pound-foolish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Schools think about these institutional debts in a way that is very penny-wise and pound-foolish, and it’s preventing people from participating in the economy,” said Mike Pierce, executive director of Protect Borrowers.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

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

From BBC • May 15, 2023

That could make the squishy “engagement” and meager traffic that local news sites have seen as benefits of giving content to Twitter seem penny wise and pound-foolish.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2022

Many of those cuts were penny-wise and pound-foolish, however, especially the ones in safety-net programs like subsidized child-care that helped low-income families stay in the workforce.

From Washington Times • May 8, 2019

But then that plagy, jealous, suspicious, old vinegar-faced Honor, and her partner Pride—as penny-wise and pound-foolish a she-skinflint as herself—have the monopoly of the article.

From The International Monthly, Volume 2, No. 4, March, 1851 by Various