gum up (something)
idiom
informal
: to prevent (something) from working or flowing properly
Don't use that paper with the copier; you'll gum it up.
The highway construction has really gummed up traffic.
The bearings are all gummed up with mud.
Examples of gum up (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond causing poor performance, old gasoline resins can gum up fuel lines and carburetors, wreaking havoc on your engine’s fuel delivery system.
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Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2024
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
Standing up a new aggression court could also gum up what little is left of East-West diplomacy on issues such as the Black Sea grain deal, as well as priority areas distinct from the war, including humanitarian access in Syria, assistance in Afghanistan, and peacekeeping in Africa.
—Brian Finucane, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2023
In April, the FTC voted 3-2 to ban the agreements, with commissioners in the majority pointing to research that shows such covenants suppress wages, stifle entrepreneurship and gum up labor markets.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gum up (something) 
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2024
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
Standing up a new aggression court could also gum up what little is left of East-West diplomacy on issues such as the Black Sea grain deal, as well as priority areas distinct from the war, including humanitarian access in Syria, assistance in Afghanistan, and peacekeeping in Africa.
—Brian Finucane, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2023
In April, the FTC voted 3-2 to ban the agreements, with commissioners in the majority pointing to research that shows such covenants suppress wages, stifle entrepreneurship and gum up labor markets.
—Julian Mark, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gum up (something)
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gum up (something).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Gum up (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gum%20up%20%28something%29. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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