Synonyms

paper tiger

American

noun

a person, group, nation, or thing that has the appearance of strength or power but is actually weak or ineffectual.

paper tiger British

noun

a nation, institution, etc, that appears powerful but is in fact weak or insignificant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paper tiger

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Driving him into exile is an opportunity for the president to paint the grouping a paper tiger.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The missile threat has proven to be a paper tiger," says Mr Jeffrey.

From BBC

“I think it’s a serious paper tiger we’re dealing with here. I don’t think for 60 days they can keep the train on the tracks.”

From Salon

The escalation was designed to show the world that Iran was a "paper tiger", said Fawaz Gerges, professor of International Relations at London School of Economics.

From BBC

We have 11 months to find out if this paper tiger can become a real one.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023