on paper

English

Prepositional phrase

on paper

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on,‎ paper.
2. (figuratively) Based on debatable inference; in theory.
   • August 25, 1814, Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Coles:

     From those of the former generation who were in the fulness of age when I came into public life, which was while our controversy with England was on paper only, I soon saw that nothing was to be hoped.

   • 06 June, 2002, Graham Snowdon, The Telegraph:

     Hutchinson, the current champion at 50 miles, is on paper the fastest rider in the field for Sunday's event

   • 2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1):

     Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Hey, just throwing out a random hypothetical to you. Let's say there's a new kid in school, and on paper he should be killing it, but for some reason the other kids don't like him? Why do you think that would be?

Translations

in theory

• Catalan: sobre paper
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• French: sur le papier (fr)

Anagrams

• propane