red tape

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.

Frustrated by the red tape holding up the rebuilding process, Pratt is running on a message that L.A. is broken and only he can fix it — somehow.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

A new generation of civil servants can overhaul websites, cut through red tape and improve agency collaboration.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

You can probably still do it, make no mistake, but it might take you a few minutes, and there’s a chance you’ll get caught in red tape.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

"This will allow us to deliver a 'food & drink' trade deal worth £5.1bn a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

"It's amazing how much red tape gets cut when everyone's rooting for one man to survive."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir