throw a monkey wrench in the works



throw a monkey wrench in the works

Fig. to cause problems for someone's plans. I don't want to throw a monkey wrench in the works, but have you checked your plans with a lawyer? When John suddenly refused to help us, he really threw a monkey wrench in the works.
See also: monkey, throw, work, wrench

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Toma (1)-Russian
Akiraah-kee-ṙahJapanese
Kalpana-Indian, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Nepali
Raziela-Hebrew
Ashtad-Persian Mythology
BradenBRAY-dənEnglish, Irish