throw a wrench in en · VERB
Etymology
See throw a wrench in the works.
Meanings
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(US, idiomatic) To 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:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| throws a wrench in | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| threw a wrench in | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| thrown a wrench in | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| throwing a wrench in | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |