throw a monkey wrench into See synonyms for throw a monkey wrench into on Thesaurus.com Sabotage or frustrate a project or plans, as in The boss threw a monkey wrench into our plans when he said we'd have to work Saturday. US, informal : to damage or change (something) in a way that ruins it or prevents it from working properly We were going to renew our lease, but the landlord threw a wrench into the works by increasing the rent. Enrich your vocabulary with the English Definition dictionary https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/throw+a+wrench+in+the+works. Top antonyms for throw a wrench (opposite of throw a wrench) are ease, ensure and uphold. Wrench definition, to twist suddenly and forcibly; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist: He wrenched the prisoner's wrist. To disrupt, foil, or cause problems to a plan, activity, or project. Comments on throw a wrench into the works. We were going to renew our lease, but the landlord, Post the Definition of throw a wrench into the works to Facebook, Share the Definition of throw a wrench into the works on Twitter, 'If' vs. 'Whether': Similar But Different, 'Infrastructure': A New Word from Old Roots. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). For example: “Sorry to throw a wrench into your plans, but we can’t launch the product that day—the president will be out of the country.”. Definition of THROW A (MONKEY) WRENCH INTO SOMETHING (phrase): prevent something happening as people intended The American-English phrase to throw a monkey wrench into means to stop or obstruct by direct interference—synonym (British English): to throw a spanner in(to) the works.. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! Alternative form of throw a wrench in the works . Sabotage an operation or plan. Accessed 21 Apr. to pull and twist something suddenly or violently away from its position: The photographer tripped over the cord, wrenching a microphone from its stand. It was not until the early twentieth century that it became associated with sabotage. There is even a 'throw a monkey wrench in the works' variant in the USA. I don't want to throw a monkey wrench in the works, but have you checked your plans with a lawyer? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Meaning of throw a (monkey) wrench in the works in English throw a (monkey) wrench in the works US (UK put/throw a spanner in the works) to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding: All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. We had everything in line for the party, but having the caterer cancel on us at the last minute really threw a wrench in the works! 1 decade ago Are you referring to the phrase"Throw a wrench in the works" if you are then it means to do or say something that will cause something to not go as … Throw-a-wrench-in-the-works meaning Synonym of throw a spanner in the works. throw a wrench in the works. If a wrench were to fall into the gears of the large factory machine, it would make everything stop. Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Throw a wrench in the works meaning and usage. Synonyms for throw a monkey wrench in the works include foil, frustrate, thwart, counter, disappoint, check, stop, defeat, hamper and hinder. Most health-related problems, of course, are not life-threatening, but they can throw a wrench into an otherwise pleasant holiday. Of course they may not sign the agreement by the sixteenth and that would throw a monkey wrench into the works. US, figurative, slang (disrupt) mettre des bâtons dans les roues à [qqn] loc v. locution verbale: groupe de mots fonctionnant comme un verbe. This is a variation on "a monkeywrench in the works" which dates back to the industrial revolution. monkey in the wrench was first used in the movie Die Hard in 1988. a power-driven machine for separating grain or other seed from the straw or husk; The phone had been wrenched from/off the wall. Sorry to throw a monkey wrench into your plans, Governor. a nuisance, something that ditracts from getting things done. (verb) throw a monkey wrench into [sth] v expr. The monkey wrench, called an “adjustable spanner” in Britain, appears to have reminded someone of a monkey’s jaws, which loosely resemble the sliding jaws of this very useful tool. This is the British version of the idiom. Find 277 ways to say THROW MONKEY WRENCH IN, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Definition of THROW A MONKEY WRENCH INTO SOMETHING (phrase): prevent something happening as planned Then he asks a friend, perhaps, if he should break out of the mold and throw everyone off, or if he should suck it up and be 'fucked up and cold' like everyone else seems to be by destroying others' lives and … Synonyms for throw a monkey wrench into include hurt, harm, damage, destabilise, destabilize, undermine, weaken, wreck, compromise and cripple. verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end." Origin of this idiom: a wrench is a type of tool, and if a wrench accidentally gets caught in machinery, the machine will stop working. This suggestion first appeared in print in 1920 in Philander Johnson’s story. A list of slang words and phrases, idioms, jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. throw a monkey wrench into [sth] v expr. