51Թ

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View synonyms for

paper tiger

noun

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


paper tiger

noun

  1. 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
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of paper tiger1

First recorded in 1945–50
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of paper tiger1

C20: translation of a Chinese phrase first applied to the US
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The whole world sees that America is now a paper tiger run by a fool and that's a very bad position for a fading superpower to be in.

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The fight over education can be a powerful way to demonstrate that Trump is a paper tiger, and if people stand up to him, he will often lose.

From

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

From

“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

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.

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