gumming up the works
Impeding smooth operation
Gumming up the works means causing something to malfunction or slow down by introducing obstacles or complications.
The image is of sticky gum fouling machinery: Bureaucratic delays are gumming up the works.
Someone who gums up the works creates problems that prevent smooth operation.
- cloggingObstructing a passage
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
- breaking downStopping working properly
- sabotagingDeliberately undermining or destroying
sand in the gears · red tape · blocking · short-circuiting · snagging · seizing up · halting · mismanaging · bottlenecking · interfering · bureaucracy · monkey wrench · stalling · derailing · train wreck · overcomplicating · impeding · fumbling
gumming up the worksstreamlining
Making more aerodynamic or efficient
greasing the wheels · facilitating · expediting · lubricating · optimizing
gumming up the worksenabling
Making something feasible
assisting · pitching in · pulling one's weight · cooperating · collaborating
gummed, gumming, works, worked, working, worker, workers, workable, rework