PhrasesHub

Paper tiger

    Definitions

      • something that appears threatening but is actually harmless
        Describe something or someone that seems powerful or dangerous but is not actually so

      • weak or ineffectual
        Describe something or someone that may seem strong or impressive but is actually weak or ineffective

    Examples of Paper tiger

    • The company's marketing department seems very intimidating on paper, with impressive titles and glossy brochures, but in reality they are a paper tiger without much substance or impact.

      This idiom refers to something that appears to be powerful or threatening, but in reality has little real influence or capability. In this example, the marketing department may have impressive job titles and flashy materials, but their actual performance and results may be lacking. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between outward appearance and inner weakness, and suggests that one should not be too intimidated by someone or something that is all show and no action.

    • Although Sarah's resume is impressive, in actuality, her boss sees her as a paper tiger in the workplace. She may have a powerful job title and impressive credentials, but when it comes to making important decisions and taking action, she lacks the courage and confidence to follow through. Her boss has learned to be wary of her verbose proposals and empty promises.

      A paper tiger is a person or thing that appears formidable at first glance but, in reality, is harmless or powerless. In this context, Sarah's boss sees her as a paper tiger because she may have a position of authority or impressive credentials on paper, but she lacks the ability to effectively lead and make important decisions. The term "paper tiger" implies that Sarah may make bold statements or proposals, but she lacks the courage or confidence to follow through with them, making her a figurehead without real power.

    • The small, inexperienced competitor may appear intimidating on paper, but in reality, they are a paper tiger. Their marketing materials and website may boast impressive statistics and claims, but in actual practice, they lack the resources and expertise necessary to deliver on their promises.

      The phrase "paper tiger" is a figurative expression that describes someone or something that appears powerful or threatening but is actually weak or ineffectual. In the context of business, a paper tiger can refer to a small, relatively unknown company that presents itself as a major player in the industry through elaborate marketing or exaggerated claims. Despite their aggressive appearance, however, they are often unable to deliver on their promises and may ultimately fail to compete with larger, more established companies in the market.

    • The rival firm's CEO was quick to label our company a paper tiger, but we proved them wrong by delivering exceptional results for our clients and earning a reputation as a leader in the industry.

      The phrase "proved them wrong" is used to convey the idea that the speaker's actions or performance disproved a previous assumption or belief held by someone else. In this case, the speaker's company was accused of being a paper tiger by a rival firm's CEO, but through their successful performance and positive reputation, they were able to demonstrate that they were, in fact, a formidable competitor in the industry.

    • Our company's strategy was to avoid engaging in pointless battles with paper tigers and instead focus our resources on the most promising opportunities in the market.

      The phrase "paper tigers" is used here as a descriptive term for hypothetical competitors, rather than actual companies. The speaker's intent is to emphasize that they prefer to focus their resources on more substantial and profitable opportunities rather than wasting time and energy on companies that appear tough on paper but lack the necessary resources and expertise to be a serious threat.

    • We were initially wary of working with this client, as their previous track record made them seem like a paper tiger. But after careful consideration, we decided to take on the project and were pleasantly surprised by their professionalism and commitment to our collaboration.

      The phrase "paper tiger" is used in this context to describe a client who seems challenging or difficult to work with due to their reputation, past behavior, or other factors. However, after working with them, the speaker discovered that their initial assessment was inaccurate, and the client turned out to be a reliable and cooperative partner.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "paper tiger" is used to describe something or someone that appears threatening or powerful but is actually harmless or weak. It can be used to caution against overestimating the strength or influence of a person or thing, or to describe something that is ultimately ineffective despite its initial appearance of power.

    The term "paper tiger" is often used in a figurative sense, to describe situations or individuals that may seem intimidating or formidable, but are ultimately not as strong or capable as they appear. It is a cautionary phrase, reminding people not to be deceived by appearances and to look beyond the surface to see the true nature of things.

    Origin of "Paper tiger"

    The origin of the idiom "paper tiger" can be traced back to Chinese philosophy, where the tiger is a symbol of strength and power. The term "paper tiger" is believed to have been popularized by Chinese leader Mao Zedong, who used it to describe the United States in the 1950s. He suggested that the US may seem powerful, but was actually weak and would not be able to withstand the strength of the Chinese people.

    The phrase was later adopted into the English language to describe anything that appears strong or threatening but is actually weak or ineffective. The term "paper tiger" has since become a common idiom used in English to caution against overestimating someone or something's strength or influence.