throwing a wrench in the works
Causing deliberate malfunction
Throwing a wrench in the works is to disrupt a plan or process that was running smoothly.
The image is of a tool falling into machinery and jamming the gears.
Everything was on schedule until the supplier's bankruptcy threw a wrench in the works.
The British equivalent is "throwing a spanner in the works."
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- monkey businessDeceitful or frivolous conduct
- meddlingIntrusive interference in others' concerns
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- tamperingImproper interference with something
hindrance · gumming up · mechanisms · interruption · derailment · foiling · best laid plans · curve ball · wild card · game changer · workaround · plan B · malfunction · spanner · interference · rocking the boat · contingency planning · adaptation
throwing a wrench in the worksgreasing the wheels
Facilitating through incentives
facilitating · enabling · expediting · paving the way · lending a hand
throwing a wrench in the workstroubleshooting
Systematic fault diagnosis
stabilizing · repairing · holding it together · keeping the peace · fine-tuning
throws, thrown, thrower, wrench, wrenches, wrenched, wrenching, workers, rework