Meaning
Intentionally creating obstacles for a process.
Cultural Background
Historically, Turkish administrative culture has been seen as rigid. 'Yokuşa sürmek' is the quintessential phrase used by citizens to describe the frustration of dealing with 'the system'. In Turkish markets, bargaining is an art. If a buyer or seller is being too stubborn or unreasonable, the other might accuse them of 'yokuşa sürmek' to break the deadlock. Turkish culture prides itself on 'misafirperverlik' (hospitality). Being unhelpful or 'yokuşa sürmek' is often seen as a violation of the social contract of being a 'good person'. Younger Turks use this phrase for 'Dark Patterns' in apps—like when a subscription is easy to start but 'yokuşa sürüyor' (makes it hard) to cancel.
Use 'İşi'
Adding 'işi' (the job) before the phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker: 'İşi yokuşa sürme.'
Don't be too aggressive
Telling someone 'İşi yokuşa sürüyorsun' can be seen as a direct confrontation. Use it carefully in professional settings.
Meaning
Intentionally creating obstacles for a process.
Use 'İşi'
Adding 'işi' (the job) before the phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker: 'İşi yokuşa sürme.'
Don't be too aggressive
Telling someone 'İşi yokuşa sürüyorsun' can be seen as a direct confrontation. Use it carefully in professional settings.
The Passive Voice
Use the passive 'yokuşa sürülmek' when you want to complain about a situation without blaming a specific person: 'İşler yokuşa sürülüyor.'
The 'Inat' Connection
This phrase is often paired with 'inat' (stubbornness). You can say 'İnadından dolayı işi yokuşa sürüyor.'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Bütün belgelerim hazır olmasına rağmen memur hala işi ______ ______.
The context implies the officer is making things difficult despite everything being ready.
Which situation best describes 'yokuşa sürmek'?
A person is...
This is a classic example of intentional, artificial obstruction.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Sözleşmeyi hala imzalamadılar mı?' Mehmet: 'Hayır, sürekli yeni şartlar öne sürüp ______ ______.'
Adding new conditions to a contract is a way of making the process difficult.
Match the phrase to the intent.
When someone says 'İşi yokuşa sürme', they want you to:
The phrase is a request for cooperation and the removal of artificial barriers.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Obstruction vs. Facilitation
Practice Bank
4 exercisesBütün belgelerim hazır olmasına rağmen memur hala işi ______ ______.
The context implies the officer is making things difficult despite everything being ready.
A person is...
This is a classic example of intentional, artificial obstruction.
Ayşe: 'Sözleşmeyi hala imzalamadılar mı?' Mehmet: 'Hayır, sürekli yeni şartlar öne sürüp ______ ______.'
Adding new conditions to a contract is a way of making the process difficult.
When someone says 'İşi yokuşa sürme', they want you to:
The phrase is a request for cooperation and the removal of artificial barriers.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsLiterally, yes, but it sounds very old-fashioned. Today, 99% of the time it is used figuratively.
It's not 'bad language', but it is accusatory. It's like saying 'You are being difficult on purpose.'
There isn't a single idiom, but 'işi kolaylaştırmak' (making the job easy) is the most common antonym.
No, because a computer doesn't have 'intent'. Use it only for people or organizations.
Yes, 'yokuşa' is a fixed part of the idiom. You cannot say 'yokuşu sürmek'.
Extremely. It's often used in meetings to describe uncooperative partners or bureaucratic hurdles.
No, you must include the dative suffix: 'yokuşa'.
'Zorluk çıkarmak' is more literal (causing difficulty), while 'yokuşa sürmek' is more colorful and idiomatic.
Yes! If your partner is making a simple decision (like where to eat) very difficult, you can use it.
Yes, 'yokuş yapmak' is a common slang variation used among friends.
İşi benim için yokuşa sürdü.
Only if you think the teacher made the exam hard *on purpose* to fail students. If it's just a hard subject, don't use it.
Yes, very often, especially in politics: 'AB süreci yokuşa sürüyor' (EU is stalling the process).
It is considered B1 (Intermediate) because it requires understanding metaphorical language and specific case usage.
Related Phrases
zora koşmak
synonymTo make things difficult or force a hard situation.
ayak diremek
similarTo dig one's heels in; to be stubborn.
önünü açmak
contrastTo clear the way; to facilitate.
zorluk çıkarmak
synonymTo cause difficulty.
ipe un sermek
similarTo make flimsy excuses to avoid doing something.
