gum
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
beat (one's) gums
To talk repeatedly or lengthily but without impact. I constantly beat my gums about dirty dishes in the sink, and the kids still never clean up after themselves! We can beat our gums all we want about the need for environmental initiatives, but it's all meaningless until the government takes action. If my students continue to show up late—something I've beaten my gums about all semester—then I'm giving them an automatic detention.
black gum
A deciduous tree (Nyssa sylvatica) native to eastern North America, known for the shades of bright scarlet its leaves turn in the autumn; also known as sour gum, black tupelo, or simply tupelo. The leaves of the black gum are an amazing sight in autumn. I knew this tree was called a black gum, so you can imagine my surprise when its leaves turned orangey-red in the fall! Wait till the visiting leaf peepers get a peek at our black gum in all its majesty!
bump (one's) gums
slang Speaking foolishly or nonsensically. I don't even pay attention to him when he starts bumping his gums about petty nonsense like that. That congressman bumped his gums about overhauling the tax system for his entire tenure, yet did nothing. Now, the voters have spoken, and his inaction has cost him his seat. Billy's always bumping his gums—you can't believe a word that guy says!
flap (one's) gums
To chatter or blather. Quit flapping your gums—I need some quiet so I can think! Whenever Charlie starts to flap his gums, I can't get in a word! If you three have time to flap your gums around the water cooler, you have time to take on an extra project, right?
gum the works up
To interfere with the proper functioning of something. More regulations will just gum the works up. A: "Any idea what's wrong with my engine?" B: "Well, sediment can certainly gum the works up." The Internet is running awfully slow. I wonder if an influx of users has gummed the works up.
gum up
1. To apply a sticky substance to something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "gum" and "up." You need to gum up the paper more if you want it to stick securely. He gummed up the back of the decal to stop it from peeling off the back of the car. Hey, can you gum up this stamp so I can stick it on my envelope?
2. To interfere with the proper functioning of something. More regulations will just gum up the process. Sediment seems to have gummed up your engine. The Internet is running awfully slow. I wonder if an influx of users has gummed things up.
3. To ruin something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "gum" and "up." Boy, you really gummed up this report, and I don't have time to fix it right now. The threat of a hurricane really gummed up our vacation plans! Go slowly so you don't gum it up like last time!
gum up the works
To interfere with the proper functioning of something. More regulations will just gum up the works. A: "Any idea what's wrong with my engine?" B: "Well, sediment can certainly gum up the works." The Internet is running awfully slow. I wonder if an influx of users has gummed up the works.
gumshoe
slang A detective or investigator. Don't worry, we'll find the thief—I have a gumshoe on the case now. I bet that guy's a gumshoe, so don't tell him anything. A couple of gumshoes came snooping around the offices the other day, but I had hidden anything incriminating well before they arrived.
up a gum tree
In a challenging or troublesome situation. (Possums were known to flee predators by hiding in gum trees.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I have no savings, so if I get fired from my job, I'll be up a gum tree. Shouldn't we stop for gas? We'll be up a gum tree if the car dies on that desolate road ahead.
walk and chew gum (at the same time)
humorous To be able to do two or more things at once. Often used in the negative to convey ineptitude. I'm quite capable of watching the grill while I water the flowers—I can walk and chew gum at the same time thank you very much. He's a sweet kid, but the new intern can't walk and chew gum. He somehow managed to throw out the letters I told him to take to the mail office.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
beat one's gums
to waste time talking a great deal without results. (As if one were toothless.) I'm tired of beating my gums about this over and over. You're just beating your gums. No one is listening.
flap one's gums
and flap one's jawsRur. to talk aimlessly. They're still out on the porch, flapping their gums. Well, I can't sit here flapping my jaws all day. Gotta get back to work.
gum something up
and gum the works upFig. to make something inoperable; to ruin someone's plans. Please, Bill, be careful and don't gum up the works. Tom sure gummed up the whole plan.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
gum up
Ruin or bungle something, as in The front office has gummed up the sales campaign thoroughly. This idiom is also put as gum up the works, as in John's changes in procedures have gummed up the works in the shipping department. [Slang; c. 1900]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
flap your gums
AMERICAN, INFORMALIf someone flaps their gums, they talk a lot without saying anything important. Who wants to hear you flapping your gums first thing in the morning?
up a gum tree
BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf someone is up a gum tree, they are in a very difficult situation. If another member of staff leaves, we'll really be up a gum tree. Note: This expression may be based on the fact that opossums (= animals with thick fur and long tails) often hide in gum trees when they are being hunted.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
up a gum tree
in or into a predicament. informalThis phrase is now found mainly in British English, but the phrase is recorded in the early 19th century in the USA, where possum up a gum tree was the title of a song or dance.
1992 Economist If they should end up seeking a deal with the Unionists, offers of devolution will lead ministers straight up a gum tree.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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.
up a ˈgum tree
(British English, informal) in a very difficult or awkward situation: I’ve got bills to pay and the bank is refusing to lend me any more money. I’m really up a gum tree.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
gum up
v.
1. To cover with a sticky substance: Gum up the back of the paper so it will stick to the frame. Gum the poster up so it won't fall down.
2. To become inactive or inoperable because of interference with moving parts: The cash register gummed up while it was in the attic, and now we can't open it.
3. To cause complications or inefficiency in something: These new regulations have gummed our procedures up, and we can't get anything done on time. The extra layer of bureaucracy gummed up the department's ability to process claims quickly.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
beat one’s gums
tv. to waste time talking a great deal without results. I’m tired of beating my gums about this stuff.
gumshoe
(ˈgəmˈʃu) n. a policeman or a detective. (Underworld. Also a term of address. So named for wearing silent, gum-rubber soles.) Has that gumshoe been around asking questions again?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.