throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

Verb

Meaning

throw a sprat to catch a mackerel (third-person singular simple present throws a sprat to catch a mackerel, present participle throwing a sprat to catch a mackerel, simple past threw a sprat to catch a mackerel, past participle thrown a sprat to catch a mackerel)

(idiomatic) To sacrifice something of little value in the hope of gaining something better.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Close letter words and terms

throw a spanner in the works throw a spanner in the works of throw a spanner into the works throw a tantrum throw a wet blanket on throw a wobbly