red tape
/ˌred ˈteɪp/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
official rules that make things slow
Examples
- 1Months of red tape delayed the opening of the new health centre.
- 2Small firms complain that red tape costs them more than taxes do.
- 3Leo gave up on the grant after three forms and endless red tape.
- 4Can we cut through the red tape and get the licence this month?
- 5The playground has stood empty since April because of red tape.
Grammar
Uncountable: no a and no plural. Usual patterns are cut through red tape and tied up in red tape.
Similar in meaning
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English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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