From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfalse economyfalse economysomething that you think will save you money but which will really cost you more It’s a false economy not to have travel insurance. → false
Examples from the Corpus
false economy• Buying less than the best is a false economy.• Diane Chalmers, senior home care manager, says councillors and staff recognised that removing the service would be a false economy.• Do not skimp on batteries, it is a false economy.• From a point of view of commercial work, however, this is bad practice, and false economy.• Using briefing only may be a false economy.• It is false economy not to get the right expert, even though getting the right expert may be more expensive.• It would be a false economy not to treat divers. 