put a spanner in the works

A form of throw a spanner in the works — To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.

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Meanings

verbput a spanner in the works (third-person singular simple present puts a spanner in the works, present participle putting a spanner in the works, simple past and past participle put a spanner in the works)

present singular third person puts a spanner in the works · participle present putting a spanner in the works

  1. alternativeAlternative form of throw a spanner in the works.
Cite this entry
APA

put a spanner in the works. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/put%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works

MLA

“put a spanner in the works.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/put%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “put a spanner in the works,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/put%20a%20spanner%20in%20the%20works.

Source: put a spanner in the works on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.