# 因小失大

yīn xiǎo shī dà

Lose a greater benefit for a smaller one

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Because of the small, lose the large

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Warn that a minor gain or concern can undermine a larger aim.

The larger aim should be explained rather than assumed.

## The image & its use

A person might spend so much time choosing a decorative cover that there is no time left to finish the useful information inside. This expression compares the small concern with the larger purpose that it displaces. It often appears in advice about priorities, timing, and tradeoffs. The judgment depends on the situation: a detail that seems small to one person may matter greatly to another. Explain the main aim and the actual consequence before concluding that the choice gave up too much.

## Examples

别为了封面反复修改而耽误正文，免得因小失大。

### Traditional Chinese

別為了封面反覆修改而耽誤正文，免得因小失大。

bié wèi le fēng miàn fǎn fù xiū gǎi ér dān wù zhèng wén ， miǎn de yīn xiǎo shī dà 。

Do not delay the main text by repeatedly changing the cover and losing the greater benefit.

省下少量材料却影响质量，可能因小失大。

### Traditional Chinese

省下少量材料卻影響質量，可能因小失大。

shěng xià shǎo liàng cái liào què yǐng xiǎng zhì liàng ， kě néng yīn xiǎo shī dà 。

Saving a little material at the expense of quality may sacrifice the greater value.

安排旅行时，别因小失大，忽略了大家的时间。

### Traditional Chinese

安排旅行時，別因小失大，忽略了大家的時間。

ān pái lǚ xíng shí ， bié yīn xiǎo shī dà ， hū lüè le dà jiā de shí jiān 。

Do not overlook everyone's time for a minor advantage when planning the trip.

她重新考虑了优先顺序，避免因小失大。

### Traditional Chinese

她重新考慮了優先順序，避免因小失大。

tā chóng xīn kǎo lǜ le yōu xiān shùn xù ， bì miǎn yīn xiǎo shī dà 。

She reconsidered the priorities to avoid sacrificing a larger goal for a smaller one.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1350&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%9B%A0%E5%B0%8F%E5%A4%B1%E5%A4%A7)

## Keep exploring

- [因噎废食 yīn yē fèi shí Abandon something useful because of a risk ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yin-ye-fei-shi)

- [有备无患 yǒu bèi wú huàn Preparation prevents trouble ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-bei-wu-huan)

- [优柔寡断 yōu róu guǎ duàn Be habitually indecisive ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-rou-gua-duan)

- [犹豫不决 yóu yù bù jué Hesitate without making a decision ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-yu-bu-jue)

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