Paper tiger

"Paper tiger" is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhilaohu (simplified Chinese: 纸老虎; traditional Chinese: 紙老虎). 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, Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and leader of the People's Republic of China, against his political opponents, particularly the U.S. government.

Paper tiger

"Paper tiger" is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhilaohu (simplified Chinese: 纸老虎; traditional Chinese: 紙老虎). 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, Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and leader of the People's Republic of China, against his political opponents, particularly the U.S. government.