About paper tiger

"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.

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Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image by 《人民画报》 via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

paper tiger

ineffectual threat

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Not who you're looking for? Others named paper tiger: class of catamaran · 1975 film by Ken Annakin · 2026 film directed by James Gray · 2020 film directed by Paul Kowalski

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About paper tiger

members

here now

Everything about paper tiger →

Live room · 1 here

Be the first in the room — members see you arrive.

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Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image by 《人民画报》 via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Not who you're looking for? Others named paper tiger: class of catamaran · 1975 film by Ken Annakin · 2026 film directed by James Gray · 2020 film directed by Paul Kowalski