gummed up
Made sticky mess
Gummed up describes something clogged, stuck, or not working properly because of a sticky residue or accumulated obstruction.
A mechanism gets gummed up when residue interferes with moving parts: The old typewriter keys were all gummed up.
Figuratively, processes become gummed up when obstacles slow or stop progress: Bureaucracy has gummed up the approval process.
- cloggedBlocked by buildup
- gunked upBlocked by sticky mess
- impededObstructed or slowed
- stuckUnable to move
- obstructedBlocked from proceeding
jammed · seized up · congested · backed up · blocked · messed up · mucked up · fouled up · stalled · snarled · dysfunctional · on the fritz · bottleneck · gluey · plugged · choked · tacky · resinous
gummed upwell-oiled
Smoothly efficient, friction-free
working · functioning · operational · firing on all cylinders · running
gummed upcleared
Found not guilty
unclogged · cleaned out · unblocked · flushed out · clear