Timeline for What's the idiom for getting lost in a (malfunctioning) bureaucracy?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
6 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Sep 12, 2012 at 3:01 | comment | added | bib | +1 a common idiom is tied up in red tape. | |
| Sep 10, 2012 at 22:25 | comment | added | Roddy of the Frozen Peas | I've heard the verb "mired" used in this context as well, usually with the swamp metaphor. | |
| Sep 10, 2012 at 21:56 | comment | added | Zairja | @CookieMonster As a verb, you would say "caught up in red tape" or "covered in red tape". Also, I think "Brazil" is the epitome of "red tape" (great film btw). I would not put too much emphasis on the "precision" aspect, though. Looking at the Merriam-Webster definition gives better context: "official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction" (my emphasis). | |
| Sep 10, 2012 at 21:21 | comment | added | user9243 | Reading the red tape link, this evokes to me rather an overly precise and thus slow administration, but not a defunct administration. The red tape seems to stem from bundling a lot of documents that are needed for this precision. Reminds me of the Brazil film, especially the scene where somebody disappears in a little tornado of paper. Not sure whether this matches "versanden", since "versanden" does not imply extra precision. | |
| Sep 10, 2012 at 21:08 | comment | added | user9243 | Can this be used as a verb, like getting red taped? What is the meaning? | |
| Sep 10, 2012 at 21:01 | history | answered | Zairja | CC BY-SA 3.0 |