪʃ/
adj 2
Collocations
4(adj.)
VERBS
appear, be, feel, look, seem, sound
ADV
exceedingly, extremely, incredibly, really, singularly, very | utterly | a bit, a little, quite, rather, slightly, vaguely
Definitions
adj
1
Lacking good sense or judgement; unwise.
Next season will, as ever, be a different matter, another problem for Conte to solve as he looks to extend his personal record of four straight league titles in club football across England and Italy. Given his hunger for more – more time, more detail, more work – only the brave or the foolish would bet against him.
As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.
2
Resembling or characteristic of a fool.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
Consistency may not be the key to success; changes, even minor ones, must be introduced.
Example Bank
601
Next season will, as ever, be a different matter, another problem for Conte to solve as he looks to extend his personal record of four straight league titles in club football across England and Italy.
Wiktionary02
As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can
Wiktionary03
There was a feeling of constraint in the room; no one dared to tell the king how foolish his decision was.
Tatoeba · #201104
You must put an end to your foolish behavior.
Tatoeba · #1643405
It appears that you have made a foolish mistake.
Tatoeba · #1643606
You must put an end to this foolish behavior.
Tatoeba · #16668Usage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars