4gum verb
gums; gummed; gumming Meaning:
gum up [phrasal verb]
gum (something) up or gum up (something) 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 [=clogged up] with mud. — often used in phrase gum up the works ▪ Some dirt got inside the gears and gummed up the works. ▪ The new regulations have really gummed up the works in the office.
▪ 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 [=clogged up] with mud. — often used in phrase gum up the works ▪ Some dirt got inside the gears and gummed up the works. ▪ The new regulations have really gummed up the works in the office.
— compare 2gum
