What is the meaning of idiom red tape?
Sarah Garza
Updated on April 16, 2026
Definition of red tape
: 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.—What is red tape an example of?
Red tape is a derisive term for excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making. It is usually applied to government, but can also be applied to other organisations like corporations.How do you use the idiom red tape?
Example Sentences
- She could have finished the project last week, but it was impossible to cut through all the red tape.
- The red tape we had to get through to push the department changes forward was unbelievable.
- The clerks in the back office absolutely thrive on red tape.
What is a word for red tape?
In this page you can discover 20 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for red-tape, like: bureaucratic paperwork, inflexible routine, bureaucracy, official procedures, city-hall, proper channels, wait, bureaucratic rules, inaction, bureaucratic procedure and holdup.Why is red tape called red tape?
Most people complain about the red tape they deal with when they're registering a car or buying a house, working with an impersonal business or government branch. The term comes from the actual red tape that was used to bind documents in colonial America and in Great Britain.English Idioms - Red Tape
What is green tape?
green tape (uncountable) (derogatory) Time-consuming bureaucratic procedures or regulations relating to environmental concerns.Which of the following is the best solution to red tape?
Asking permission through many layers of decision-making, slows the process, and potentially misses an opportunity to turn around a negative customer experience. Empower employees so you can eliminate the unnecessary red tape of asking permission!What is blue tape mean?
More recently the term “blue tape” has been used to describe rules imposed not by Government regulation, but by one business on another. The HSE report “Understanding the impact of business to business health and safety 'rules'” (2019) explored the extent and impact of health and safety blue tape on UK businesses.What does orange tape mean?
Traffic Control Tape: Usually in bright solid orange or orange-white combination, used for controlling of traffic (foot and or vehicle traffic).What does yellow tape mean?
The APWA (American Public Works Association) Uniform Color Code is widely used throughout the utility industry and designates yellow for gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous materials.What does black tape mean?
black bandsThe British Medical Journal's term for the “black tape” placed across the eyes in photographs of a patient with a particular finding of medical interest so as to conceal their identity.
Why is red tape Good?
Pros and Cons of Red TapeJennifer said there is good and bad red tape. Bad red tape is when there is too much bureaucratic process that bogs things down, while good red tape offers checks and balances, as well as a second set of eyes to make sure everything has been done properly.
Is red tape one word or two?
Red tape is an idiom referring to regulations or conformity to formal rules or standards which are claimed to be excessive, rigid or redundant, or to bureaucracy claimed to hinder or prevent action or decision-making.What is red tape in regards to government?
Definition of red tape: 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.—
What is another word for paperwork?
In this page you can discover 5 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for paperwork, like: paper work, documentation, hassle, timesheets and invoice.What color is painters tape?
Standing out with its bold blue or green color, painter's tape is valued by do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike for its ability to create crisp, clean paint lines — without the chance of paint bleeding past the edges.Which paint tape is best?
Best Overall Painter's Tape: Frogtape Delicate Surface Painter's Tape. Best Value Painter's Tape: Painter's Mate Green Painter's Tape. Best Multi-Surface Painter's Tape: Frogtape Multi-Surface Painter's Tape. Most Popular Painter's Tape on Amazon: Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape.What is green masking tape used for?
Green Painter's Tape for Extra ProtectionWhen the project requires a strong seal, choose green painter's tape, especially when applying lacquer or solvents. This product also works best for wall striping and other designs that require sharp lines.