circus elephant
Big top performer
A circus elephant is a large elephant trained to perform tricks and displays in traveling circuses—standing on platforms, balancing on balls, or forming lines trunk-to-tail.
The practice has declined sharply as awareness of animal welfare concerns grew.
Figuratively, a circus elephant describes something awkwardly large or out of place: Moving the piano through the hallway felt like wrangling a circus elephant.
- trunkMain stem or storage
- tusksExtended animal incisors
- peanutsEdible underground legumes
- big topMain circus tent
- center ringPrimary performance space
performer · trained · pachyderm · Dumbo · parade · ring · acrobat · gray · majestic · captive · trainer · stool · costume · sequins · sawdust · trumpet · traveling show · gentle giant
- working animalsherding, gun dog, guarding, pulling, hunting dog