Definition of 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.
: the tissue that surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar parts of the jaws
: to enlarge gullets of (a saw)
: to chew with the gums
: any of numerous colloidal polysaccharide substances of plant origin that are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying and are salts of complex organic acids — compare mucilage 1
: any of various plant exudates (such as an oleoresin or gum resin)
: a substance or deposit resembling a plant gum (as in sticky or adhesive quality)
: to clog, impede, or damage with or as if with gum
: to exude or form gum
: to become gummy
: in or into a higher position or level
: from beneath the ground or water to the surface
: from below the horizon
: risen above the horizon
: standing
: being out of bed
used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of
: up into or in the
: in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of
: one in a high or advantageous position
: an upward slope
: a period or state of prosperity or success
: to rise from a lying or sitting position
: to move upward : ascend
used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated
: to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary
: to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations
: to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity
: activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:
: activity that a person engages in regularly to earn a livelihood
: a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity
: suitable or styled for wear while working
: used for work
: involving or engaged in work
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