爪つめで拾ひろって箕みで零こぼす

expression

penny wise and pound foolish

Describes someone who is careful with small gains but wastes large amounts; literally 'picking up with fingernails and spilling with a winnowing basket'.

• 彼かれは小ちいさな節せつ約やくにこだわるが、大おおきな買かい物もので無む駄だ遣づかいする。まさに爪つめで拾ひろって箕みで零こぼすだ。

  He fusses over small savings but wastes money on big purchases. Truly penny wise and pound foolish.