red tape

1. N-UNCOUNT You refer to official rules and procedures as red tape when they seem unnecessary and cause delay. (官方的) 繁文縟節(jié)[表不滿]

The little money that was available was tied up in bureaucratic red tape. 可支配的那點(diǎn)點(diǎn)錢都花在官僚主義的繁文縟節(jié)上了。