gunk up
Clog with residue
To gunk up is to clog or foul with gunk—sticky, grimy residue that impedes function: The carburetor got gunked up with old fuel deposits.
The phrase suggests accumulation over time rather than sudden blockage.
Figuratively, bureaucracy or complications can gunk up a process: Red tape gunked up the approval.
- muck upSpoil through carelessness
- degunkRemove accumulated residue
- foul upSpoil by mishandling
- gum upObstruct or spoil something
- gum up the worksSabotage smooth operations
throw a wrench · mess up · corrode · sludge · seize · seize up · residue · goo · grease trap · slow down · smear · bottleneck · clog · complicate · jam · grime · impede · hinder