How to Pronounce "penny wise and pound foolish"
expression
PEN-ee-wyze-and-POWND-FOO-lish
PEN-ee-wyze-and-POWND-FOO-lish
Definition
Describes someone who goes to great lengths to save small amounts of money but ignores larger, more important expenses, ending up worse off.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpɛni/ /ˈwaɪz/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈpaʊnd/ /ˈfuɫɪʃ
British English
pˈɛni/ /wˈaɪz/ /ˈænd/ /pˈaʊnd/ /fˈuːlɪʃ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
PEN-ee-wyze-and-POWND-FOO-lish
UK
PEN-ee-wyze-and-POWND-FOO-lish
Listen in Context
He is penny wise and pound foolish when he skips maintenance to save money but ends up paying more for repairs.
Buying cheap shoes that wear out fast is being penny wise and pound foolish.
If you choose low-quality insurance to save, you might be penny wise and pound foolish.
My uncle always buys the cheapest tools, and they break right away. Total penny wise and pound foolish.