paper tiger
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The days of the FCC as a paper tiger are numbered,” Gomez said in a statement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
The escalation was designed to show the world that Iran was a "paper tiger", said Fawaz Gerges, professor of International Relations at London School of Economics.
From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2024
We have 11 months to find out if this paper tiger can become a real one.
From Salon ● Dec. 30, 2023
Additionally, the judge wondered why the district attorney sent the notice to multiple local law enforcement officials “if, as he now claims, his notice is merely a paper tiger and nothing more.”
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 1, 2023
"Truly, the all-powerful Yin would risk his flowery existence, laughing at this paper tiger, who is mad enough to demand an audience with the Son of Heaven," replied one of the mandarins.
From The War Tiger Or, Adventures and Wonderful Fortunes of the Young Sea Chief and His Lad Chow: A Tale of the Conquest of China by Dalton, William
