top definitions
related content
examples

penny-wise

SEE SYNONYMS FOR penny-wise ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

greatly concerned with saving small sums of money

penny-wise and pound-foolish careful about trifles but wasteful in large ventures

Words nearby penny-wise

penny-a-liner, penny-ante, penny-dreadful, penny-farthing, penny-pinching, penny-wise, pennyboy, pennycress, pennyroyal, pennyweight, pennywort

Example sentences from the Web for penny-wise

But it is wonderful what people, penny-wise and pound foolish, will sometimes do to save 2d.

The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII: No. 353, October 2, 1886. |Various
Not a little, too, of Sir George's economy was of "the penny-wise and pound-foolish" kind.

Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory |John M'lean
He was penny-wise and pound-foolish, so he cut out the wireless to save a miserable hundred and forty dollars a month.

Cappy Ricks Retires |Peter B. Kyne
Penny-wise and pound-foolish, has been the ruin of thousands.

The Writings of Thomas Paine, Vol. I |Thomas Paine

Yes, my thoughts were penny-wise, which is far better than if they had been pound-foolish.

The Mark of Cain |Carolyn Wells