Question 1

What does "penny wise pound foolish" mean?

Accepted Answer

Being careful about small expenditures while being wasteful or extravagant with larger ones.

Question 2

How do you use "penny wise pound foolish" in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

Skipping the annual maintenance is penny wise pound foolish — it'll cost ten times more later.

Question 3

Is "penny wise pound foolish" formal or informal?

Accepted Answer

"penny wise pound foolish" is register-neutral — appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. A proverb cautioning against short-term frugality that undermines long-term financial sense.