spanners
British toolkit staples
Spanners is the plural of spanner, a British term for wrench—a tool for gripping and turning nuts and bolts.
Hand me one of those spanners.
To throw a spanner in the works is to cause disruption or sabotage a plan.
In American English, this idiom becomes "throw a wrench in the works."
Tool for turning fasteners
- socketHollow receiving cavity
- adjustableAble to be changed
- torqueRotational force measurement
- ratchetToothed one-way mechanism
combination · ring · toolkit · mechanic · tighten · loosen · bolt · nut
Functions or labors
- monkeyTailed primate mammal
- throwPropel by arm motion
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
wreck · spoil · ruin · plan · scheme · obstacle · interference · complication
wrench
Tool for turning fasteners
- socketHollow receiving cavity
- adjustableAble to be changed
- torqueRotational force measurement
ratchet · combination · ring · toolkit · mechanic · tighten · loosen · bolt · nut · fastener
works
Functions or labors
disrupt · wreck · spoil · ruin · plan · scheme · obstacle · interference · complication · hindrance
engine
Machine producing motion
- automotiveRelating to motor vehicles
- plumbingWater and waste infrastructure
- bicyclePedal-powered two-wheeler
machinery · assembly · fitting · pipe · valve · coupling · flange · hydraulic · pneumatic · industrial
set
Arrange in position
millimeter · inch · AF · range · graduated · organized · rack · holder · roll · numbered
- hand toolsscrewdriver, wrench, hammer, pliers, saw
- hardwaredoor handle, hinge, lock, latch, screw
spannersscrewdrivers
Fastener-turning hand tools
hammers · power tools · Allen keys · pliers · chisels
spannersgeniuses
Exceptionally gifted intellects
experts · masterminds · whizzes · brains · sharp cookies
- thrown a spanner in the worksDeliberately caused malfunction
- spanner in the worksDeliberate disruption to plans
- throw a spanner in the worksDeliberately cause malfunction
- put a spanner in the worksDeliberately disrupt smooth operations
- throwing a spanner in the worksIntentionally disrupting a process
- throw a spanner into the worksDeliberately disrupt smooth operations