couldn't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag

couldn't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag

Is extremely weak, ineffectual, or incompetent. You want to fight me? You couldn't punch your way out of a paper bag! Don't assign that project to her, she couldn't punch her way out of a paper bag!

See also: bag, of, out, paper, punch, way

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

he, she, etc. couldn’t ˌpunch his, her, etc. way out of a paper ˈbag

(informal, humorous) a person is so weak, shy, etc. that they would never dare react forcefully to something: You don’t need to worry about what Jim would do; he couldn’t punch his way out of a paper bag.

See also: bag, of, out, paper, punch, way

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