得不偿失

得不偿失 [dé bù cháng shī]

1. ■ The loss outweighs the gain.; Gains cannot make up for losses.; lose more than gain; more kicks than halfpence; pay (too dear) for one's whistle; The game is not worth the candle.; Give a lark to catch a kite.; What is gained does not make up for what is lost.:

不干得不偿失的活 avoid the work in which we lose more than we gain