throw a spanner in the works en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
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(UK, idiomatic) To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
Halfway through the production of Macbeth, the director found that the stage was smaller than he had expected. This really threw a spanner in the works.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| threw a spanner in the works | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| throws a spanner in the works | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| thrown a spanner in the works | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| throwing a spanner in the works | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| throw a spanner into the works | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
monkey wrench · throw a wrench in the works · put a spoke in someone's wheel · spanner in the works
Synonyms
throw a wrench in the gears · throw a monkey wrench in the works · throw a wrench in the works · gum up the works
Translations (10)
nb stikke kjepper i hjulene (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · hu felborítja a tervet/terveit (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · fi heittää kapuloita rattaisiin (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · cmn 打亂陣腳 /打乱阵脚 (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · fr mettre des bâtons dans les roues (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · hu belerondít (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · he תקע מקלות בגלגלים (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · vi thọc gậy bánh xe (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · hu keresztülhúzza a számítását/számításait (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected) · hu beleköp a levesbe (to introduce an obstacle or something unexpected)