penny wise and pound foolish
unwise because doing something small now would prevent much more trouble later.
Education budget cuts are penny wise and pound foolish – public education is an investment in our future.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

penny wise and pound foolish
to be careful with small amounts of money but to waste large amounts of money on unnecessary things
The woman was penny wise and pound foolish and would hesitate to spend money on fruits and vegetables for her family but would buy very expensive desserts.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

penny-wise and pound foolish
to be careful or thrifty in small expenditures but careless or wasteful in large ones
My friend is penny-wise and pound foolish and she economizes on small things but wastes all of her money on big things.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

penny-wise and pound-foolish
wise or careful in small things/purchases but not wise or careful about bigger things/purchases
He is penny-wise and pound-foolish and is always wasting his money on things that he does not need.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

penny wise and pound foolish
Wise or careful in small things but not careful enough in important things.
■ A proverb.
Mr. Smith's fence is rotting and falling down because he wouldn't spend money to paint it. He is penny wise and pound foolish.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