white elephant
noun[C]
uk/ˌwaɪt ˈel.ɪ.fənt/us/ˌwaɪt ˈel.ɪ.fənt/[usually singular]disapproving
something that isexpensive, or thatcostsa lot ofmoneytokeepin goodcondition, but that has nousefulpurposeand is nolongerwanted:
Shebelievesthedevelopmentmaybecomeawhiteelephantthatfailstoattractsuitabletenants.
TheOlympiccommitteediscourageshostcitiesfrombuildingsportsvenuesthatturnintocostlywhiteelephants.
something that somebody nolongerwantsbut that isofferedforsaleto otherpeople:
Pleasedonateallyourwhiteelephantsfor us tosellinourcharityshop.
Employeesorganizedalunchtimewhiteelephantsalewhichraisedmore than £100.
- Thewastemanagementsystemwasperceivedas awhiteelephantafter only eightyearsofexistence.
- Thereneedsto be enoughmoneyfor anendowmentfundtomaintainthesevenuesbecause, without it, theybecomewhiteelephants.
- Therurallandscapeislitteredwithmuseumswith little toexhibit,roadsthatleadnowhereand otherwhiteelephants.
- There will berefreshmentsandwhiteelephantstallsplusagrandprizedraw.
Expensive & luxurious
- champagne
- costliness
- delicacy
- expensively
- fancy
- gold plate
- graciousness
- luxury goods
- no expense is sparedidiom
- opulent
- precious
- premium-rate
- prestige
- priceless
- sumptuously
- super-deluxe
- super-expensive
- swish
- upmarket
- valuable
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Rubbish and waste