# paper tiger

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/paper-tiger
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something or someone that appears powerful, strong or threatening but is in reality weak, ineffective, or unable to withstand challenge.

## Examples

- That loud manager is just a paper tiger.
- The strict new law is a paper tiger because nobody enforces it.
- The company threatened to sue us, but they turned out to be a paper tiger with no real legal case.
- The new security software seemed impressive at first, but it was a paper tiger that failed to stop even the most basic viruses.
- You should not fear his angry emails, as he is a paper tiger who never actually follows through on his threats.
- While the dictator’s rhetoric initially terrified the neighboring nations, his military proved to be a paper tiger when the conflict finally began.

## Origin

A calque of the Chinese phrase 紙老虎, or zhǐlǎohǔ, the term first appeared in English in 1828 within the work of the British missionary and lexicographer Robert Morrison. While the expression is of pre-modern origin, it gained international prominence in the 20th century after being popularized by Mao Zedong.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.