# 贪小失大

tān xiǎo shī dà

Lose something important for a minor gain

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Covet the small and lose the large

**Traditional Chinese:** 貪小失大

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Warn against short-term bargains with greater costs.

Savings are useful when the tradeoff is sound.

## Understanding the expression

A small benefit attracts attention while a larger value is overlooked. The expression describes choices such as using unsafe parts to save money or accepting a tiny bribe that destroys trust. The fault is the poor comparison of consequences, not every attempt to economize. A genuine bargain preserves what matters. Evaluating longer term costs, reliability, and obligations helps distinguish sensible thrift from a choice that sacrifices much more than it gains.

## Examples

买劣质零件省钱，反而贪小失大。

### Traditional Chinese

買劣質零件省錢，反而貪小失大。

mǎi liè zhì líng jiàn shěng qián ， fǎn ér tān xiǎo shī dà 。

Saving money on poor-quality parts caused a much greater loss.

为一点回扣失去信用，真是贪小失大。

### Traditional Chinese

為一點回扣失去信用，真是貪小失大。

wèi yì diǎn huí kòu shī qù xìn yòng ， zhēn shì tān xiǎo shī dà 。

Losing trust for a small kickback sacrifices far too much.

别贪小失大，安全不能省。

### Traditional Chinese

別貪小失大，安全不能省。

bié tān xiǎo shī dà ， ān quán bù néng shěng 。

Do not sacrifice something important for a small saving; safety cannot be cut.

他绕远路省车费，误了面试，贪小失大。

### Traditional Chinese

他繞遠路省車費，誤了面試，貪小失大。

tā rào yuǎn lù shěng chē fèi ， wù le miàn shì ， tān xiǎo shī dà 。

He took a detour to save fare, missed the interview, and lost much more than he saved.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%B2%AA%E5%B0%8F%E5%A4%B1%E5%A4%A7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=929&webMd=1&la=0)

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