red tape

American  

noun

1. excessive formality and routine required before official action can be taken.

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red tape British  

noun

1. obstructive official routine or procedure; time-consuming bureaucracy

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red tape ¹ Cultural  

1. Bureaucratic procedures that delay progress: “Paula had hoped to settle the inheritance quickly but got caught up in a lot of red tape.”

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red tape ² Cultural  

1. Administrative procedures, especially in a bureaucracy, that are marked by complexity and delay: “Red tape delayed his passport.”

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red tape Idioms  

1. Official forms and procedures, especially those that are complex and time-consuming. For example, There's so much red tape involved in approving our remodeling that we're tempted to postpone it indefinitely. This expression alludes to the former British custom of tying up official documents with red ribbon. [Early 1800s]

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Other Word Forms

• redtapism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of red tape

First recorded in 1730–40; after the red tape used to tie official documents

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

red tape

Beyond the program, the Golden State is just more expensive than other U.S. locales, and some filmmakers have criticized the red tape that makes shooting in L.A. more difficult.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Germany's young defence firms face other hurdles, from lengthy security vetting for staff to red tape.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

Tax uncertainties, bureaucratic red tape, delays in land and environmental approvals are all long-documented challenges for foreign investors, including the Japanese.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

Mental illnesses affect tens of millions of people every year, and barriers like high costs, insurance red tape and limited provider availability can make accessing mental healthcare difficult.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

"It's amazing how much red tape gets cut when everyone's rooting for one man to survive."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• bureaucracy