An extremely interesting section of the science of language is one that studies stable combinations of words similar in meaning to a single token. They are called phraseological units. There are several types of such formations. So, phraseological splices are those combinations of words when the meaning of a holistic concept is not motivated by their meaning, as, for example, in the expression "to kill a worm."
“To put sticks in wheels”: the meaning of phraseology
Each of the tokens included in the phrase can save a figurative meaning, which creates the general meaning of the expression. In this case, we see the phraseological unity in front of us. An example is the combination in question.
The meaning of the phraseology “stick in the wheel” is frowned upon. So they say when they want to emphasize that someone deliberately interferes in some business, in the implementation of the plan.
In the modern sense, most often we are talking about obstacles raised by officials, bureaucrats to creative people, thinkers, innovators in their fresh ideas, work or discoveries.
The history of the origin of the phrase “insert sticks into the wheels”
There is no consensus on the origin of this combination. The meaning of phraseology “stick in the wheel” can go back to the direct meaning of such an action.
So, this point of view is expressed, as if this revolution arose from the custom to use special sticks, if necessary, to slow down / stop the progress of the cart, wagon or some other means of transportation. Thus, there was a steady combination of "insert a stick into the wheels", the origin of which was due to physical action.
Synonyms of phraseology "stick in wheels"
It is known that many words and expressions in the Russian language have similar “doubles” in meaning. The combination in question is no exception. The meaning of phraseologism “to put sticks in wheels” implies not only “obstruct”, “do not give”, “interfere”, “counteract”, “pluck”, but also such expressions as “be a bone in the throat”, “become (stand) across the road (someone on the way) ”, “ throw logs under your feet ”, “ turn out (to be) an obstacle (obstacle) ”, “ fix obstacles ”, “ confuse cards ”, “ cross the road ”, “ tie up and down hands."
By and large, for the expression "put the wheel in the wheel" is a synonym - any word or combination with the meaning "interfere", "create a problem."
It is interesting that this seemingly purely Russian phrase has its analogues with the same meaning in other European languages. The translation from French sounds exactly like in Russian, from English - “insert a spoke into the wheel of someone”, from Spanish - “put the footboard”, from German - “throw sticks at someone’s feet”. As we can see, many peoples use stable expressions of a similar meaning.
