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lésiner

to skimp, to be stingy

verb lay-zee-NAY Rare
People & Society Money

Usage Note

Lésiner is typically used with the preposition sur: lésiner sur les moyens ('to cut corners', literally 'to skimp on means'). The phrase ne pas lésiner ('not to skimp') is often used positively — ils n'ont pas lésiné sur les efforts ('they spared no effort'). The related adjective lésineur ('penny-pinching') is rare.

Examples

"Il ne faut pas lésiner sur la qualité."

Natural Translation

You shouldn't skimp on quality.

Literal Translation

It must-not to-skimp on the quality.

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