mere scrap of paper; ineffective document
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
a mere scrap of paper; worthless piece of writing; ineffective document
formalAn idiom describing laws, agreements, or promises that exist on paper but lack practical enforcement or effectiveness. Often carries a critical tone regarding formalistic approaches.
Rú如
guǒ果
fǎ法
lǜ律
dé得
bù不
dào到
zhí执
xíng行
，
jiù就
zhǐ只
shì是
yī一
zhǐ纸
kōng空
wén文
。
If laws are not enforced, they are nothing but scraps of paper.
Hé合
tóng同
qiān签
de得
zài再
hǎo好
，
bù不
lǚ履
xíng行
yě也
shì是
yī一
zhǐ纸
kōng空
wén文
。
No matter how well the contract is signed, it is worthless if not performed.
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Tā他
de的
chéng承
nuò诺
bù不
guò过
shì是
yī一
zhǐ纸
kōng空
wén文
，
gēn根
běn本
kào靠
bù不
zhù住
。
His promises are nothing but empty words, completely unreliable.