Where did the phrase red tape come from?
The colorful term used to refer to the seemingly endless parade of paperwork that accompanies many official matters got its start back in old England. Thick legal documents were bound or tied with red cloth tape. So when someone spoke of cutting through the red tape, they meant it in a very literal sense.
What is the meaning of red tape idioms?
Red tape is an idiom referring to regulations or conformity to formal rules or standards which are claimed to be excessive, rigid or redundant, or to bureaucracy claimed to hinder or prevent action or decision-making. It is usually applied to governments, corporations, and other large organizations.
What’s the origin of idiom?
Idiom comes from the Greek idios, which means personal.
What is the origin of the idiom get a leg up?
When you get a leg up on your competition, you’re at least temporarily ahead of them in some significant way. The phrase comes from foot racing, where getting a leg up at the start of the race gives an edge.
What is the other name for red tape?
In this page you can discover 20 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for red-tape, like: bureaucratic paperwork, inflexible routine, bureaucracy, official procedures, city-hall, proper channels, wait, bureaucratic rules, inaction, bureaucratic procedure and officialism.
What does red tape mean in police?
Crime Scene Management
Red Crime Scene Tape. (Re-issue DB 16-012) Maintaining the inner crime scene area of a serious incident is essential to protecting and preserving evidence that requires documentation, processing and collection by CSI.
What is a red tape example?
Red-tape definition
Red tape is defined as a lot of official forms and procedures that are involved before something is accomplished. An example of red tape is when you have to fill out tons of annoying forms just to get a driver’s license. noun. 3. (idiomatic) Time-consuming regulations or bureaucratic procedures.
What does When Pigs Fly mean idiom?
that something will never happen
Definition of when pigs fly
—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.
What is the origin of blowing smoke?
The origin of this idiom came from the old magicians tricking style, when they release smoke to conceal the minor tricks they perform to proof their magic.
What is a synonym for conspicuous?
Some common synonyms of conspicuous are noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, and striking. While all these words mean “attracting notice or attention,” conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.
What does it mean when you have a leg up on someone?
to have an advantage over others
Definition of have a leg up
: to have an advantage over others The company has a leg up on the competition thanks to the recent publicity.
How do you use red tape in a sentence?
needlessly time-consuming procedure.
- Red tape encumbered all our attempts at action.
- Because of all red tape at immigration I missed my connecting flight.
- It takes weeks to get through the red tape.
- We must cut through the red tape.
- You have to go through endless red tape to get a residence permit.
What does red tape mean in Chicago?
Do not enter without permission from site supervisor
Red tape means, “Do not enter without permission from site supervisor” Barricade tape does not just come in yellow and red.
What does blue tape mean?
More recently the term “blue tape” has been used to describe rules imposed not by Government regulation, but by one business on another. The HSE report “Understanding the impact of business to business health and safety ‘rules’” (2019) explored the extent and impact of health and safety blue tape on UK businesses.
How do you use the idiom red tape?
Use the phrase red tape when you’re talking about something that takes much longer than it should and involves more procedures, forms, or rules than make sense. Applying for a passport or a driver’s licence is well known for the amount of red tape involved.
Why do we say from the horse’s mouth?
The phrase (straight) from the horse’s mouth refers to information and means from the person directly concerned or another authoritative source. This phrase is from horse racing, and alludes to the presumed ideal source for a racing tip.
What does get off your high horse mean?
idiom. to stop talking as if you were better or smarter than other people: It’s time you came down off your high horse and admitted you were wrong. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.
Why is it called smoke and mirrors?
I understand the expression comes from the world of magic shows. A magician depends upon smoke and mirrors to perform his tricks. The mirrors help create an illusion, and the smoke is frequently used to divert the attention of the audience.
What does it mean when a woman blows smoke in a man’s face?
‘Smoke’ is the key word, with its long association with deception in English and American slang. Stage magicians do it all with ‘smoke and mirrors’ – and at various times and places, to blow smoke, or blow smoke in someone’s face could mean to lie or to boast.
What is corn specious?
conspicuous. / (kənˈspɪkjʊəs) / adjective. clearly visible; obvious or showy. attracting attention because of a striking quality or featureconspicuous stupidity.
What does the root bene mean?
“well
bene- in American English
combining form. a combining form occurring in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “well” benediction.
What is a synonym for Head Start?
synonyms for having a head start
anticipate. foreshadow. predate. presage.
Can I give you a leg up?
Definition of give someone a leg up
1 : to hold one’s hands together so that someone can step into them while climbing up onto something I don’t think I can get on this horse without help. Can someone give me a leg up? 2 : to give someone an advantage over others These skills will give you a leg up in the job market.
What is a yellow tape?
Yellow tape, also known as crime scene tape or barrier tape, is a bright yellow tape made of durable and tear-proof plastic that may say POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS, CAUTION, or CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS.
What’s blue police tape mean?
What Does Blue Police Tape Mean? Blue police tape is used as an outer cordon on a crime area or an area that is under investigation. The blue tape is designed to be a clear indication to the general public not to cross the cordon as the area is a crime scene and currently under investigation.