paper tiger
US /ˈpeɪ.pər ˈtaɪ.ɡər/
UK /ˈpeɪ.pər ˈtaɪ.ɡər/
1.
纸老虎
a person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual
:
•
The dictator was exposed as a paper tiger when his army quickly collapsed.
当他的军队迅速崩溃时，这位独裁者被揭露为纸老虎。
•
Their threats turned out to be nothing more than a paper tiger.
他们的威胁不过是纸老虎。