penny-wise

adjective

1. greatly concerned with saving small sums of money
2. penny-wise and pound-foolish
   careful about trifles but wasteful in large ventures

Example Sentences

Training enslaved people like Sambo Andersen to do skilled labor saved the penny-wise Washington from having to hire costly outside tradesmen.

From Literature

How penny-wise and plain foolish was her Medicaid policy as governor?

From Los Angeles Times

However, penny-wise, profit-driven developers want homes closer together on narrow streets that allow for more buildings.

From Seattle Times

Ms Devlin added the move is a "penny-wise and pound-foolish approach to workforce".

From BBC

Let’s hope that the new Congress doesn’t succumb to this penny-wise, pound-foolish approach.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• canny
• careful
• meticulous
• prudent
• stingy
• thrifty