idiom
paper tiger
PAY-per TY-ger
ˈpeɪpər ˈtaɪɡərListen
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Syllable breakdown
papertiger
Dictionary meaning
something or someone that appears powerful or threatening but is in reality weak and ineffectual; an entity that projects strength it does not possess; popularized in modern usage by Mao Zedong's description of the United States, but the Chinese idiom predates him
People also look up
Break the ice
Brayk the ice
Hit the nail on the head
Hit the nayl on the hed
Under the weather
UN-der the WETH-er
Piece of cake
Peess of kayk
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