false economy en · NOUN
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) An attempt to economize that fails because the less expensive approach is inferior in some way, or ultimately wastes more money than was saved.
On the other hand, when money is saved and the efficiency of the school is injured, that is a false economy.
1943, Ward Glen Reeder, A First Course in Education:"If the suggestion is merely to delay the opening of Euston, then you may save some money in the very short term. But by delaying works, allowing more inflation to creep in, you will actually add to the overall cost. It would be a totally false economy."
2023 February 8, Paul Stephen, “Network News: Hunt dismisses rumours that HS2 will not go to Euston”, in RAIL, number 976, page 25:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| false economies | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
if you pay bananas, you get monkeys · buy cheap, buy twice · good work ain't cheap, cheap work ain't good · if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys · you buy cheap, you get cheap · you get what you pay for
Translations (3)
fi kallis säästö (failed attempt to economize) · fi väärä säästö (failed attempt to economize) · pl pozorna oszczędność (failed attempt to economize)