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Meaning of spanner in the works | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

Something that disrupts smooth operation or functioning.

UK, idiomatic

Examples

“The kids' involvement was unfortunately more of a spanner in the works than a helpful contribution toward Daddy's progress on the task, but he gamely pretended to be thankful anyway.”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

spanner wrench spanner, wrench Spanners Spanning spanning tree Spano