white elephant

Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Financial, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia

0.01 sec.

white elephant

something that is large and unwieldy and is either a nuisance or expensive to keep up. Bob's father-in-law has given him an old Rolls Royce, but it's a real white elephant. He has no place to park it and can't afford the gas for it. Those antique vases Aunt Mary gave me are white elephants. They're ugly and I have no place to put them.

See also: elephant, white

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

References in classic literature	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
He ran his finger over them, and when he came to Siam he contemplated with great attention the red field and the white elephant. Typhoon by Conrad, Joseph View in context And I will not say what my first act was when I found myself alone with my white elephant in the middle of the room; enough that the siphon was still doing its work when the glass slipped through my fingers to the floor. A Thief in the Night by Hornung, E. W. View in context Then, follow white elephants caparisoned in countless gorgeous colours, and infinite in number and attendants. The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Dickens, Charles View in context			whip on whip out whip over whip through whip up whipping whipping boy whirl whirl around whirlwind whisk whisk around whisk away whisk off whisker whisper whisper about whisper around whistle whistle at whistle for whistle in the dark whistling in the dark white white as a sheet white elephant white knuckle white trash white-bread white-collar whiter than white whittle whittle at whittle away whittle down whittle down to size whittle out of whiz whiz past whiz through who Who cares? Who do you think you are? Who do you think you're kidding? Who do you think you're talking to? Who do you want? Who is this? Who knows? who needs Who needs it? Who the hell?			White Dot Syndrome White Dove Healing Arts White Dove Release Professionals White Dragon Warriors White Dragons of Bushido White Dryad White Dryas white dura white dura White Dust white dwarf white dwarf white dwarf White dwarf branch stars White dwarf branch stars White Dwarf Evolution Code White Dwarf Luminosity Function white dwarf star white dwarf star White dwarfs White dwarfs White Dwarves White Dwarves White Eagle Aviation SA White Eagle Red Star White Earth Health Center White Earth Land Recovery Project White Earth Land Settlement Act White Earth Tribal and Community College White Electronic Designs Corp. white elephant White elephant sale White elephants White elephants White elephants white elm White emasculator White Ember Sand Valley White Emigre White emigres White Émigrés White Ensign white ensigns White Entertainment Television White Exponential Noise White Eye white eye calf syndrome White Eye Reflex white eye syndrome white eye syndrome white eye syndrome white eye syndrome white face White Faced Hornet Venom White Fairy White Fairy white fairy lantern white false indigo White Farm Equipment White fat White fat

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.