Definition of Red Tape

excessive adherence to rules and formalities, especially in a public processes

Examples of Red Tape in a sentence

There is a lot of red tape involved in the law enforcement system, and it can take months to actually hold a trial for a criminal because of formalities. 🔊

There was so much red tape surrounding the investigation that the inspector couldn’t get in to look at it until all of his papers were cleared. 🔊

Because there are so many things that have to be done before someone can be convicted of a crime, these loads of red tape can inhibit justice for months at a time. 🔊

Red tape is usually referring to processes and paperwork that are formally necessary but really only take up valuable time. 🔊

I was hoping that the criminal would be convicted of his murder months ago, but mounds of red tape in the form of an unneeded investigation has made things much slower. 🔊

PREV WORD NEXT WORD