n. phr. 繁文缛节;指复杂、拖慢事情进展的官方手续、规章或行政程序,常带有负面含义。
/ˌred ˈteɪp/
The project was delayed by red tape.
这个项目因为繁文缛节被耽误了。
Although the grant was approved, months of red tape kept the researchers from buying the equipment they needed.
尽管拨款已经获批,数月的繁琐手续仍使研究人员无法购买所需设备。
源自英国旧时政府文件常用红色带子捆扎的做法。后来 red tape 逐渐引申为令人觉得麻烦、低效的官方程序或官僚手续。