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

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper tiger¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper tiger¹

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