red tape

red tape

Official, bureaucratic rules or methods that are typically overly strict, convoluted, or tedious. Our lawyer was able to cut through red tape and get us an answer from the courthouse. There's so much red tape involved in opening up a restaurant that we decided to ditch the plan altogether.
See also: red, tape
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

red tape

Fig. over-strict attention to the wording and details of rules and regulations, especially by government workers. (From the color of the tape used by government departments in England to tie up bundles of documents.) Because of red tape, Frank took weeks to get a visa. Red tape prevented Jack's wife from joining him abroad.
See also: red, tape
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

red tape

Official forms and procedures, especially those that are complex and time-consuming. For example, There's so much red tape involved in approving our remodeling that we're tempted to postpone it indefinitely . This expression alludes to the former British custom of tying up official documents with red ribbon. [Early 1800s]
See also: red, tape
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

red tape

COMMON Red tape is official rules and documents that seem unnecessary and cause delay. After dealing with all the red tape and finally getting approval for the building, our funding has been cut. Two lawyers have written a book to help people cut through the red tape when dealing with British nationality laws. Note: Lawyers and government officials used to tie documents together with red or pink tape.
See also: red, tape
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

red ˈtape

(disapproving) official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly: Do you know how much red tape you have to go through if you want to import a car?This phrase comes from the custom of tying up official documents with red ribbon or tape.
See also: red, tape
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • work through channels
  • long-winded
  • hold mouth the right way
  • see daylight
  • go on and on
  • be in the short strokes
  • a tangled web
  • tangled web
  • bang away at (someone or something)
  • light relief
References in periodicals archive
IT = f (Red Tape, risk-taking propensity, organizational capacity, control variables)--(1) (4)
Does the perception of red tape constrain IT innovativeness in organizations? unexpected results from a simultaneous equation model and implications
Leveraging expert advice is a key component to identifying and reducing red tape in Alberta.
Government launches industry panels to Cut Red Tape
The better way is to ensure that the government can act swiftly on complaints, with crooks caught and prosecuted, red tape cut, and processes streamlined to plug opportunities for graft.
EDITORIAL - Persistent red tape
The Red Tape Initiative's management board consists of Letwin, Baroness Rock and Lord Marland.
The Grenfell inquiry will be a stitch-up. Here's why
A range of issues that Care, Energy and Waste sector businesses face when dealing with regulation and its enforcement and implementation has been high-lighted by the Cutting Red Tape review, which have resulted in government and regulators agreeing to help ease these burdens.
UK government to cut red tape in Care, Energy and Waste sectors by GBP10 billion
It has not however, made an auspicious start, with Australian bureaucrats producing a "rule book," for public servants, designed to keep "red tape down," a book bound with - you guessed it - red tape.
SLASHING RED TAPE
Red tape perception is positively associated with internal communication.
The pervasiveness of red tape in public organizations
"Any coherent action taken on reducing unnecessary red tape has got to be good for business.
Bosses in war over red tape
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "In these tough times, businesses need to focus all their energies on creating jobs and growth, not being tied up in unnecessary red tape. I've listened to those concerns and we're determined to put common sense back into areas like health and safety, which will reduce costs and fear of burdensome inspections."
CABLE PLEDGES TO CUT BACK RED TAPE
LOCAL Euro MP Liz Lynne has welcomed a parliamentary debate on ways to scrap red tape for small business and help unlock billions of pounds of economic potential.
Promise to cut red tape for business
NORTH-EAST small firms say their growth ambitions are being blocked by excessive red tape.
Free us up for growth
Rules and red tape; a prism for public administration theory and research.
Rules and red tape; a prism for public administration theory and research
Rules and Red Tape: A Prism for Public Administration Theory and Research builds on Barry Bozeman's previous book BUREAUCRACY AND RED TAPE, which appeared in 2000, and provides college-level public administration readers with a fine survey with new chapters on red tape research.
Rules and Red Tape
Job protection for Territorial Army soldiers sent to war is set to be scrapped after David Cameron described it as "red tape".
TERRITORIAL BARMY; Hero reserves now face sack
A MOVE by the coalition Government to slash the red tape allegedly stunting economic growth is being praised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in North Wales.
Move to cut red tape pleases firms