red tape
(derog 贬) excessive bureaucracy, esp in public business 繁文缛节; (尤指)官僚作风
procedures hedged about with red tape 繁琐拖拉的办事程序
It takes weeks to get through the red tape. 办完这些繁琐的手续得需要几个星期.
She feels shy about meeting Frank for the first time.
她对于第一次和弗兰克约会感到难为情。
but one day, after heavy shower, I happened to be walking in my garden when I noticed a huge number of snails taking a stroll on some of my prize plants.