A spanner in the works
Meaning
An unexpected event or obstacle that prevents a plan or process from going smoothly.
Origin
Imagine a colossal machine, its gears precisely interlocking, rhythmically driving a complex operation forward. Now picture a worker, either through sheer accident or deliberate mischief, letting a heavy spanner – the British term for a wrench – slip and fall directly into that intricate mechanism. The immediate result is a catastrophic screech, a grinding halt, and a complete breakdown of the system. This potent image of a small, metallic object bringing sophisticated machinery to a standstill gave the phrase its powerful meaning, vividly illustrating an unforeseen disruption that derails a carefully laid plan or process, and entered common usage in the early 20th century.
Examples
- The sudden power outage threw a spanner in the works for our evening presentation.
- Just as the construction was nearing completion, the discovery of ancient ruins put a major spanner in the works, delaying the project indefinitely.