 Re: Penny wise, pound foolish
This is an old expression that comes from England. A penny was a small copper coin with very little value, and a pound was a silver coin worth much more.
This idiom describes what happens when someone makes a poor financial decision because they're focused on inconsequential details. For example, buying an inexpensive car may seem like a good decision in the short-term (penny wise) but that overlooks the higher costs of maintenance (pound foolish).
The implication is that quality has greater value in the long run. This idiom is often used by salespeople who are trying to sell higher priced products. |