得不償失

得不偿失
débùchángshī
the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)

CEDICT

Entry Composition

=1 得 dé
  1. to obtain
  2. to get
  3. to gain
  4. to catch (a disease)
  5. proper
  6. suitable
  7. proud
  8. contented
  9. to allow
  10. to permit
  11. ready
  12. finished
=1 得 de structural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etc
2 不 bù
  1. no; not so
  2. (bound form) not; un-
3 償 cháng
  1. to repay
  2. to compensate for
  3. to recompense
  4. to fulfill (hopes etc)
4 失 shī
  1. to lose
  2. to miss
  3. to fail