put a spoke in smb.'s wheel

(или in the wheel of smb. или smth.)

   вcтaвлять пaлки в кoлёca кoму-л.; пpeпятcтвoвaть чeму-л. It is well known that to praise someone whose rivalry you do not dread is often a very good way of putting a spoke in the wheel of someone whose rivalry you do (W. S. Maugham). He ought perhaps to have put a spoke in the wheel of their marriage; they were too young (J. Galsworthy)