English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
White elephant
Meaning
The idiom "white elephant" is used to describe a possession or object that is expensive, useful, but difficult to sell or move away. It can also refer to a burden or responsibility that is hard to get rid of. The figurative meaning suggests that the object or responsibility is like a white elephant - large, bulky, and hard to hide or get rid of.
Usage
- I don't want to take on that old car as my own. It's like a white elephant, just taking up space in my garage.
- He inherited his father's collection of antique books, but he can't seem to get rid of them. They're like a white elephant, always following him around.
- She bought a new house but can't sell her old one. It's like a white elephant, taking up all her time and energy.
- The company has been struggling to sell its new product, which is like a white elephant in the warehouse.
- He inherited his grandmother's jewelry box, but he doesn't wear any of it. It's like a white elephant, gathering dust in his drawer.
Roots and History
The phrase "white elephant" first appeared in English in the 17th century. The idiom comes from the fact that elephants were highly valued in ancient times, and owning one was considered a sign of wealth and power. However, elephants are large and difficult to care for, and they require a lot of space and resources. As a result, owning an elephant was often seen as a burden or responsibility that was hard to get rid of. Over time, the idiom has been used to describe any possession or object that is valuable but hard to sell or move away.
Synonyms in English
- Albatross
- Millstone
- White whale
- Burden
- Baggage
Synonyms in other languages
- Enfant perdu (French) - lost child
- もったいない (Japanese) - annoying or irritating
- ألبطون (Arabic) - belly button
- السكرة الأخضرة (Arabic) - green sugarcane
- فيلدملاء (Arabic) - people with thick eyebrows