请输入您要查询的英文单词:

 

单词 paper tiger
释义

paper tigern.

Brit. /ˌpeɪpə ˈtʌɪɡə/, U.S. /ˌpeɪpər ˈtaɪɡər/
Origin: Formed within English, by compounding; modelled on a Chinese lexical item. Etymons: paper n., tiger n.
Etymology: < paper n. + tiger n., after Chinese zhǐlǎohǔ ( < zhǐ paper + lǎohǔ tiger).
A person, country, etc., that appears powerful or threatening but is actually weak or ineffective.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of power > [noun] > people without power > person or country without real power
roi fainéant1811
paper tiger1836
figurehead1883
1836 J. F. Davis Chinese II. xv. 163 A blustering, harmless fellow they [sc. the Chinese] call ‘a paper tiger’.
1885 Philadelphia Inquirer 31 July 4/1 The Chinese call a harmless blusterer ‘a paper tiger’. So, when Richelieu Robinson was in Congress, the Chinese journals doubtless had frequent occasions to report that the tail of the British lion was being twisted by a paper tiger.
1952 ‘Han Suyin’ Many-splendoured Thing v. 313 America is only a paper tiger... That's what the Peking government says.
1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 25 We [sc. Sussex] were something of paper tigers when it came to the championship games.
1994 P. Baker Blood Posse xii. 140 He's nothing to worry about. All mouth..a paper tiger.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1836
随便看

 

英语词典包含1132095条英英释义在线翻译词条,基本涵盖了全部常用单词的英英翻译及用法,是英语学习的有利工具。

 

Copyright © 2004-2022 Newdu.com All Rights Reserved
更新时间:2025/2/24 6:10:35