How do you pronounce "throw a monkey wrench into the works"?

"throw a monkey wrench into the works" is pronounced [/θroʊ ə ˈmʌŋki rɛntʃ ˈɪntu ðə wɜːrks/]

throw a monkey wrench into the works meaning | English expression

throw a monkey wrench into the works

VERB

[/θroʊ ə ˈmʌŋki rɛntʃ ˈɪntu ðə wɜːrks/]

To deliberately or accidentally disrupt a plan, process, or system, causing it to fail or stop working smoothly.

💡 Concept

The sudden power outage threw a monkey wrench into the works and delayed the entire production.

🧠 Mnemonic

The team had planned the event perfectly, but a last-minute rule change threw a monkey wrench into the works. (MONKEY WRENCH = an adjustable wrench)

🎵 Rhyme

A monkey wrench disrupted the works, so the mechanic sat on a bench after fixing the machine and discovered a terrible stench.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/θroʊ ə ˈmʌŋki rɛntʃ ˈɪntu ðə wɜːrks/

🇬🇧 UK/θrəʊ ə ˈmʌŋki rentʃ ˈɪntuː ðə wɜːks/

🌳Etymology

Origin

Originates from 19th-century American factory slang, where literally throwing a wrench into machinery would jam its gears and halt production.

Breakdown

throw (to fling) + monkey wrench (adjustable tool) + into (inside) + the works (the machine's moving parts)

🎵Rhyme

benchwrenchquenchtrench

bench

wrench

quench

trench

🔗Collocations

throw a monkey wrench into someone's plans

throw a wrench in the works

throw a spanner in the works

throw a monkey wrench into negotiations

throw a monkey wrench into the schedule

throw a monkey wrench into the project

throw a monkey wrench into the deal

📝Examples

“The power outage threw a monkey wrench into the company's product launch.”

😄 Fun example

“My little brother threw a monkey wrench into my study plan by hiding my textbooks as a prank.”

😄 Fun example

“Just when the wedding was going perfectly, the groom's monkey escaped and threw a real monkey wrench into the works — literally!”

“A sudden budget cut threw a monkey wrench into the research team's plans.”

📚Related Words

throw a monkey wrench into the works — To deliberately or accidentally disrupt a plan, process, or system, causing it to fail or stop working smoothly.

Example Sentences