English Grammar
Phrase or Idiom Meaning
पडताळलेले उत्तर (Verified)
MPSC सराव प्रश्न:
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. This mansion that I inherited from my forefathers has become a white elephant to our family.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. This mansion that I inherited from my forefathers has become a white elephant to our family.
पर्याय (Options):
A
An artificial thing that causes damage
B
अचूक उत्तर (Official Answer)
A useless yet expensive thing
C
A dream that comes true
D
An animal that has been tamed
सविस्तर स्पष्टीकरण (Detailed Explanation):
अचूक उत्तर: पर्याय (2)
The correct answer is "A useless yet expensive thing".
Explanation & Key Takeaways:
• The idiom "white elephant" refers to a valuable but burdensome possession of which its owner cannot dispose and whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) is out of proportion to its usefulness or worth.
• In the sentence, it means that the mansion has become an expensive burden, costing more in upkeep than it is worth or more than the family finds it useful.
• For Example: “The farm that Eve inherited was barren and proved to be a white elephant.”
Therefore, the correct answer is "option 2".
Related Concepts:
• This idiom originated from ancient Asian cultures where the white elephant, considered sacred and lucky, was gifted to someone as a token of blessing but turned into trouble as its maintenance cost was very high, sometimes ruining the owner.