crosspiece - a transverse brace

dinghy, dory, rowboat - a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled

disappoint, let down - fail to meet the hopes or expectations of; "Her boyfriend let her down when he did not propose marriage"

foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, forbid - keep from happening or arising; have the effect of preventing; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"

dash - destroy or break; "dashed ambitions and hopes"

short-circuit - hamper the progress of; impede; "short-circuit warm feelings"

ruin - destroy or cause to fail; "This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election"