on paper
Not in practice
On paper describes how something appears in theory, in writing, or according to official records—as opposed to how it actually works in practice.
On paper, the plan looked foolproof.
She's the most qualified candidate on paper.
The phrase often implies skepticism about whether reality will match expectations: The merger makes sense on paper, but the cultures are incompatible.
- nominallyIn name only
- idealizedMade to seem perfect
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- draftPreliminary version of text
hypothetical · ostensibly · manuscript · outline · rough draft · superficial · in theory · sounds good · notional · de jure · abstract · theoretical · written · proposal · officially · speculative · pie in the sky · planned
- stampsstamp, stamps, commemorative stamps, mint stamps, used stamps
- nominalnominal, titular, figurehead, in name only, token
on paperin practice
As things really happen
in reality · on the ground · in fact · actually · in truth
on paperin person
Bodily present somewhere
firsthand · hands-on · face-to-face · in the field · on the job
on paperverbally
By means of speech
orally · off the record · informally · unwritten · undocumented
paper, newspaper, papers, newspapers, paperback, papered, wallpaper, papering, papery