cut (through) (the) red tape

To circumvent bureaucratic obstacles (which are often referred to as "red tape") in order to accomplish something. Our lawyer was able to cut through the red tape and get us an answer from the courthouse. The governor promised to cut red tape in order to get things done more efficiently in the state. Because of his close connections with government officials, he was able to cut through the red tape relatively quickly.

get (someone or something) taped

To come to understand or know someone or something well and use that knowledge accordingly. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Oh, I got you taped the minute you walked in here scowling. You're going to sit right here, in the front of the classroom. I wish I could get the new kid taped, but he's just so weird! Oh, don't worry, I've got him taped—he's a typical brat.

have (one) taped

To understand or know someone or something well and use that knowledge accordingly. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I had you taped the minute you walked in here scowling. You're going to sit right here, in the front of the classroom. I wish I had the new kid taped, but he's just so weird! I had that guy taped the first time I met him. He is, in fact, a total jerk.

red tape

Official, bureaucratic rules or methods that are typically overly strict, convoluted, or tedious. Our lawyer was able to cut through red tape and get us an answer from the courthouse. There's so much red tape involved in opening up a restaurant that we decided to ditch the plan altogether.

See also: red, tape

sex tape

A video of two or more people, often celebrities, engaging in sexual acts, recorded privately and nonprofessionally, often but not always with the intention that it will only be seen by the parties involved. The term originated when such videos were recorded and distributed on videotape. These days, most sex tapes are released intentionally to boost some D-list celebrity's career.

tape off

To form a barrier to something or some area by surrounding or blocking it with (usually brightly colored) tape. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tape" and "off." City regulators have taped the building off ahead of its demolition. Make sure you tape off the crime scene so no one contaminates the evidence before the detectives arrive.

tape out

1. To mark or designate an area with as or as if with adhesive tape. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tape" and "out." I taped out their portion of the stage so they wouldn't keep stumbling into ours during rehearsals. Let's tape the space out in the living room to get a better sense of how the furniture will all fit inside.

2. To create or design the photomask of an integrated circuit board that is to be sent to a fabrication facility. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tape" and "out." The tech company has hinted that it is in the process of taping out their newest graphics chip. We've taped the chip out already. We're just waiting to get the first working prototype back from the factory.

3. To cover and conceal something with adhesive tape. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tape" and "out." The red LED light on the TV in my room was driving me crazy at night, so I finally got some black electrical tape and just taped it out. Someone taped out the words on the warning sign at the entrance of the beach.

tape up

1. To mend or repair something with adhesive tape. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tape" and "up." A: "Dad, Sarah ripped the cover off of my favorite book!" B: "Don't worry, we can just tape it up." I had to tape up the side of my tent to keep the rain out for the rest of the camping trip.

2. To wrap an injured part of someone's body with athletic or medical tape. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tape" and "up." The team's medic taped me up on the sidelines and sent me right back into the game. The athletic trainer spent nearly an hour taping up all the football players before they went out to practice.

taped up

1. Sealed shut with tape. You've got to make sure your package is totally taped up before you ship it in the mail. The envelope was taped up so no one would be able to open it unnoticed.

2. Mended or held together by tape. The saxophone I bought at the garage sale is in great condition, though its case is all worn and taped up. The book's pages are falling out and its spine is taped up, but I just can't bear to replace it.

3. Completely finalized or definitively resolved. We're hoping to have this deal taped up by the end of the week. The whole thing's taped up—there's nothing more I can do.

cut through red tape

Fig. to eliminate or neutralize something complicated, such as bureaucratic rules and procedures. I will try to cut through all the red tape for you so you get your visa on time. I am sure someone can help us cut through all this red tape.

red tape

Fig. over-strict attention to the wording and details of rules and regulations, especially by government workers. (From the color of the tape used by government departments in England to tie up bundles of documents.) Because of red tape, Frank took weeks to get a visa. Red tape prevented Jack's wife from joining him abroad.

See also: red, tape

red tape

Official forms and procedures, especially those that are complex and time-consuming. For example, There's so much red tape involved in approving our remodeling that we're tempted to postpone it indefinitely . This expression alludes to the former British custom of tying up official documents with red ribbon. [Early 1800s]

See also: red, tape

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

red tape

COMMON Red tape is official rules and documents that seem unnecessary and cause delay. After dealing with all the red tape and finally getting approval for the building, our funding has been cut. Two lawyers have written a book to help people cut through the red tape when dealing with British nationality laws. Note: Lawyers and government officials used to tie documents together with red or pink tape.

See also: red, tape

have got something taped

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If you have got something taped, you understand it and are in control of it. The one certainty of parenthood is that whenever you feel you've got it taped, something or someone will come along to throw you off balance! They rarely enter any competition until they have got it pretty much taped.

have (or get) someone or something taped

understand someone or something fully. British informal

Early examples of the phrase, dating from the early 20th century, do not make its development clear: the sense could derive either from the action of measuring someone with a tape measure or from that of tying someone or something up with tape (and thereby getting them under control).

2001 John Diamond C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too After a few false starts you've learned how to do sending the meal back, dropping the girlfriend, getting through the job interview, making the marriage proposal: you think you've got it taped.

See also: have, someone, something, tape

red ˈtape

(disapproving) official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly: Do you know how much red tape you have to go through if you want to import a car?This phrase comes from the custom of tying up official documents with red ribbon or tape.

See also: red, tape

have somebody/something ˈtaped

(British English, informal) understand somebody/something completely and have learned how to deal with them/it successfully: He can’t fool me — I’ve got him taped.

See also: have, somebody, something, tape

tape off

To restrict or reserve some location or area by encircling it with tape: The police taped off the crime scene. We taped the bench off so that no one would sit on the wet paint.

taped

(tept)

mod. finalized; sealed (up); cinched. (As if one were taping a package.) I’ll have this deal taped by Thursday. Then we can take it easy.