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Answer for the clue "Bureaucracy gradually reduced, switching parts around ", 8 letters:
red tape

Alternative clues for the word red tape

Word definitions for red tape in dictionaries

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Red tape is a derisive term for excessive bureaucratic regulation. Red tape or Red Tape may also refer to: "Red Tape" (song) , a song by French singer Amanda Lear "Red Tape," a song by American hardcore punk group Circle Jerks Red Tape (album) , an album ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"excessive bureaucratic rigmarole," 1736, in reference to the red tape formerly used in Great Britain (and the American colonies) for binding up legal and other official documents, mentioned from 1690s.

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Red \Red\, a. [Compar. Redder (-d?r); superl. Reddest .] [OE. red, reed, AS. re['a]d, re['o]d; akin to OS. r[=o]d, OFries. r[=a]d, D. rood, G. roht, rot, OHG. r[=o]t, Dan. & Sw. r["o]d, Icel. rau[eth]r, rj[=o eth]r, Goth. r['a]uds, W. rhudd, ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. needlessly time-consuming procedure [syn: bureaucratic procedure ]

Usage examples of red tape.

Plod are so busy working their paper or playing Twister with rolls of red tape that wankers like Mick have free rein to bash the vulnerable and frighten the horses.

He was deep inside himself I guessed that he was looking at the red tape and rule books that had allowed so many criminals to make their living from the suffering of others and get away with it.