paper tigers

A form of paper tiger — Something or someone that appears powerful, strong or threatening but is in reality weak, ineffective, or unable to withstand challenge.

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Meanings

noun
  1. pluralplural of paper tiger
Cite this entry
APA

paper tigers. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paper%20tigers

MLA

“paper tigers.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paper%20tigers. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “paper tigers,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paper%20tigers.

Source: paper tigers on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.