CEDICT
to try to save a little only to lose a lot; to spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar; to be penny wise and pound foolish
Wiktionary
为了小缘故而贻误大事。《儿女英雄传．第二三回》：「再说看那姑娘的见识心胸，大概也未必肯吃这注，倘然因小失大，转为不妙。」也作「为小失大」。
重編國語辭典