gum up

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verb (tr, adverb)

to cover, dab, or stiffen with gum

informal to make a mess of; bungle (often in the phrase gum up the works)

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby gum up

gumshoe, gumsucker, gum thus, gum tragacanth, gum tree, gum up, gumweed, gumwood, gun, guna, gunboat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use gum up in a sentence

Republicans throw up procedural obstacles just to gum up the works and run out the clock.
John McCain to the Rescue as Senate Deal Breaks Nominee Logjam|Eleanor Clift|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All of those can gum up the narrative he has crafted so carefully.
Michael Tomasky on Mitt Romney’s Naïve Evasion Strategy|Michael Tomasky|August 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But if it ever came down to it I should be able to knock down an airplane, gum up the works on a fusing detonator, maybe even—.
Cue for Quiet|Thomas L. Sherred
That was why I objected to it in the first place: 'fraid somebody would lose it and gum up things.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High|Leslie W. Quirk

Explosions and accidents of many kinds are possible with the lamp that is allowed to clog and gum up.
Practical Carriage and Wagon Painting|Mayton Clarence Hillick
Always wipe the stone dry after using, as the oil will dry and gum up the grinding surface if not kept clean.
Toy Craft|Leon H. Baxter
After the etching has dried remove the same with water, and gum up again.
Practical Lithography|Alfred Seymour

Other Idioms and Phrases with gum up

gum up

Ruin or bungle something, as in The front office has gummed up the sales campaign thoroughly. This idiom is also put as gum up the works, as in John's changes in procedures have gummed up the works in the shipping department. [Slang; c. 1900]

gum up

Words nearby gum up

Words related to gum up

How to use gum up in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with gum up