red tape

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red tape

official rules which do not seem necessary and make things happen very slowly. My passport application has been held up by red tape.

See also: red, tape

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? References in classic literature
Having disposed of this temperate refreshment, she arose from her stool, tied her papers into a formal packet with red tape, and taking them under her arm, marched out of the office. The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens, Charles View in context asked Laurie soberly, as Amy laid a bit of red tape, with sealing wax, a taper, and a standish before him. Little Women by Alcott, Louisa May View in context If I had waited for the governor to let her know in the usual course of red tape we should never have got anywhere. Uneasy Money by Wodehouse, Pelham Grenville View in context More results

References in classic literature

Having disposed of this temperate refreshment, she arose from her stool, tied her papers into a formal packet with red tape, and taking them under her arm, marched out of the office.

The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens, Charles View in context

asked Laurie soberly, as Amy laid a bit of red tape, with sealing wax, a taper, and a standish before him.

Little Women by Alcott, Louisa May View in context

If I had waited for the governor to let her know in the usual course of red tape we should never have got anywhere.

Uneasy Money by Wodehouse, Pelham Grenville View in context

More results

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