covet a little and lose a lot; go for the small things and miss things that are worthwhile; penny-wise and pound-foolish; seek small gains but ineur big losses
❍ 这个笨蛋总是自作聪明，实际上～。This silly fellow always thinks himself clever. Actually he only makes small gains but incurs big losses.
贪小失大
covet a little and lose a lot;seek small gains but incur big losses;be penny-wise and pound-foolish
贪小失大tān xiǎo shī dà
形容贪图小便宜而造成大的损失。covet a little and lose a lot, seek small gains but incur big losses, penny wise and pound foolish