death by a thousand paper cuts en · NOUN
Etymology
Blend of death by a thousand cuts + paper cut. The "thousand cuts" of the original phrase are now inflicted by paper, a metonym for bureaucracy.
Meanings
- (idiomatic) An ultimate negative outcome, such as the failure of a project, brought about by an excessive number of bureaucratic hurdles.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| death by a thousand papercuts | alternative | lexicographic |