white elephant

Definition

A business or investment that is unprofitable and is likely to remain unprofitable. In the case of a business, a business usually becomes known as a white elephant if it is unable to turn a profit because it is so expensive to operate and maintain. Very few people are interested in owning or purchasing something considered to be a white elephant. The term is derived from a traditional Asian practice of a monarch owning a white elephant; the elephant was considered sacred, but it was very costly and impractical to own.