throws a wrench in
Complicates the process
To throw a wrench in something is to disrupt or sabotage a plan or process, as a wrench thrown into machinery would jam the gears: Her resignation threw a wrench in our expansion plans.
The British equivalent is "throw a spanner in the works." Often appears as throw a wrench into.
- meddlingIntrusive interference in others' concerns
- monkey businessDeceitful or frivolous conduct
- derailmentLeaving the intended track
- interruptionBreak in continuity
- puts a damper onDiminishes enthusiasm or enjoyment
hurdle · barrier · sabotage · gums up the works · repercussions · disturbance · snag · obstruction · complication · fly in the ointment · fallout · bottleneck · ramifications · impediment · spanner · breakdown · tampering · intervention
throws a wrench infacilitates
Makes more possible
helps along · enables · makes possible · paves the way · assists
throws a wrench inpreserves
Cooked fruit in sugar
stabilizes · holds together · sustains · shores up · reinforces
throw, throws, threw, thrown, throwing, thrower, wrench, wrenches, wrenched