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paper tiger

noun

Simple Definition of paper tiger

  • : someone or something that appears powerful or dangerous but is not

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of paper tiger

  1. :  one that is outwardly powerful or dangerous but inwardly weak or ineffectual

See paper tiger defined for English-language learners

See words that rhyme with paper tiger



Examples of paper tiger in a sentence

  1. The new laws are just paper tigers without any method of enforcement.



1850

First Known Use of paper tiger

1850

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Examples: paper tiger in a sentence