throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into
idiom
US, informal
: to damage or change (something) in a way that ruins it or prevents it from working properly
The storm threw a monkey wrench into their plans for a picnic.
Examples of throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition, tweaking input data for the large language model (LLM) that powers such an AI can throw a monkey wrench into its responses.
—
PC Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Councilwoman Nancy Henjum has been outspoken on the aggressive tactics her council colleagues have taken to throw a monkey wrench into a situation the voters approved.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Things like unpredictable algorithm changes, a shift in how users behave or unforeseen competition can throw a monkey wrench into your analytics.
—Jason Hall, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The missile launch that interrupted the social night out was a foretaste of Pyongyang’s ability to throw a monkey wrench into regional relations.
—Michael Auslin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2017
This does, of course, throw a monkey wrench into the possibility of sustaining a relationship.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024
Or look for a third party candidate and throw a monkey wrench into partisan politics.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023
Way to throw a monkey wrench into spring break plans, Megabus.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2023
Construction crews in the Pacific Northwest know how to get the job done in any weather, but some seasonal surprises can throw a monkey wrench into the works.
—oregonlive, 27 July 2022
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PC Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Councilwoman Nancy Henjum has been outspoken on the aggressive tactics her council colleagues have taken to throw a monkey wrench into a situation the voters approved.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Things like unpredictable algorithm changes, a shift in how users behave or unforeseen competition can throw a monkey wrench into your analytics.
—Jason Hall, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The missile launch that interrupted the social night out was a foretaste of Pyongyang’s ability to throw a monkey wrench into regional relations.
—Michael Auslin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2017
This does, of course, throw a monkey wrench into the possibility of sustaining a relationship.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024
Or look for a third party candidate and throw a monkey wrench into partisan politics.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023
Way to throw a monkey wrench into spring break plans, Megabus.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2023
Construction crews in the Pacific Northwest know how to get the job done in any weather, but some seasonal surprises can throw a monkey wrench into the works.
—oregonlive, 27 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%2Fhurl%2Ftoss%20a%20monkey%20wrench%20into. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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