# cut red tape

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cut-red-tape
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To reduce bureaucracy.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.