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

County Supervisor Hilda Solis have tried to cut through jurisdictional red tape, many residents complain that they’ll ask one office for help, only to be directed to another.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Second is a portion that cuts red tape and delays for tenants who have housing vouchers.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026

The government will cut red tape for business creation and allow private investors, both Cuban and foreign, to acquire shares in state companies.

From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026

But red tape is now threatening the future of many bakers' culinary creations as some councils in England are reviewing their street trading policies, and questioning whether cake sheds should require a licence.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 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