White elephant
volume
British pronunciation/wˈaɪt ˈɛlɪfənt/
American pronunciation/wˈaɪt ˈɛlɪfənt/

Definition & Meaning of "white elephant"

White elephant
01

a thing that is of no value or use because it is excessively expensive to keep it in a good condition

white elephant definition and meaning
IdiomIdiom

What is the origin of the idiom "white elephant" and when to use it?

The idiom "white elephant" traces its origin back to ancient Southeast Asia, where white elephants were considered sacred and were often owned by monarchs or held as a symbol of high status and prestige. It is used to describe something that is expensive to maintain, burdensome, or impractical, often referring to a possession or project that has little value or benefit.

02

albinic Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in east Asia

white elephant

n
example
Example
The grand mansion they inherited turned out to be a white elephant, requiring extensive repairs and high maintenance costs.
The new software system, despite its promising features, proved to be a white elephant for the company due to constant glitches and compatibility issues.
The country's political instability was the white elephant in the room at the international summit, but no one wanted to risk diplomatic relations by discussing it openly.
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