English Idiom – Throw a spanner in the works (or put a spanner in the works).
To do something that causes a problem and stops a plan from going smoothly. A spanner in the works is an unexpected obstacle – caused by bad luck, carelessness, or even sabotage.
To remember it, imagine throwing a spanner (a metal tool for turning nuts and bolts) into a moving machine. The gears would jam and everything would grind to a halt!
British vs American English
This is the British version. Americans usually say throw a monkey wrench into the works – a monkey wrench is a type of adjustable tool, and Americans tend to use wrench where British speakers say spanner.
In British slang, a spanner can also mean a silly person: “You forgot your wallet again? You complete spanner!” It’s only mildly rude.
Usage:
- Last-minute changes cause problems for your plans.
- Someone changes a plan and puts the whole thing at risk.
- Someone suddenly can’t make an event you’d organised around them.
Example:
- Bobby: “We were hoping to get married in January, but now we can’t.”
- Mike: “Why not?”
- Bobby: “My future mother-in-law has thrown a spanner in the works – she’s going to Australia in January!”
In the News
Spotted in the news£70 million striker could be Manchester United’s new Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Arsenal may throw a spanner in the worksmanutdnews.comWhat is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
To cause a problem that stops a plan from working smoothly.
“Throw a monkey wrench into the works”.
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