Paper Tiger (Noun)
Meaning
The nature of a person or organization that appears powerful but is actually powerless and ineffectual; "he reminded Mao that the paper tiger had nuclear teeth".
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The new CEO was a paper tiger, all bark and no bite, and the employees quickly lost respect for him.
- The company's threats of lawsuits were just a bluff, and the judge saw them as a paper tiger.
- Despite its intimidating appearance, the regulatory agency was a paper tiger, unable to enforce its own rules.
- The politician's tough talk on crime was just a facade, and he was revealed to be a paper tiger when it came to actual policy changes.
- The union's leadership was a paper tiger, making bold demands but ultimately caving to management's pressure.