- paper tiger
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a person, group, nation, or thing that has the appearance of strength or power but is actually weak or ineffectual.[1945-50]
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Universalium. 2010.
paper tiger
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Paper tiger — is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhǐ lǎohǔ (zh ts|t=紙老虎|s=紙老虎), meaning something which seems as threatening as a tiger, but is really harmless.The phrase is an ancient one in Chinese, but sources differ as to when it… … Wikipedia
paper tiger — Paper Pa per (p[=a] p[ e]r), n. [F. papier, fr. L. papyrus papyrus, from which the Egyptians made a kind of paper, Gr. pa pyros. Cf. {Papyrus}.] 1. A substance in the form of thin sheets or leaves intended to be written or printed on, or to be… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
paper tiger — A paper tiger is a person, country, institution, etc, that looks powerful, but is actually weak … The small dictionary of idiomes
paper tiger — paper tigers N COUNT If you say that an institution, a country, or a person is a paper tiger, you mean that although they seem powerful they do not really have any power … English dictionary
paper tiger — n an enemy or opponent who seems powerful but actually is not … Dictionary of contemporary English
paper tiger — noun count a person, organization, or country that appears to be very powerful or dangerous but in fact is weak … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
paper tiger — ► NOUN ▪ a person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual … English terms dictionary
paper tiger — ☆ paper tiger n. a person, nation, etc. that seems to pose a threat but is actually ineffective or powerless … English World dictionary
paper tiger — noun the nature of a person or organization that appears powerful but is actually powerless and ineffectual he reminded Mao that the paper tiger had nuclear teeth • Hypernyms: ↑powerlessness, ↑impotence, ↑impotency * * * noun, pl ⋯ gers [count] … Useful english dictionary
paper tiger — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms paper tiger : singular paper tiger plural paper tigers a person, organization, or country that appears to be very powerful or dangerous but in fact is weak … English dictionary
paper tiger — A paper tiger is a person, country, institution, etc, that looks powerful, but is actually weak. (Dorking School Dictionary) *** This term refers to a person, organization or country that is less powerful or threatening than they… … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
