pink elephants

American  

plural noun

1. any of various visual hallucinations sometimes experienced as a withdrawal symptom after sustained alcoholic drinking.

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pink elephants British  

plural noun

1. a facetious name applied to hallucinations caused by drunkenness

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Etymology

Origin of pink elephants

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Their swaddles are in prints of pink elephants or flowers.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2022

There is even a happy parade of pink elephants, a last-minute reference to the 1941 cartoon.

From The Guardian • Mar. 21, 2019

His girlfriend, a fellow exchange student, made him a needlepoint belt for his 21st birthday: his initials and little pink elephants drinking martinis.

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2015

The park’s 37 acres are populated by dozens of large iron figures of pigs and dragons, flying saucers and sunflowers, mermaids and pink elephants, all standing at various intervals alongside a winding road.

From Washington Times • Mar. 15, 2015

"I'd believe ye sooner if ye said ye saw pink elephants," said Jarrow.

From Isle o' Dreams by Coleman, Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen)