Red Tape Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

red tape What does red tape mean?	excessive formalities in official transactions	There was much red tape when we went to the city to get a business license.
red tape What does red tape mean?	rules and regulations that seem unnecessary (often from the government)	There is a lot of red tape when you try to start up a new business.
red tape What does red tape mean?	excessive formalities in official business	Many businesses complain about the red tape that they must deal with in order to get anything done with the government.
red tape What does red tape mean?	rules and regulations that seem unnecessary (often from the government)	There is much red tape when you try to start up a new business.
red tape What does red tape mean?	excessive formalities in official business	Many businesses complain about the red tape that they must deal with in order to get anything done with the government.
red tape What does red tape mean?	excessive formalities in official transactions	There was much red tape when we went to the city to get a business license.
	Some Random Idioms
head honcho What does "head honcho" mean?	person in charge; top boss.	"John's the head honcho of the Coffee Shoppe on theWeb."

make one`s bed and lie in it What does "make one`s bed and lie in it" mean?	be responsible for what you have done and accept the results of your actions	"You quit your job and now you have no money. You made your bed and now you must lie in it."
ruffle feathers What does "ruffle feathers" mean?	to point feathers outward (used for a bird)	The bird ruffled its feathers as the cat approached the cage.
see the world through rose-colored glasses What does "see the world through rose-colored glasses" mean?	to see only the good things about something, to be too optimistic	The man sees the world through rose-colored glasses and thinks that everything is wonderful.
kick in the rear What does "kick in the rear" mean?	something that motivates or gets somebody to do something
prick up one's ears What does "prick up one's ears" mean?	to listen more closely (like an animal moving its ears to hear better)	I pricked up my ears and listened to what the speaker was saying.
a free hand What does "a free hand" mean?	much freedom to do something	We had a free hand to design the sports program for the university.

power behind the throne What does "power behind the throne" mean?	the person who controls the person who seems to be in charge of something	The general is the power behind the throne in the small country and he has much influence.
have an edge on/over (someone or something) What does "have an edge on/over (someone or something)" mean?	have an advantage over someone or something	Our team has an edge over the other teams to win the high school football championship.
trip the light fantastic What does "trip the light fantastic" mean?	to go dancing	"It`s Friday night so let`s go downtown and trip the light fantastic."
lend (someone) an ear What does "lend (someone) an ear" mean?	to listen to what someone is saying	I asked my friend to lend me an ear and listen to my problem.

American Idioms and Expressions

Red Tape Idiom