on paper
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Of a convicted criminal: on parole.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
This means you can vote even if you are in jail or prison, or “on paper” (on probation, parole or extended supervision) for a misdemeanor.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “on paper” mean?
Of a convicted criminal: on parole.
Is “on paper” formal or informal?
on paper is generally slang.