Sticks in the wheels of the revolution

Posted by ESC on February 15, 2008 at 17:12:

In Reply to: Sticks in the wheels of the revolution posted by Abe Bird on February 15, 2008 at 09:43:

: Is there some English phrase similar to "He put sticks in the wheels of the revolution"? which mean he disturb something in progress.

TO PUT A SPOKE IN ONE'S WHEEL -- "When you are not in accord with another person's plans or projects, you 'put a spoke in his wheel' by taking some action that will interfere with or impede his progress. The expression goes back to the sixteenth century and alluded to the use, by carters, of an extra spoke or bar which could be thrust between the spokes or wheel so that that wheel would drag and serve as a brake in descending a hill." From 2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions from White Elephants to Song and Dance by Charles Earle Funk (Galahad Book, New York, 1993).