| 释义 |
paper tiger
paper tigern. One that is seemingly dangerous and powerful but is in fact timid and weak.
[Translation of Chinese (Mandarin) zhǐlǎohǔ : zhǐ, paper + lǎohǔ, tiger.]paper tiger n a nation, institution, etc, that appears powerful but is in fact weak or insignificant [C20: translation of a Chinese phrase first applied to the US]pa′per ti′ger
n. a person, nation, etc., that has the appearance of power but is actually weak and ineffectual. [1945–50] Thesaurus| Noun | 1. | paper tiger - the nature of a person or organization that appears powerful but is actually powerless and ineffectual; "he reminded Mao that the paper tiger had nuclear teeth"impotence, impotency, powerlessness - the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble |
Translations
paper tiger
paper tigerA nation or organization that gives the impression that it is threatening or powerful when, in reality, is not. Many people see North Korea as nothing more than a paper tiger, despite its threats against other countries. The new management team tries to command respect through lots of blustery speeches, but all of us workers just see it as a paper tiger.See also: paper, tigera paper tiger If you describe a person, country, or organization as a paper tiger, you mean that although they seem to be powerful, they do not really have any power. Unless the assembly has the power to fire the mayor, it will prove to be nothing but a paper tiger. She had shown the country to be a paper tiger, incapable of defending its territories. Note: This is an old Chinese expression which Chairman Mao applied to the United States in the 1950s. See also: paper, tigera paper tiger an apparently dangerous but actually ineffectual person or thing. This expression became well known in the West from its use by Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist leader. In an interview in 1946 , he expressed the view that ‘all reactionaries are paper tigers’. 1998 Oldie We fear that the Rail Regulator and the Consultative Committee are paper tigers and a waste of time. See also: paper, tigera ˌpaper ˈtiger a person or thing that is less strong, powerful, dangerous, etc. than they/it appears: He claimed that the enemies of his party were paper tigers and not to be feared.This is a translation of a Chinese expression that became well known when it was used by Mao Zedong.See also: paper, tigerpaper tigerSomething that appears dangerous but is not. The phrase comes from a Chinese expression that means what it does in English—something or someone that is all bark but no bite. The phrase is often used in international diplomacy to describe a nation that makes threats but is unlikely to back them up with action.See also: paper, tigerpaper tiger
Words related to paper tigernoun the nature of a person or organization that appears powerful but is actually powerless and ineffectualRelated Words- impotence
- impotency
- powerlessness
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