white elephant
Meaning
A costly, burdensome possession or project that’s hard to maintain or get rid of and brings little value.
Origin
From Southeast Asian legends (notably Siam/Thailand) where rare white elephants were sacred. They couldn’t be put to work, yet their upkeep was expensive; a king might gift one to ruin a recipient financially.
Notes
Often used for expensive projects or assets (especially public works) that become a financial burden and are hard to dispose of. Neutral to critical tone; common in news/business.
Examples
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The city’s new stadium turned into a white elephant after the team moved away.
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That old boat was a white elephant—expensive to maintain and rarely used.
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They gifted us a white elephant of a treadmill that took up half the room.
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The museum expansion became a white elephant when ticket sales didn’t increase.
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Without a clear plan, the fancy software system quickly proved to be a white elephant.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Countable noun phrase: “a white elephant,” plural “white elephants.” Common patterns: “become/turn into a white elephant,” “a white elephant project.” Can be used attributively.
Synonyms
- money pit
- boondoggle
- albatross
- white-elephant project
Antonyms
- a good investment
- a valuable asset
- a bargain