Regulation and compliance idioms.
| Idiom | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Red tape | Bureaucratic obstacles or delays. | Navigating the red tape of government regulations can be time-consuming and frustrating. |
| Jump through hoops | To complete a series of difficult or complicated tasks. | To obtain a business license, we had to jump through hoops, filling out numerous forms and providing various documents. |
| Toe the line | To follow rules or regulations strictly. | Businesses must toe the line when it comes to environmental regulations to avoid fines and penalties. |
| Be on the straight and narrow | To follow rules and regulations strictly. | Our company is committed to being on the straight and narrow, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws. |
| Keep your nose clean | To avoid getting into trouble or breaking the law. | To avoid legal issues, businesses must keep their nose clean and adhere to regulations. |
| Play by the rules | To follow the established rules or regulations. | Companies that play by the rules can build a positive reputation and avoid legal risks. |
| By the letter of the law | Strictly according to the rules or regulations. | Our company is always by the letter of the law, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. |
| A pain in the neck | A nuisance or annoyance. | Dealing with regulatory compliance can be a real pain in the neck, but it’s essential for avoiding legal issues. |
| A headache | A problem or annoyance. | Ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations is a headache for many businesses. |
| A nightmare | A very bad or unpleasant experience. | Navigating the complex web of environmental regulations can be a nightmare for businesses. |
| Flying under the radar | Avoiding detection or scrutiny. | Some businesses try to fly under the radar, hoping to avoid regulatory oversight. |
| Playing by your own rules | Ignoring or bending the rules. | Companies that play by their own rules can face serious legal consequences. |
| Bending the rules | Ignoring or violating rules. | Some businesses may be tempted to bend the rules to gain a competitive advantage, but this can lead to legal trouble. |
| A recipe for disaster | A situation that is likely to end badly. | Ignoring safety regulations is a recipe for disaster, potentially leading to accidents and injuries. |
| Tick all the boxes | To meet all the requirements or criteria. | To obtain a business license, we must tick all the boxes on the application form. |
| To tick boxes | To fulfill requirements superficially without real effort. | Some companies merely tick boxes to appear compliant with regulations but lack substance. |
| Pay lip service | To express support or agreement without sincere commitment. | Some companies pay lip service to environmental sustainability but fail to take meaningful action. |
| Go through the motions | To perform a task perfunctorily without real effort. | Some businesses go through the motions of compliance but fail to address underlying issues. |
| Keeping up appearances | Maintaining a positive public image. | Many companies focus on keeping up appearances, ensuring that they appear to be compliant with regulations. |
| Following the herd | Doing what everyone else is doing. | Some businesses follow the herd when it comes to regulatory compliance, rather than taking a proactive approach. |
| A paper tiger | A threat that appears serious but is actually weak or ineffective. | The company’s compliance program may seem impressive on paper, but it’s a paper tiger with little substance. |
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