white elephant
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lord Forsyth described the project as "a complete white elephant and a disaster" and Leader of the House Baroness Smith of Basildon called the situation "unacceptable".
From BBC • Oct. 15, 2025
Costing £250m, it was substantially cheaper than Supertram but critics said it lacked ambition, while others branded it a costly white elephant, noting that nowhere else in the UK had built a new trolleybus line.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2025
The IOC is sensitive about spiraling costs and potential white elephant projects, so encourages local organizers to use venues in other countries.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2024
Morales unveils his white elephant gift during a Nochebuena celebration at he and his husband’s home.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2023
On the page, red diamond-covered trailers passed by first, and each one advertised its contents: roaring lions and tigers, charging rhinos and furious hippos, and a majestic white elephant at the very end.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
