Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

throw a spanner in the works

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.58 in modern English

Syllables: throw a s-pan-ner in the -works
IPA

41

Scrabble Score

23

Letters

4

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.

British usage

Example Sentences

"Halfway through the production of Macbeth, the director found that the stage was smaller than he had expected. This really threw a spanner in the works."

Usage

British usage

Inflected Forms

throws a spanner in the works (present, singular) throwing a spanner in the works (participle, present) threw a spanner in the works (past) thrown a spanner in the works (participle, past) throw a spanner into the works (alternative)

Phrases

throw a wrench in the works put a spoke in someone's wheel monkey wrench spanner in the works

Frequently Paired Words

throw a wrench in the works put a spoke in someone's wheel monkey wrench spanner in the works

Synonyms

throw a wrench in the works throw a wrench in the gears throw a monkey wrench in the works gum up the works

Questions

What does throw a spanner in the works mean?: To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.

How to pronounce throw a spanner in the works

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