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proper channels

NOUN
red tape
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bureaucracy
WEAK
authority bureaucratic paperwork city hall government management official forms official procedures officialdom officialism paper shuffling powers that be regulatory commission the Establishment the system

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We are open to discussions. But they must take place through the proper channels and in respect of international law,” Nielsen said.

From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026

Another senior White House official said the “vast majority” of pardons have gone through the proper channels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

Overing, on the other hand, said that because the Beverly Hills substitute teacher’s online posts about the rally ignored the proper channels for disciplining students, she could have fallen afoul of district policy.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

Several officers knew of other incidents, the report said, but they did not report them through the proper channels, fearing that security officials would "overreact".

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2023

Afterward, I would protest through the proper channels, and sometimes get it.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela