red tape

US /ˈrɛd ˌteɪp/
UK /ˈrɛd ˌteɪp/
"red tape" picture
1.

繁文缛节, 官僚作风, 官僚主义

excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities, especially in public business

:
We had to cut through a lot of red tape to get the project approved.
我们不得不克服许多繁文缛节才能使项目获得批准。
The new regulations are designed to reduce red tape for small businesses.
新规定旨在减少小企业的繁文缛节