death by a thousand paper cuts

== English == === Alternative forms === death by a thousand papercuts === 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. === Noun === death by a thousand paper cuts (idiomatic) An ultimate negative outcome, such as the failure of a project, brought about by an excessive number of bureaucratic hurdles. === See also === the straw that broke the camel's back