mou5 ngaa4 lou5 fu2冇牙老虎

Jyutpingmou5 ngaa4 lou5 fu2

Yalemóuh ngàh lóuh fú

名詞

Definition

Paper tiger; a person or group that appears powerful but is actually harmless or has no real power.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe someone who projects an image of strength or authority but lacks the actual capacity to enforce it. It is frequently applied to bureaucratic organizations or individuals who make loud threats but fail to follow through with any meaningful action. The imagery is vivid and commonly understood in both social and political contexts.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時hou3好wu3惡，dim2點zi1知jyun4原loi4來hai6係zek3隻mou5冇ngaa4牙lou5老fu2虎。

He acts tough all the time, but who knew he was actually a paper tiger.

ni1呢go3個bou6部mun4門mou5冇sat6實kyun4權，gan1根bun2本hai6係zek3隻mou5冇ngaa4牙lou5老fu2虎。

This department has no real power; it is basically a toothless tiger.

Common phrases

bin3變faan1返mou5冇ngaa4牙lou5老fu2虎

to turn back into a toothless tiger

gan1根bun2本hai6係zek3隻mou5冇ngaa4牙lou5老fu2虎

is fundamentally just a toothless tiger

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being weak or cowardly. The term specifically implies a contrast between a threatening appearance and a lack of actual power, rather than just a lack of courage.