red tape

Meaning

'Red tape' refers to excessive bureaucracy, official rules, and administrative processes that are tedious, redundant, and cause delays. It carries a negative connotation, as it implies that the rules are unnecessary obstacles to getting things done. It is frequently used when discussing government regulations, corporate policies, or legal procedures.

Examples

• The startup struggled to expand internationally due to all the government red tape.

  The startup struggled to expand internationally due to all the government red tape.

• We need to cut through the red tape to get this project approved before next month.

  We need to cut through the red tape to get this project approved before next month.

• Opening a new bank account for a foreign business involves a lot of red tape.

  Opening a new bank account for a foreign business involves a lot of red tape.

• The new CEO promised to eliminate unnecessary red tape and streamline our internal workflows.

  The new CEO promised to eliminate unnecessary red tape and streamline our internal workflows.

• Despite the red tape, we managed to secure the business license in record time.

  Despite the red tape, we managed to secure the business license in record time.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ There are many red tapes in this department.

  ✓ There is a lot of red tape in this department.

  'Red tape' is an uncountable noun. It cannot be pluralized as 'red tapes' or counted with 'many'.

• ✗ He tied the project in red tape.

  ✓ The project was wrapped up in red tape.

  While 'red tape' acts as an obstacle, native speakers say a project is 'wrapped up in' or 'held up by' red tape, or that they need to 'cut through' it.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It took us six months to get a permit because of all the government ___.

  💡 Excessive bureaucracy and administrative delays.

  Show answer

  red tape

• If we want to innovate quickly, we must cut through the internal ___.

  💡 Tedious rules and official procedures.

  Show answer

  red tape