General
red tape
What does red tape mean?
Rigid rules and paperwork that slow things down.
"There's too much red tape to get a small purchase approved."
Origin
From red tape historically binding legal/official documents.
Frequently asked questions
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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