on paper

Idioms and Phrases

In theory, hypothetically, as in Considering casualties, on paper the Americans won the Vietnam War , or They are a good team on paper but not so in the field . This metaphoric expression contrasts something written down with concrete reality. [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

But the perfect-on-paper candidate never caught fire within the GOP.

From The Daily Beast

How can plain ink-on-paper compete with reading as an action sport?

From The Daily Beast

Charles Ray has a suite of 15 ink-on-paper paintings in an adjacent room, depicting flowers with sinewy, rainbow-colored petals.

From The Daily Beast