false economy

false economy (countable and uncountable, plural false economies)

1. An attempt to economize that fails because the less expensive approach is inferior in some way, or ultimately wastes more money than was saved.
   • 1943, Ward Glen Reeder, A First Course in Education:

     On the other hand, when money is saved and the efficiency of the school is injured, that is a 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:

     "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."

• buy cheap, buy twice
• good work ain't cheap, cheap work ain't good
• if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys; if you pay bananas, you get monkeys
• you buy cheap, you get cheap
• you get what you pay for