red tape

noun

: official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction

bureaucratic red tape

… enterprisers that show how people across the Nation are coping (or not coping) with such problems as unemployment, the budget deficit and Government red tape.

—John Weisman

… pompous officials (often lowly clerks) in love with red tape who delight in obstructing the expedition of what should be simple procedures.

—Norman W. Schur

Initial plans became irretrievably mired in the red tape of building permissions.

—Bella Pollen

Their plan is simple enough and none too glamorous: create a Web site to help people cut through red tape; i.e., pay for parking tickets and so on.

—Sarah Kerr

Examples of red tape in a Sentence

You would not believe the red tape involved in getting the required permits.

Recent Examples on the Web

His mission is clear: cut the red tape that slows new power projects and keep homeowners from absorbing the cost through higher monthly bills. —Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

The core of this involves balancing bloated budgets, cutting red tape and reining in federal overreach. —Matt Kandrach, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2025

Mayor Karen Bass’ office has also pledged to make moves to reduce red tape for film and TV projects in L.A. amid multiple criticisms about the difficulties and expenses of planning shoots. —Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2025

That involves reducing red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, as well as fixing Indonesia’s reputation for opaqueness and, sometimes, corruption. —Lionel Lim, Fortune, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the red tape formerly used to bind legal documents in England

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for red tape

• agape
• escape
• landscape
• lenape
• reshape
• seascape
• soundscape
• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe
• drape

Kids Definition

red tape

noun

: rules and regulations that waste people's time