toothless law

An official law or rule that cannot actually be enforced in a meaningful way. The county recently passed a controversial smoking ban, but it's a toothless law, as they have not included any fines or punishments for those who violate it. The international mandate on recycling has long been a toothless law, relying on the honest efforts of its participants with little in the way of restrictions or disincentives.

toothless wonder

1. A person who is missing one or more teeth. A: "Look, Dad, my tooth fell out!" B: "Oh wow, you're a toothless wonder!" These? No, these are dentures. I've been a toothless wonder for nearly 20 years!

2. A person, organization, role, etc., that is utterly powerless or lacks the ability to enforce things. They formed an oversight committee, but it's just another toothless wonder that can't actually pass or affect legislation. I came to accept that the post they gave me was a toothless wonder, one to keep me out of the way while they went about their business.