Crossword Genius

Scale of money spent may represent this? (5,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

false economy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'represent this?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'scale of money spent' is the wordplay.
'spent' indicates anagramming the letters.
'scale'+'of'+'money'='scaleofmoney'
'scaleofmoney' is an anagram of 'FALSE ECONOMY'.

'may' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for false economy that I've seen before include "It doesn't pay in the long run" , "Specious financial saving" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app