Throw a Wrench in the Works.
English
idiom
To cause a sudden problem that stops progress.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To cause a sudden problem that stops progress.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To cause a sudden problem that stops progress.
When something throws a wrench in the works, the plan was running fine until an unexpected obstacle jammed it.
The image is machinery seizing the moment a tool falls into the moving parts.
"Move the Goalposts"
—
Change the rules after people already started
"Rock the Boat"
—
Disturb a calm situation others want left alone
"Throw a Wrench in the Works"
—
Jam a working plan with a sudden obstacle
The permit was refused this morning.
That throws a wrench in the works. Let's replan today.
Everything was ready until the storm threw a wrench in the works.
What did you end up doing?
Does the delay throw a wrench in the works for you too?
It does, but I can shift my part to next week.
