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.

During a debate in the House of Lords, Conservative peer Lord Forsyth called the project a "complete white elephant and a disaster".

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2025

But the IOC is sensitive about spiraling costs and potential white elephant projects, so is encouraging local organizers to use venues in other countries.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 29, 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