| 单词 | to throw a spanner in the works |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto throw a spanner in the works b. Colloquial phrase to throw a spanner in the works and variants: to cause disruption, to interfere with the smooth running of something. Cf. to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery at monkey wrench n. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > [verb (intransitive)] > hinder by interference interrupt1412 intervene1649 to break in1657 intercedea1661 to queer the pitch1846 to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery1907 to gum (up) the works1932 to throw a spanner in the works1934 1934 P. G. Wodehouse Right ho, Jeeves xi. 142 He should have had sense enough to see that he was throwing a spanner into the works. 1939 A. Ransome Secret Water i. 18 We can't go. It's all off. The First Lord's chucked a spanner in the works. 1946 D. L. Sayers Unpop. Opinions 111 She was in love with Leicester—why didn't she marry him? Well, for the very same reason that numberless kings have not married their lovers—because it would have thrown a spanner into the wheels of the State machine. 1959 News Chron. 10 July 4/1 Mr. Cousins has thrown a spanner into the Labour Party's works. 1960 ‘R. East’ Kingston Black ix. 90 My department might be able to throw a spanner into the works—if necessary. 1977 Time Out 17 June 5/4 Either way, the 60 workers occupying the factory have put a spanner in the works. < as lemmas |
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