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A white elephant is a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its usefulness. In some Eastern countries elephants born white were considered sacred and had to be well looked after and not allowed to work. A lot of expense for no benefit. In modern terms a white elephant could be Dad's vintage car, or the countries overseas protectorates, or the family villa in far off Lalaland.
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∙ 2009-12-09 16:33:04
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What does the idiom a white elephant mean?
Someone who buys a white elephant has bought a possession that is useless or troublesome. For instance, after buying the property, the new owner discovered he had bought a white elephant. The renovation alone would cost almost the original house price, with the probability of further costs in the future.
What does koongyi mean?
A timber elephant
What is the meaning of the idiom 'white elephant'?
A white elephant is something really expensive to keep up, but which you can't get rid of. This originated during the time of the Rajahs in India, when giving someone a white elephant was a way of subtly punishing them - they had to keep the elephant and treat it well so that the Rajah didn't become offended, but elephants are very expensive to feed and take care of!A large house can be a white elephant if you are expected to keep it in the family.A white elephant is a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its usefulness. In some Eastern countries elephants born white were considered sacred and had to be well looked after and not allowed to work. A lot of expense for no benefit. In modern terms a white elephant could be Dad's vintage car, or the countries overseas protectorates, or the family villa in far off Lalaland.
What is white elephant?
"White Elephant", the first single from the album Gravity the Seducer by the electronic music band Ladytron - it is also slang for something expensive that you have to keep to make people happy. Indian rulers would give a white elephant to someone they didn't really like in order to make them lose money trying to feed and care for the animal so as not to insult the ruler.
What is the suitable idiom for something useless and expensive to keep?
That would be "white elephant." The phrase became popular from Indian history, when rulers would punish someone by giving them the gift of a rare white elephant -- the person would then be responsible for taking very good care of that gift and spending a lot of money keeping the elephant alive and happy!
Why did the mighty castle turn into a white elephant?
Well... To be honest, an inanimate object such as a castle cannot turn into an elephant, especially if it's an white elephant, although I don't think this is what you mean, will you please be slightly clearer with your definition of a "white elephant".
Why is white elephant called white elephant?
Becuase it is full of White Elephants!!:)
What does thai mean in thai?
thai means white elephant. so Thailand means land of white elephant Thai doesn't mean White elephant. It neans free to do/choose or freedom depending on context Passa Thai = Thai Language. Pood Passa Thai, = speak Thai language.
Make sentences-a white elephant?
One sentence that uses the words a white elephant is "White elephants are sacred to people in Asia". Another sentence is " A white elephant is an albino elephant".
What is type of elephant?
White elephant
What is a white elephant?
A white elephant is a albino elephant, so instead of grey, they are white in color.A white elephant is a description given to something that is big, probably very expensive, and of no use to anybody.
Where is the place of white elephant?
White Elephant is generally found in Thailand.
When was King of the White Elephant created?
King of the White Elephant was created in 1940.
When did White Elephant Orchestra end?
White Elephant Orchestra ended in 1972.
When was The Stolen White Elephant created?
The Stolen White Elephant was created in 1882.
When was Elephant White created?
Elephant White was created on 2011-04-08.
When did Order of the White Elephant happen?
Order of the White Elephant happened in 1869.
