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On Paper for Dummies

adverb


What does On Paper really mean?

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On Paper is a common phrase that we use to describe a situation or an idea that looks really good or perfect when we first think about it, but doesn't always turn out that way in reality. It's like when you draw a picture on a piece of paper and it looks amazing, but then you try to make it come to life and it doesn't look quite as good as you thought it would.

So, imagine you have an assignment in school. You have to come up with a plan for a science project. You brainstorm and write down all these cool ideas and steps that you think will make the project really interesting. When you show it to your teacher, they say, "Wow! This looks great on paper!" What they mean is that your plan sounds really good when it's all written down and you explain it, but they're not sure if it will actually work that way in reality. It's like they're saying, "It looks amazing on paper, but let's see if it turns out as well in practice."

In a more general sense, "on paper" means that something sounds like a great idea or looks perfectly logical when you think about it in theory or on a written plan, but it might not be as good or work out that way once you actually put it into action. It's like a blueprint or a map that outlines the steps you need to take, but it doesn't guarantee success or perfection.

To give you another example, let's say you're planning a surprise party for your friend. You come up with this elaborate plan on paper where everyone hides and jumps out to shout "Surprise!" when your friend enters the room. In theory, it sounds like a lot of fun and your friend would be so surprised and happy. But what if your friend is really shy and doesn't like surprises? The plan might not work out as well in reality as it did on paper.

So, when someone says that something looks great or works perfectly "on paper," it's a way of saying that it seems like a fantastic idea or plan, but there's a possibility that things might not turn out exactly as expected or planned. It's a reminder to keep in mind that reality can sometimes be different from what we imagine or put down on paper.

Revised and Fact checked by William Taylor on 2023-10-29 13:37:19

On Paper In a sentece

Learn how to use On Paper inside a sentece

  • On paper, this recipe looks easy to follow.
  • On paper, the plan for our school trip seems fun and exciting.
  • On paper, the math problem appears difficult, but once you understand the steps, it becomes easier.
  • On paper, the movie plot seems predictable, but the twists and turns make it enjoyable to watch.
  • On paper, the project timeline may seem overwhelming, but if we break it down into smaller tasks, it becomes manageable.

On Paper Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.