throw a sprat to catch a mackerel: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  BritishhistoricalglobalproverbialliteraryneutralMachine
  • To sacrifice or give up something small or of little value in order to obtain something larger or more valuable.
  • To make a minor concession or loss with the aim of achieving a greater advantage or gain.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The company threw a sprat to catch a mackerel by offering a small discount to attract big clients.

    La empresa sacrificó poco para ganar mucho ofreciendo un pequeño descuento para atraer grandes clientes.

  • Sometimes you have to throw a sprat to catch a mackerel, like investing a little to gain a larger return later.

    A veces hay que sacrificar algo pequeño para ganar más, como invertir un poco para obtener un mayor beneficio después.

  • He threw a sprat to catch a mackerel when he agreed to the minor inconvenience in exchange for a better deal.

    Sacrificó algo pequeño para obtener algo mejor al aceptar una pequeña molestia a cambio de un mejor trato.