cut red tape
To reduce bureaucracy.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The new mayor promised to cut red tape for small businesses.”
“Starting a restaurant used to take months, but the city cut red tape and now it takes weeks.”
“Determined to attract foreign investment, the reformist government moved swiftly to cut red tape, slashing permit times from years to mere months.”
From cut, to remove, and red tape, referring to excessive bureaucratic procedures. The expression derives from the practice of binding official legal and government documents in red tape, which required cutting to access the contents.
- 01
bleed red ink
To suffer from severe net losses.
- 02
clap one's hands red
To clap or applaud intensely.
- 03
clear cut
Straightforward, obvious, simple, or basic.
- 04
cut a dash
To make a display of oneself; to give a conspicuous impression.
- 05
cut a deal
To reach a negotiated agreement.
- 06
cut a figure
To present an image; to make an impression.
- 07
cut a rug
To dance, especially in a vigorous manner and in one of the dance styles of the first half of the twentieth century.
- 08
cut a swath
Alternative form of cut a wide swath.
Last updated August 10, 2026