put a spanner in the works
Cause mechanical failure
To put a spanner in the works is to disrupt a plan or process, typically by introducing an unexpected obstacle.
The image is of throwing a wrench into machinery, jamming the gears.
Chiefly British; the American equivalent is throw a wrench in the works.
Everything was going smoothly until the budget cuts put a spanner in the works.
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
- throw a wrenchSabotage ongoing efforts
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
- gum up the worksSabotage smooth operations
- foilDefeat a plan
upset the apple cart · hinder · scupper · bollix · cock up · balls up · sabotage · fly in the ointment · hamper · undermine · derailment · thwart · rain on parade · meddling · monkey wrench · blockage · complication · impede
put a spanner in the worksfacilitate
Make something easier
grease the wheels · assist · pave the way · enable · expedite
put a spanner in the worksplay ball
Cooperate or begin game
pitch in · pull together · cooperate · collaborate · chip in
put a spanner in the worksstreamline
Remove unnecessary elements
clear the way · troubleshoot · fix · sort out · keep the ball rolling