gum up the works
To interfere with the proper functioning of something. More regulations will just gum up the works.
gum up the works
If something gums up the works, it makes it difficult for a process or activity to happen. We hope to use the new electronic voting machines, but legal challenges could still gum up the works.
gum up the ˈworks
(informal) make progress or an activity impossible: The building was going well, but the delay in delivering more bricks has really gummed up the works.The works are the moving parts of an engine.