Red Tape

/ red teɪp / terminology /

RE: ADMINISTRATION, BUREAUCRACY, GOVERNMENT, POLICY, REGULATION

Red tape refers to excessive rules, paperwork, or official procedures that make it harder and slower to get things done. The term is often used when talking about government bureaucracy, where processes can feel overly complicated or slow-moving.

For example, someone applying for public housing or a small business permit might have to fill out multiple forms, meet specific criteria, wait weeks for approval, and speak to different departments—only to start over if one step is missed. This makes people feel frustrated, even when the original goal (like safety or fairness) is reasonable.

The phrase comes from the red ribbons once used to bind official documents, and it now stands for any system that feels unnecessarily tangled in rules. While red tape can help ensure fairness and accountability, too much of it often gets in the way of quick decisions and practical solutions—making the ease of doing business, making policy and achieving growth more difficult.

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