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.
Commercial flights have previously been hampered by wind conditions and the facility was labelled a "white elephant" by the Public Accounts Committee.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
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
But the aging ship has in recent years become more of a white elephant in need of millions of dollars in repairs just to stay afloat.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2024
This deed came about in the 1990s when Mr Trump said Mar-a-Lago was too expensive to be preserved as a private residence, calling it a "white elephant" that was "almost impossible to sell".
From BBC • Dec. 10, 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
