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

Make sure you have a thing before you decide what to do with it.

(colloquial, dated)

plural of catch-'em-alive-O

(slang, obsolete) A live-trap (trap designed to catch animals without killing them).

present participle of throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

simple past tense of throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

past participle of throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

People who behave wickedly receive their just deserts.