cause setback

blank outwit thwart

baffle balk block bury checkmate circumvent confound contravene cook counterplot cross disappoint discomfit disconcert disprove foil invalidate neutralize nonplus nullify overturn puzzle quell reduce refute ruin scuttle shave shellac skunk spoil squash stump subdue subjugate surmount undo victimize

beat down beat the system cast down edge out nose out put end to take the wind out of (one's) sails throw for loop

abet aid allow approve assist clarify clear up endorse enlighten explain grow help open permit prove support surrender validate win yield

encourage give up inspirit lose