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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Trump repeatedly threatened to throw a monkey wrench into the $600 billion-dollar trade relationship between the two nations by raising tariffs. Dallas News, 10 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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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 7 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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