gum up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Big banks’ profit engines are humming along even as geopolitics keep threatening to gum up the works.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
However, the Federation of Small Businesses has expressed reservations about the plan, warning that unlimited settlements "would be difficult and further gum up tribunals".
From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025
“Making it easier and less costly for insurers to deny claims, or for patients to file potentially dubious claims, could further gum up an already overloaded system rather than smoothing out the process.”
From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025
He said plastic bags are problematic for material recovery facilities where they are known to gum up machinery.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2024
“Want to gum up all the clues?” he shouted at them.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
