Red tape

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Feifei Hello Rob. You look so busy, what are all these papers?

Rob
Oh, Feifei, I have to get a permit to build an extension to my house. It’s a very small bit of building work but I have to fill in all these forms.

Feifei What is this one for?

Rob
Well, this one here is for my local council. I need to apply for planning permission. And then they want lots of supporting documents to make sure it fits in with building regulations.

Feifei
It sounds exhausting.

Rob It is. I hate red tape. If I could cut through this red tape it would be brilliant!

Feifei So your problem is red tape? Say no more, Rob! The solution is in my bag! Ah, here they are!

Rob A pair of scissors and blue tape?

Feifei Yes. You use the scissors to cut through your red tape and… if you don’t like red tape, use blue. I love the colour blue!

Rob Thank you, Feifei. You’re a good friend. But in English we call the rules and processes required to get official permits - which usually seem to be pointless - ‘red tape’.

Feifei Ah, bureaucracy! So let’s hear some examples of how this expression is used.

Examples Small firms won’t be subject to new regulations under a government plan to cut red tape and boost the economy.

Andrea almost gave up studying abroad. The amount of red tape to get a visa was unbelievable!

Feifei I think most people hate bureaucracy, Rob.

Rob I’m not surprised. Some people say this expression might come from the 16th century, when bundles of documents were held together with red tape. I hate all these forms!

Feifei Well, it’s the 21st century now and we still have red tape. Good luck with your red tape, Rob. I’m off to paint the town red!

Rob Oh, no more idioms with red for me today please.

Both
Bye.