English Explanatory Dictionary

penny wise and pound foolish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Prudent and thrifty with small amounts of money, but wasteful with large amounts.

Pronunciation

En-au-penny wise and pound foolish.ogg

Word forms

penny wise and pound foolish more penny wise and pound foolish most penny wise and pound foolish penny-wise and pound-foolish penny wise, pound foolish

Etymology

From the British currency (one penny being one hundredth of a pound or, prior to decimalisation, one 240th of a pound).

Related words

chase pennies with dollars false economy in for a penny, in for a pound penny-wise pound-foolish take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves
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