Phrase guide

throw a spanner in the works

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • Halfway through the production of Macbeth, the director found that the stage was smaller than he had expected. This really threw a spanner in the works.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: throw a wrench in the works, throw a wrench in the gears, throw a monkey wrench in the works, gum up the works

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 打亂陣腳 /打乱阵脚 (dǎluàn zhènjiǎo) — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Finnish: heittää kapuloita rattaisiin — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • French: mettre des bâtons dans les roues — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Hebrew: תקע מקלות בגלגלים — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Hungarian: keresztülhúzza a számítását/számításait — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Hungarian: belerondít — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Hungarian: felborítja a tervet/terveit — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Hungarian: beleköp a levesbe — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Norwegian Bokmål: stikke kjepper i hjulene — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
  • Vietnamese: thọc gậy bánh xe — to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected