throw a monkey wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The sudden rain threw a monkey wrench in the works for our picnic.”
“We were ready to launch the website, but a last-minute server error threw a monkey wrench in the works.”
“The unexpected resignation of the lead architect threw a monkey wrench in the works, forcing the firm to delay the entire construction project indefinitely.”
- 01
as clever as a cartload of monkeys
Very clever, cunning or mischievous.
- 02
barrel of monkeys
Someone or something very amusing or funny, fun, mischievous, etc.
- 03
brass monkey
Very cold.
- 04
brass monkeys
Very cold.
- 05
cheeky monkey
An impudent person, usually a child.
- 06
get one's monkey up
To make someone angry, annoyed or irritated.
- 07
grease monkey
A mechanic, often with the specific connotation of an automobile mechanic.
- 08
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
Last updated August 10, 2026