The use of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (ADD) as a collector in the flotation of slime-containing copper sulfide ore typically produces a sticky froth, which results in poor flotation. The mechanism and effects of copper sulfide ore flotation in synergistic systems comprising ADD and terpenic oil reagents have been systematically investigated to solve this problem. A high ratio of ADD to terpenic oil is not conducive to the flotation of fine-grained copper sulfide ores; however, adjusting this ratio may improve floatation by reducing the effect of the slime. Lowering the ratio from 5:1 to 1:1 increased the copper grade from 17.7% to 20.8%, while the recovery was largely unchanged. Notably, adjusting this ratio also reduced the cost of the flotation reagent. To study the mechanism by which the ADD–to–terpenic oil ratio affects the foam performance, the froth stability tests of the gas–liquid two-phase and gas–liquid–solid three-phase systems were performed. Reducing the proportion of ADD reduced the froth water content and weakened the ability of the froth to collect gangue by adsorbtion with copper ions; this reduced gangue entrainment and maximized recovery and product quality.