How do you use monkey wrench in a sentence?
1. Their delegation threw a giant monkey wrench into the process this week by raising all sorts of petty objections. 2. Vanessa shot out of the car wielding a monkey wrench and faced the guy down.
What does the phrase throw a monkey wrench into?
Definition of throw/hurl/toss a monkey wrench into US, informal. : to damage or change (something) in a way that ruins it or prevents it from working properly The storm threw a monkey wrench into their plans for a picnic.
What does throws a wrench mean?
US, informal. : to damage or change (something) in a way that ruins it or prevents it from working properly We were going to renew our lease, but the landlord threw a wrench into the works by increasing the rent.
Where does the expression throw a monkey wrench in the works come from?
A monkey wrench is a type of adjustable wrench or spanner. And to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery is a metaphor for disrupting something, a metaphor of throwing a heavy metal object into machinery. The term originated in Britain, although nowadays it’s primarily found in North American speech and writing.
Is monkey wrench one word?
Also called, especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.
What is the monkey business mean?
monkey business. Silly, mischievous, or deceitful conduct, as in The teacher told the children to cut out the monkey business and get to work, or I don’t trust that lawyer—there’s some monkey business going on. This expression transfers the tricks of monkeys to human behavior. [ Late 1800s]
Is monkey wrench an idiom?
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: throw a monkey wrench in(to) (something)
What is another word for monkey wrench?
adjustable spanner
Also called, especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.
Is there a monkey wrench?
The monkey wrench is a type of adjustable wrench, a 19th century American refinement of 18th-century English coach wrenches. It was widely used in the 19th and early 20th century. These are also known as a Ford wrench owing to this type of wrench being included in the tool kit supplied with every Ford Model A.
What does rat race mean in slang?
: the unpleasant life of people who have jobs that require them to work very hard in order to compete with others for money, power, status, etc.
How do you use monkey business?
The phrase ‘Monkey Business’ is used to describe silliness; dishonest tricks. Example of Use: “That’s enough monkey business. Now, settle down. Stop the fun and games.
Where does the phrase throw a wrench?
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.
