white elephant

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The term "white elephant" has a few meanings, and it can be used in different contexts. Let's break it down:

Basic Definition

• White Elephant (noun): Originally, a "white elephant" refers to a rare and sacred elephant found in parts of Asia, particularly in countries like India and Thailand. These elephants are considered valuable, but they are also very expensive to take care of.

Common Usage

• General Meaning: In modern usage, "white elephant" often refers to a possession, project, or undertaking that is more costly to maintain than it is worth. It might be something that seemed valuable at first but turns out to be a burden.

Example Sentences

1. "The old mansion they bought has become a white elephant; the repairs are too expensive."
2. "During the holidays, we participate in a white elephant gift exchange, where we give silly or unwanted gifts."

Advanced Usage

• In more complex contexts, you might hear "white elephant" used in discussions about projects, investments, or resources that require a lot of money and effort but do not provide significant benefits.

Word Variants

• There aren’t many direct variants of "white elephant," but the term can be adapted into phrases like "white elephant project" or "white elephant gift."

Different Meanings

• Cultural Significance: In some cultures, especially in Southeast Asia, owning a white elephant is a symbol of high status and prestige, but it is also a responsibility due to the costs involved in caring for it.

Synonyms

• Burden
• Liability
• Albatross
• Financial drain

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• While "white elephant" itself is not part of a larger idiom or phrasal verb, the idea of something being a burden can be connected to phrases like “carry a heavy load” or “a thorn in one’s side.”

Conclusion

In summary, a "white elephant" can refer to a rare, valuable creature in some cultures, but more commonly, it describes something that is costly to maintain and may not provide enough value in return.

Academic

Noun

1. albinic Indian elephant; rare and sometimes venerated in east Asia
2. a valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive