1. thin strips or shavings of cheese, typically removed during trimming or preparation
Usage: usually plural; literal sense
2. petty or stingy savings; miserly economies on small amounts
Usage: usually plural; figurative sense; often used in the phrase 'cheeseparings and candle-ends'

Examples

• The cook discarded the cheeseparings left over from cutting the cheddar.
• The company's budget cuts amounted to mere cheeseparings that wouldn't solve the real problem.
• She was known for her cheeseparings and candle-ends approach to household expenses.
• The restaurant saved money through cheeseparings rather than investing in quality ingredients.
• His cheeseparings on office supplies frustrated the entire department.
• The government's cheeseparings on education funding drew criticism from teachers.