Last Updated：2024/06/27

to try to save a little only to lose a lot; to spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar; to be penny wise and pound foolish

See correct answer

焼け跡の釘拾い

Source Word

焼け跡の釘拾い

Hiragana

やけあとのくぎひろい

Phrase

idiomatic

to try to save a little only to lose a lot; to spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar; to be penny wise and pound foolish

Japanese Meaning

焼け跡の釘拾い

Easy Japanese Meaning

小さなとくをえようとして、大きなものやだいじなものをうしなってしまうこと

彼は焼け跡の釘拾いをして、大切なものを失った。

He tried to save a little only to lose a lot, like picking up nails from the ruins.

Sense（1）

to try to save a little only to lose a lot; to spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar; to be penny wise and pound foolish

焼 (や)け跡 (あと)の釘 (くぎ)拾 (ひろ)い

（ canonical ）

yakeato no kugihiroi

（ romanization ）