gum up the works

: 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