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- Dictionarypaper tiger/ˌpeɪpə ˈtʌɪɡə/
noun
- 1. a person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual.
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noun
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"Paper tiger" is a calque of the Chinese phrase zhǐlǎohǔ . The term refers to something or someone that claims or appears to be powerful or threatening but is actually ineffectual and unable to withstand challenge. The expression became well known internationally as a slogan used by Mao Zedong, former Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and paramount leader of China, against his political oppo... Wikipedia