spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar



spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar

to spoil something big or important by refusing to spend a small amount of money or make a small amount of effort They spent millions on a wonderful architect-designed building, but they've bought really cheap furniture. It's just spoiling the ship for a hap'orth of tar.
See also: of, ship, spoil, tar

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Cipriancheep-RYAHNRomanian
JaylaJAY-ləEnglish (Modern)
Edur-Basque
Janko-Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Slovak
Deniel-Breton
Aloys-Medieval Occitan