SINCE 1828
put/throw a spanner in the works
idiomDefinition of put/throw a spanner in the works
informal
: to cause something to not go as planned
We were ready to start the project when the bank threw a spanner in the works by denying the loan.
Comments on put/throw a spanner in the works
What made you want to look up put/throw a spanner in the works? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Latin Quiz
-
- Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Words from Greek and Latin Quiz
Finally! A use for those SAT prep classes.
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing: Animal Edition
How many animals can you identify?
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share put/throw a spanner in the works
Resources for put/throw a spanner in the works