throw a wrench
Cause unexpected problems
To throw a wrench into something is to disrupt or sabotage a plan or process, like jamming machinery with a tool: Her resignation threw a wrench into the merger negotiations.
British English uses spanner: throw a spanner in the works.
The phrase implies sudden, unexpected interference with something that was running smoothly.
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- monkeyTailed primate mammal
- gum up the worksSabotage smooth operations
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
- spannerTool for turning nuts
works · plan · best laid plans · ruin · obstacle · fly in the ointment · derail · interfere · complicate · hinder · curve ball · foil · upset · rain on parade · gears · machinery · scheme · undermine
- making troublemake waves, stir the pot, raise Cain, kick up a fuss, upset the apple cart
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- dirty tacticsdirty trick, dirty tricks, dirty pool, foul play, cheap shot
- meddlingmeddle, meddler, butt in, horn in, intrude
facilitation vs obstruction
throw a wrenchhelp along
Support advancement of
facilitate · pave the way · grease the wheels · enable · assist
throw, throws, threw, thrown, throwing, thrower, wrench, wrenches, wrenched