Synonyms

on paper

Idioms

In theory, hypothetically, as in Considering casualties, on paper the Americans won the Vietnam War, or They are a good team on paper but not so in the field. This metaphoric expression contrasts something written down with concrete reality. [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Not as just supported on paper, but that it’s supported in substance, too.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Many investing theories look great on paper, where taxes, fees and other frictions don’t exist.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Simply creating an organisation on paper is utterly meaningless; the question is how we can turn it into a truly living, functioning body," he said.

From Barron's

He also wrote instructions on paper, “rap four times,” “rap seven.”

From Literature

Vast polygons mark forest concessions covering 11 million hectares in the DRC, some of which exist only on paper.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023