red tapenoun [ U ]
uk/ˌred ˈteɪp/us/ˌred ˈteɪp/disapprovingC2 official rules and processes that seem unnecessary and delay results:
We must cut through the red tape.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Rules & laws
- black codes
- bylaw
- canon
- code of practice
- common law
- cyberlaw
- dead letter
- diktat
- dos
- edict
- equal protection
- international law
- leash law
- licensing laws
- mandatory
- retroactive
- rule
- statute
- statutory
- the rule of law
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