Paper Tiger Definition

noun
One that is seemingly dangerous and powerful but is in fact timid and weak.
American Heritage
A person, nation, etc. that seems to pose a threat but is actually ineffective or powerless.
Webster's New World

(idiomatic) A seemingly fierce person or thing without the ability to back up their words.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Paper Tiger

Noun

Singular:
paper tiger
Plural:
paper-tigers

Origin of Paper Tiger

  • Translating Mandarin 纸老虎 (simplified) / 紙老虎 (traditional) / zhǐ lǎohǔ (pinyin)

    From Wiktionary

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