throw a monkey wrench into



throw a monkey wrench into something

to cause something to fail We keep trying to get together, but her crazy schedule keeps throwing a monkey wrench into our plans.
See also: monkey, throw, wrench

throw a monkey wrench into

Sabotage or frustrate a project or plans, as in The boss threw a monkey wrench into our plans when he said we'd have to work Saturday. This transfer of industrial sabotage-that is, throwing a tool inside machinery-to other subjects dates from the early 1900s.
See also: monkey, throw, wrench

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
AgustÍNah-goos-TEENSpanish
Mala-Indian, Hindi
Peeter-Estonian
Math-Welsh Mythology
Shealtielshee-AHL-tee-əl (English)Biblical
Ellen['elin]