What Does "Paper Tiger" Mean?
"Paper tiger" is an English idiom. It means "something that appears strong or threatening but is actually weak or ineffectual when challenged."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "paper tiger" used in a sentence:- The dictator was often seen as a paper tiger by neighbouring countries, but he maintained control through fear.
- The competitor boasted about their strength, but they turned out to be a paper tiger when it came to performance.
- The organization initially seemed formidable, but it proved to be a paper tiger in handling crises.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Paper Tiger" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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