can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
can't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag
Extremely weak, ineffectual, or incompetent. You want to fight me? You can'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.
can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
Be inept, as in Ask him to program the VCR? He can't punch his way out of a paper bag. This hyperbolic term for extreme ineptitude originally was an expression of contempt for a weak or cowardly boxer. [Slang; c. 1910]
See also: bag, of, out, paper, punch, way
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- can't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag
- can't punch (one's) way out of a wet paper bag
- couldn't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag
- he, she, etc. couldn't punch his, her, etc. way out of a paper bag
- couldn't fight your way out of a paper bag
- couldn't fight (one's) way out of a paper bag
- couldn't fight (one's) way out of a wet paper bag
- weak sister
- a case of the blind leading the blind
- case of the blind leading the blind