Search results
- Dictionarywhite elephant/ˌwʌɪt ˈɛlɪf(ə)nt/
noun
- 1. a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of: "a huge white elephant of a house that needed ten thousand spent on it"
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
A white elephant is a possession that its owner cannot dispose of without extreme difficulty, and whose cost, particularly that of maintenance, is out of proportion to its usefulness.
something that is expensive, or that costs a lot of money to keep in good condition, but that has no useful purpose and is no longer wanted: She believes the development may become a white elephant that fails to attract suitable tenants. The Olympic committee discourages host cities from building sports venues that turn into costly white elephants.
Nov 2, 2023 · An item that is expensive and hard to maintain or get rid of. A gift that may be considered a burden rather than something beneficial. Something that stands out because of its size or cost but is not very useful.
The meaning of WHITE ELEPHANT is an Asian elephant of a pale color that is sometimes venerated in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar. Did you know?
What's the meaning of the phrase 'A white elephant'? Originally ‘white elephants’ were simply that – elephants that were white. Later, the expression came to mean ‘a burdensome possession – one that is more trouble than it is worth’.
The white elephant is a symbol of gentleness, majesty, protection, and purity. As well as being considered a symbol of success and a calm mind. The historic symbolism of the white elephant is related to fertility, and many cultures perform rituals around these gentle giants.
May 4, 2021 · W. white elephant. Meaning. an expensive item with no use or purpose. burdensome possession. something that’s not useful anymore and costs a lot to keep. anything that has only imaginary or perhaps aesthetic value for the owner, but has no practical or functional value.
An expensive item that is troublesome or useless. The term comes from a story about the king of Siam, who was said to have given an albino elephant, considered sacred, to a member of the court whom he disliked, knowing that taking care of the animal would exhaust the person's fortune.
White elephant refers to an asset or any property which is quite expensive to maintain in comparison to its usefulness or productivity. The property or asset carries a high cost of maintenance, and it rarely results in a profitable operation.
An object that appears magnificent but which is a burdensome financial liability. Examples. The Empire State Building was a remarkable achievement but, for years after it was built, it had few tenants and was really a white elephant for its developers. Where did it originate? Britain, late 19th century. Where is it used? Worldwide.
