throw a spanner in the works
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throw a spanner in the works
verb throws a spanner in the works · throwing a spanner in the works · threw a spanner in the works · thrown a spanner in the works · throw a spanner into the works
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To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
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.
Similar: throw a wrench in the works, throw a wrench in the gears, throw a monkey wrench in the works, gum up the works
Translations
Every language
verb to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected
| 中文 | 打亂陣腳 /打乱阵脚 dǎluàn zhènjiǎo |
|---|---|
| Français | mettre des bâtons dans les roues |
| Tiếng Việt | thọc gậy bánh xe |
| עברית | תקע מקלות בגלגלים |
Talk about this word "throw a spanner in the works." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/throw%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026. throw a spanner in the works. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/throw%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works "throw a spanner in the works." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/throw%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works.Cite this
@misc{throw_a_spanner_in_the_works_2026,
title = {throw a spanner in the works},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/throw%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works},
urldate = {2026-11-07}
}
