clog up
When something gets completely blocked and stops working because too much stuff has built up inside it.
Meanings
To block a pipe, drain, or passage with an accumulation of material so that nothing can flow through.
"Grease from cooking had clogged up the kitchen drain completely."
To fill a road, system, or space to the point where it can no longer function effectively.
"The extra traffic from the festival completely clogged up the town centre."
To overwhelm or overload a system, inbox, or process so that it slows down or stops working.
"Spam emails were clogging up her inbox and making it impossible to find important messages."
Used both literally (pipes, drains, arteries) and figuratively (systems, processes, roads). The particle 'up' intensifies the sense of complete blockage. Very common in everyday British English.
Commonly used with
Forms
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