spanner in the works
Something that disrupts smooth operation or functioning.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The sudden rain put a spanner in the works for our picnic.”
“We had everything planned for the wedding, but the caterer canceling at the last minute really threw a spanner in the works.”
“The sudden resignation of the lead engineer threw a significant spanner in the works, forcing the entire project team to delay the launch by several months.”
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crescent spanner
An open-end adjustable spanner with a worm-drive thumbwheel. When the term adjustable spanner or adjustable wrench is used, this type (branded with any of many brands) is usually the type meant.
- 02
if it works, it works
if an action achieves its desired result, one should leave it at that; the outcome of an action is more important than the action itself
- 03
throw a monkey wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
- 04
throw a monkey wrench into the works
Synonym of throw a spanner into the works.
- 05
throw a spanner in the works
To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
- 06
throw a wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
Last updated August 10, 2026