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Spoil the ship for a ha'pworth of tar meaning

What does the saying 'Spoil the ship for a ha'pworth of tar' mean?

Idiom: Spoil the ship for a ha'pworth of tar

Meaning:

If someone spoils the ship for a ha'pworth (halfpenny's worth) of tar, they spoil something completely by trying to make a small economy.
Country: British English British English | Subject Area: Money | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
All idioms have been editorially reviewed, and submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness.
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