threw a spanner in the works
Deliberately caused problems
Threw a spanner in the works means caused a disruption or obstacle that prevented something from proceeding smoothly.
The image is of a metal tool falling into machinery and jamming the gears: Everything was on schedule until the permit denial threw a spanner in the works.
Chiefly British; the American equivalent is threw a wrench in the works.
- monkey wrenchTool with sliding jaw
- throw a wrenchSabotage ongoing efforts
- gum up the worksSabotage smooth operations
- upset the apple cartDisrupt established order
- fly in the ointmentSmall flaw spoiling everything
rain on parade · wrench · curveball · curve ball · sabotage · monkey business · obstacle · hindrance · complication · derailment · snag · hit a snag · roadblock · impediment · glitch · red tape · interruption · obstruction
threw a spanner in the workshelped along
Given support to advance
facilitated · paved the way · expedited · streamlined · enabled
threw a spanner in the workslent a hand
Provided voluntary assistance
pitched in · pulled together · contributed · built up · helped out
throws, thrown, throwing, thrower, spanner, spanners, workers, unworkable, rework