redtape

noun
UK /ˌred ˈteɪp/
US /ˌred ˈteɪp/

Redtape means too many boring rules that make things slow and hard to do.

The new club took weeks to start because of all the redtape.

SYNONYMS

bureaucracypaperworkrulesformalitiesofficialdom

RELATED WORDS

formspermitsapprovalsregulationsdelays

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Strict official rules that must be followed before something can happen.

Getting a permit for the treehouse meant dealing with a lot of redtape.

3. Too much paperwork and waiting when dealing with offices or government.

The family's trip was delayed by redtape at the border.

4. Unnecessary steps that slow down a simple task.

There was so much redtape that the school fair almost didn't happen.