Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

on-paper

phrase

/ˈɒn ˈpeɪpər/

Definition

In theory or in a written document, as opposed to reality or practice.

Examples

The project looks successful on-paper, but we need to consider the practical challenges as well.
His qualifications are impressive on-paper, yet many doubt his practical experience.
On-paper, this plan seems cost-effective, but the implementation costs could be higher than expected.

Meaning

The term ‘on-paper’ refers to something that exists in a theoretical form or looks good when considered in writing, but may not necessarily hold true in real-life situations.