gum up the works
idiom
informal
: to prevent something from working or flowing properly
Some dirt got inside the gears and gummed up the works.
The new regulations have really gummed up the works in the office.
Examples of gum up the works in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Theoretically, either could gum up the works — denying the president a governor slot — by holding onto those positions rather than resign, though that would not be the historical norm.
—
Neil Irwin, Axios, 18 July 2024
In one scheme recently exposed by the Federal Trade Commission, pharmaceutical companies improperly listed patents on a federal registry to gum up the works and delay generic competition, enabling them to continue charging sky-high prices for medicines people need.
—Dick Durbin and Lina M. Khan, STAT, 2 July 2024
Many of the mechanisms of Indian politics, including its protections for political dissent and independent judiciary, gum up the works of Modi’s ideological revolution.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 22 May 2024
His return and insistence on taking the reins of the family business will only gum up the works.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 29 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gum up the works 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Neil Irwin, Axios, 18 July 2024
In one scheme recently exposed by the Federal Trade Commission, pharmaceutical companies improperly listed patents on a federal registry to gum up the works and delay generic competition, enabling them to continue charging sky-high prices for medicines people need.
—Dick Durbin and Lina M. Khan, STAT, 2 July 2024
Many of the mechanisms of Indian politics, including its protections for political dissent and independent judiciary, gum up the works of Modi’s ideological revolution.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 22 May 2024
His return and insistence on taking the reins of the family business will only gum up the works.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 29 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gum up the works
Dictionary Entries Near gum up the works
Cite this Entry
“Gum up the works.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gum%20up%20the%20works. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share