throw a wrench in the gears

verb

Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.

Similar
throw a spanner in the works
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Meanings

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

present singular third person throws a wrench in the gears · participle present throwing a wrench in the gears · past threw a wrench in the gears · participle past thrown a wrench in the gears · alternative throw a wrench into the works

  1. USidiomaticSynonym of throw a spanner in the works.

    Synonyms: throw a spanner in the works

Synonyms & antonyms

verbSynonym of throw a spanner in the works.

Similar
throw a spanner in the works
Also see
throw a spanner in the works
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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