spanners in the works

A form of spanner in the works — Something that disrupts smooth operation or functioning.

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Meanings

noun
  1. pluralplural of spanner in the works
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: spanners in the works on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.