throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into

phrase

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

What can throw a monkey wrench into this is a very short escrow period, say 15 days. — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025

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

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

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