- paper tiger
- UK / US
noun [countable]
Word forms "paper tiger":
singular paper tiger plural paper tigersa person, organization, or country that appears to be very powerful or dangerous but in fact is weak
English dictionary. 2014.
paper tiger
Look at other dictionaries:
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 — 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
