throw a wrench in

verb

To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle in; to complicate.

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Meanings

verbthrow a wrench in (third-person singular simple present throws a wrench in, present participle throwing a wrench in, simple past threw a wrench in, past participle thrown a wrench in)

present singular third person throws a wrench in · participle present throwing a wrench in · past threw a wrench in · participle past thrown a wrench in

  1. USidiomaticTo introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle in; to complicate.

    The pandemic is also weighing on preparations, with election administrations hyperaware that Covid cases could throw a wrench in their plans at the last minute.

    2020 December 28, Zach Montellaro, “Georgia election admins battle Covid and conspiracies ahead of Senate runoffs”, in Politico

Origin

See throw a wrench in the works.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

“throw a wrench in.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/throw%20a%20wrench%20in. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “throw a wrench in,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/throw%20a%20wrench%20in.

Source: throw a wrench in on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.