throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

Questions

What does throw a sprat to catch a mackerel mean?

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

How to pronounce throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “throw a sprat to catch a mackerel”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “throw a sprat to catch a mackerel”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “throw a sprat to catch a mackerel” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.