on paper

Idioms  

1. In theory, hypothetically, as in Considering casualties, on paper the Americans won the Vietnam War, or They are a good team on paper but not so in the field. This metaphoric expression contrasts something written down with concrete reality. [Late 1700s]

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Example Sentences

This can be achieved on paper, but not in reality.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

But raising the quota on paper may not have much impact on actual production, which is already short of the limit.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

The Johnson administration adopted what’s known as the unified budget concept in 1968, combining several federal trust funds, including Social Security’s, with the general operating budget — on paper only.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

But this production at the August Wilson Theatre makes a good deal of sense on paper.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

It was one thing to visualize all this on paper, another to execute it.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson