Meaning
To cause a disruption that spoils plans.
Primary Function
Describing disruption
Communicative Purpose
To explain an unforeseen problem that derails progress.
Pattern
throw a; in the works
Core Structure
throw a; in the works
Função primária
Describing disruption
Propósito comunicativo
To explain an unforeseen problem that derails progress.
Situações de gatilho
Unexpected obstacles, technical faults, policy changes
Contextos
Engineering projects, business planning, team workflows
Padrão
throw a; in the works
Estrutura central
throw a; in the works
Slots de substituição
[tool] → spanner, wrench, monkey wrench
Colocados típicos
- completely
- threatened to
- that's thrown
Substituições comuns
- throw a wrench in the works (American English)
Erros comuns
throw spanner (missing article)
Similar / contraste
upset the applecart, ruin the plan, derail the process
Interferências
Not about tools.
Família do chunk
- Obstacle idioms
Nuance
Frustrating and disruptive; implies avoidable interference.
Efeito pragmático
Expresses annoyance at unexpected obstacles that disrupt plans.
Dica de memória
Metal spanner tossed into rotating gears
Nota
Common in British and Australian English.
Upgrade path
introduce an unforeseen impediment (formal)
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