false economy
noun
: something that costs less at first but results in more money being spent later
Using cheap materials proved to be a false economy.
Examples of false economy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Department of Government Efficiency’s proposal to cut up to 25% of IRS staffing earlier this year is a textbook case of false economy.
—
Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The False Economy of Customer Labor Self-checkout represents a false economy for retailers.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Ensure that your plan takes advantage of falling costs, but bear in mind that waiting too long could be a false economy that will cost you in unexpected ways.
—Michael Abbott, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
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Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The False Economy of Customer Labor Self-checkout represents a false economy for retailers.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Ensure that your plan takes advantage of falling costs, but bear in mind that waiting too long could be a false economy that will cost you in unexpected ways.
—Michael Abbott, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“False economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20economy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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