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

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on paper

Albuquerque’s husband, writer Carey Peck, who has known Wolfe since high school, said of the gallerist’s eclectic circle: “Those worlds don’t go together on paper, but Ernie made the relationships, and he made that happen.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Put your income and expenses on paper, and give yourself a five-year stress test.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Because inflation measures also don’t include all of the costs that households face, many people might feel even further behind than they are on paper.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Caron, 16, said the test was different to usual assessments because they didn't revise for it and it was online rather than on paper "so that felt a bit weird".

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

We had to sign up on paper and tell her which programs we wanted to watch, why, and how it would contribute to our education.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals