on paper

idiomPart ofpaper

on paper — idiom

1. judged by what is written or by the official figures alone, rather than by real

1.idiom
Definition

judged by what is written or by the official figures alone, rather than by real performance.

Example

On paper, our team should win, but the rival players are in better form.

On paper, the budget balances, yet the city is short of cash every month.