chase pennies with dollars

US/t͡ʃeɪs ˈpɛniz wɪð ˈdɑlɚz/US/- wɪθ -/

verb

To expend more money or effort in gaining something (especially, a cost reduction or revenue addition) than it is worth.

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Meanings

verbchase pennies with dollars (third-person singular simple present chases pennies with dollars, present participle chasing pennies with dollars, simple past and past participle chased pennies with dollars)

present singular third person chases pennies with dollars · participle present chasing pennies with dollars · participle past chased pennies with dollars · past chased pennies with dollars

  1. USTo expend more money or effort in gaining something (especially, a cost reduction or revenue addition) than it is worth.

    "Irrational Greed: Chasing Pennies With Dollars"

    2012, L.G. Weinzimmer, J. McConoughey, The Wisdom of Failure: How to Learn the Tough Leadership Lessons Without Paying the Price
    1 more example

    “I believe we’re being asked to chase pennies with dollars, and it will cost the taxpayers.”

    2015, Glen Gainer, Charleston Gazette-Mail, State employee pay switch plan placed on hold

Origin

References the foolhardy nature of spending more money, resources, or time, in order to earn or save lesser amounts. Chiefly used within the United States, in business and finance settings and media.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

chase pennies with dollars. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chase%20pennies%20with%20dollars

MLA

“chase pennies with dollars.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chase%20pennies%20with%20dollars. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chase pennies with dollars,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chase%20pennies%20with%20dollars.

Source: chase pennies with dollars on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.