throw a spanner into the works

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

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbthrow a spanner into the works (third-person singular simple present throws a spanner into the works, present participle throwing a spanner into the works, simple past threw a spanner into the works, past participle thrown a spanner into the works)

present singular third person throws a spanner into the works · participle present throwing a spanner into the works · past threw a spanner into the works · participle past thrown a spanner into the works

  1. alternativeAlternative form of throw a spanner in the works.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
throw a monkey wrench into the works
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: throw a spanner into the works on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.