noun
General Slang
red tape
RED TAYP · noun · informal
Excessive bureaucracy and procedure.
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Definitions
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Rigid rules and paperwork that slow things down.
“There's too much red tape to get a small purchase approved.”
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red tape In A Sentence
There's too much red tape to get a small purchase approved.
Origin & Usage
From red tape historically binding legal/official documents.
People Also Ask
What does 'red tape' mean?
It means excessive official rules, paperwork and procedure that make getting things done slow and frustrating.
How do you use it?
As an uncountable noun, e.g. 'We cut through the red tape and got approval in a day.'
Where does the term come from?
It comes from the red or pink tape historically used to bind official and legal documents.
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