elephant

S2 W2

BrE /ˈelɪfənt/ AmE /ˈɛləfənt/

noun en → es

1 ANIMAL [singular] A2

a large grey animal with a long nose and a curved trunk, used in Asia for carrying people or things

elefante

Collocations an elephant's memory

  • The elephant is a symbol of wisdom.

    El elefante es un símbolo de sabiduría.

2 SIMILARITY [T + obj] B1

to say that someone or something is like an elephant, especially because they are large and difficult to move or change

ser como un elefante

Collocations like a herd of elephants

  • The car was as big as an elephant.

    El coche era tan grande como un elefante.

3 PROBLEM [singular] B2

a very large and difficult problem or situation that is hard to deal with

problema enorme, dificultad grande

Collocations an elephant in the room

  • We need to address this elephant in the room.

    Necesitamos abordar este problema enorme.

Idioms

the white elephant B2

el elefante blanco

  • This project is a real white elephant.

    Este proyecto es un auténtico elefante blanco.

to ride the elephant C1

montar en el elefante, subirse al elefante

  • He decided to ride the elephant and take on the challenge.

    Decidió montarse en el elefante y enfrentar el desafío.