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? Primarily heard in US. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Can you correctly identify these flowers? To do something that stops an event or activity from being successful. An idea of how to throw a monkey wrench into Howard's plan. throw a wrench definition in English dictionary, throw a wrench meaning, synonyms, see also 'throw in',throw about',throw off',throw away'. Notes: The UK equivalent is “put a spanner in the works.”. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content. phrase If someone throws a wrench or throws a monkey wrench into a process, they prevent something happening smoothly by deliberately causing a problem. throw a monkey wrench in (to) (something) To disrupt, foil, or cause problems to a plan, activity, or project. I have discovered that the original image: – was of throwing a monkey wrench into the cylinder of a threshing machine, i.e. This name was acquired about the middle of the nineteenth century. Throw a monkey wrench into the works. The slang word / phrase / acronym throw a wrench into the works means... . We had everything in line for the party, but having the caterer cancel on us at the last minute really threw a monkey wrench into our plans! US, figurative, slang (disrupt) poner trabajas en loc verb. See more. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. 'Throw (or put) a spanner in the works' refers to the calamitous effects of throwing a spanner into the gears and pistons of an engine. Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz! This Slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of throw a wrench into the works is. Learn More about throw a wrench into the works Share throw a wrench into the works Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! 5 n-count A wrench or a monkey wrench is an adjustable metal tool used for tightening or loosening metal nuts of different sizes. A wrench-shaped symbol will display on the dashboard instrument panel, including a message that reads “SERVICE DUE.”. We had everything in line for the party, but having the caterer cancel on us at the last minute really threw a wrench in the works! What does throw-a-wrench-into-the-works mean? and throw a wrench in spokes by, leaving the air behind me clear?" Throw A Wrench antonyms. Online Slang Dictionary. What made you want to look up throw a wrench into the works? It'll really throw a monkey wrench into the works if the board decides not to increase our funding for this project. It's usually used as a longer phrase -- "Throw a monkey wrench into the works" -- and it's basically the American English equivalent of the older British term "to throw a spanner in the works". 2021. The … When John suddenly refused to help us, he really threw a monkey wrench in the works. throw a (monkey) wrench in (to) the works To disrupt, foil, or cause problems to a plan, activity, or project. Wrench is simply the American name for Definition: To sabotage; to cause to fail. Learn a new word every day. The US delegation threw a giant monkey wrench into the process this week by raising all sorts of petty objections. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Find 90 ways to say THROW A MONKEY WRENCH INTO, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. The expression comes in a variety of forms - 'put/throw a spanner in the works/wheels/gears'. Throw a wrench into is contained in 1 match in Merriam-Webster Dictionary. What's the definition of Throw a wrench in the works in thesaurus? phrase If someone throws a wrench or throws a monkey wrench into a process, they prevent something happening smoothly by deliberately causing a problem. If the driver neglects a service light, such as the “SERVICE DUE” light, he or she runs the risk of damaging the engine - or worse, ending up stranded on the side of the road or causing an accident. A problem that makes a flawless plan or machine go wrong, as though one were throwing a wrench inbetween a perfectly set pair of gears. Throwing a monkey wrench into the machinery. Learn definitions, uses, and phrases with throw a wrench into. The American version is to throw a wrench in the works. I could sure throw a monkey wrench into your pretty little domestic merry-go-round. verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end." 6 If someone throws a wrench or throws a monkey wrench into a process, they prevent something happening smoothly by deliberately causing a problem. ("Spanner" being the British term for "wrench".) Delivered to your inbox! 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