a white elephant

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a white elephant

something that has cost a lot of money but has no useful purpose The town's new leisure centre, recently completed at a cost of ten million pounds, seems likely to prove a white elephant.

See also: elephant, white

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A ruler possessing a white elephant would be recognized as an exalted and righteous monarch and 'Lord of the White Elephant. The white elephant in London: an episode of trickery, racism and ... by Amato, Sarah / Journal of Social History Paul said he thought that most local people were not interested in skiing and, if the centre fails, it will become a white elephant and an eyesore. Remember When by Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough, England) Byline: G Sawyer BET DAVIES (Viewpoints, November 6) berated JC Bird for calling the Millennium Centre a white elephant and suggesting the Assembly is the same. Letter: View Point - Elephant tag is quite fitting by South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales)			a train of thought a Trojan horse a trump card a turf war a turkey shoot a turn of phrase a turn of the screw a two-way street a vicious circle a voice in the wilderness a volte-face a wake-up call a walk of life a war of words A watched pot never boils a way of life a weak link a wet blanket a wet dream a whale of a a whale of a [bill etc.] a whale of a [job etc.] a whip-round a whipping boy a whistle-stop tour a white elephant a white knight a white lie a whizz-kid a whole new ball game a wide boy a wild card a wild-goose chase a wise guy a wish list a witch-hunt a wolf in sheep's clothing a wolf whistle A woman's place is in the home A woman's work is never done a word to the wise a working over a world of difference a worm's eye view a yes man a zero-sum game a/ place in the sun a/ smart mouth abandon Abandon hope, all ye who enter here abandon oneself to			A Web Factory A week is a long time in politics A Week of Kindness a week on a week on a week on A Weekend in the City a weight off mind A Wel Drem Prod A Well Regulated Militia A West Side Fabrication A wet blanket A wet blanket a wet dream a whack at something a whale of a a whale of a a whale of a a whale of a a whale of a [bill etc.] a whale of a [job etc.] a whale of an a whale of an a whale of an A wheel within a wheel A While Back a whip-round a whipping boy A Whisper to a Scream a whistle-stop tour a white elephant a white knight a white lie A whited sepulcher A Whiter Shade of Pale a whizz-kid A Whole Bunch of Acronyms a whole lot more a whole new ball game a wide berth a wide berth a wide berth a wide berth a wide boy a wild card A wild goose chase a wild-goose chase A Wilhelm Scream A Window Between Worlds a wise guy a wise head on young shoulders a wise-ass A Wish For Marilynne a wish list a witch-hunt A Wizard of Earthsea A Wizard, a True Star a wolf in sheep's clothing

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