paper tiger
US /ˈpeɪ.pər ˈtaɪ.ɡər/
UK /ˈpeɪ.pər ˈtaɪ.ɡər/
1.
a person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual
:
•
The dictator was exposed as a paper tiger when his army quickly collapsed.
•
Their threats turned out to be nothing more than a paper tiger.