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
in the money What does "in the money" mean?	wealthy, the winning position in a race	Now that my cousin is working, he is finally in the money.

smell a rat What does "smell a rat" mean?	to be suspicious of someone or something, to feel that something is wrong	I smell a rat. There is something wrong with the free credit card offer.
bargain on (something) What does "bargain on (something)" mean?	to plan or expect something	We did not bargain on having heavy rain during our summer birthday party.
turn the tide What does "turn the tide" mean?	to change what looks like defeat into victory	At the beginning of the game we were losing badly but we turned the tide and won the game.
gray matter What does "gray matter" mean?	brains, intelligence	I wish that my friend would use his gray matter more effectively when he is making his crazy plans.
Off the scale What does "Off the scale" mean?	If something goes off the scale, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.
in pen What does "in pen" mean?	written or signed with a pen	The teacher asked the students to make sure that they wrote the essay in pen.
drat What does "drat" mean?	darn (used in place of damn to express anger or frustration)

in on (something/a secret) What does "in on (something/a secret)" mean?	told about something, having knowledge of something	I was finally in on the secret about why the supervisor left our company.
Heads-up What does "Heads-up" mean?	A heads-up is advanced information or a warning
speak for itself/themselves What does "speak for itself/themselves" mean?	to not need explaining	The actions of the men speak for themselves and there is no point talking about it.
Bedroom eyes What does "Bedroom eyes" mean?	Someone with bedroom eyes has a sexy look in their eyes.
move to (do something) What does "move to (do something)" mean?	to propose to do something (usually at a meeting)	I moved to have another meeting next week when we can discuss the problem.
pay the piper What does "pay the piper" mean?	to face the results of one's actions	The city government was forced to pay the piper after many years of bad management.

American Idioms and Expressions

Red Tape Idiom