PAPER TIGER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The nature of a person or organization that appears powerful but is actually powerless and ineffectual

Example:

he reminded Mao that the paper tiger had nuclear teeth

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("paper tiger" is a kind of...):

impotence; impotency; powerlessness (the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble)

Credits