on paper

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.

“No pathways” is one of those ideas that looks good on paper but doesn’t work in practical terms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The run-in to the end of the season is - on paper - in Arsenal's favour, but anything can happen at this point of the campaign.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Founded on paper in 2015, it has gathered momentum lately, just in time for trouble to hit the desert wonder 1,100 miles to its west.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Orders used to be handwritten on paper tickets and hung for the cook to grab.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

When people reach out to me to lead, it is no longer a story on paper.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon