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.

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

Ms. Rodríguez mouths some of the right lines about the importance of oil and gas and mining and cutting red tape.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

The government said it hopes to speed up decision making by stripping away "outdated regulations and overlapping consultations" as part of cuts to red tape.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

In California, state legislators are debating how to protect residents and natural resources without creating so much red tape that developers go elsewhere, taking their jobs and taxable earnings with them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

“You will have to appear before a judge, pay a fee. The red tape is endless.”

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri