throw a spanner in(to) the works Idiom

in the works

in the plans, to be built I've heard there's a housing project in the works.

it works

it is right, it looks nice, it is a good style If you place the vase over there and the statue here, it works.

shoot the works

spare no expense or effort They are planning to shoot the works when they plan the victory celebration for the Olympic medal winners.

the whole works

the whole building, all the equipment, everything The warehouse and stock - the whole works burned in the fire.

throw a monkey wrench into the works

wreck a project, monkey wrenching, piss in the pickles The report that coffee causes cancer threw a monkey wrench into our plans to import coffee.

turn on the waterworks

Idiom(s): turn on the waterworks

Theme: EMOTION

to begin to cry. (Slang.)
• Every time Billy got homesick, he turned on the waterworks.
• Sally hurt her knee and turned on the waterworks for about twenty minutes.

give sb the works

Idiom(s): give sb the works

Theme: ABUNDANCE

to give someone the full amount or the full treatment. (Slang.)
• The judge gave her the works for driving too fast.
• I want everything. Give me the works.

get the works

Idiom(s): get the works

Theme: ABUNDANCE

to receive a lot of something. (Slang. The works can be a lot of food, good treatment, bad treatment, etc.)
• BILL: Shall we order a snack or a big meal? JANE: I'm hungry. Let's get the works.
• But, Your Honor. I shouldn't get the works. I only drove too fast!

gum up the works

Idiom(s): gum something up AND gum up the works

Theme: RUIN

to make something inoperable; to ruin someone's plans. (Informal.)
• Please, Bill, be careful and don't gum up the works.
• Tom sure gummed it up.
• Tom sure gummed up the whole plan.

An idle brain is the devil's workshop.

When you work you avoid temptation.

throw a spanner in(to) the works

To disrupt, foil, or account problems to a plan, activity, or project. Primarily heard in UK. We had aggregate in band for the party, but accepting the caterer abolish on us at the aftermost minute absolutely threw a spanner in the works! It'll absolutely bandy a spanner into the works if the lath decides not to access our allotment for this project.Learn more: spanner, throw, work

throw a spanner in the works

put a spanner in the works

BRITISHCOMMON If addition or article throws a spanner in the works or puts a spanner in the works, they account problems which anticipate article from accident in the way that it was planned. If they're aback activity to change the arrangement, it's activity to bandy a spanner in the works. It is bright Britain could accept put a spanner in the works of the contract. Note: You can additionally aloof allocution about a spanner in the works, acceptation `a botheration that prevents article from accident the way that it was planned'. Another accessible spanner in the works is the weather, which may anticipate us from travelling on the 18th. Note: The accepted American announcement is throw a bend into the works or throw a monkey bend into the works. Learn more: spanner, throw, work

Learn more:

More Idioms/Phrases

All days are short to Industry and long to Idlenes All is fair in love and war All things grow with time - except grief. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. An empty purse frightens away friends. An Englishman's home is his castle. An idle brain is the devil's workshop. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A bad workman blames his tools. A bird in hand is worth two in a bush. A broken friendship may be soldered but will never A burden of one's own choice is not felt. A burnt child dreads the fire. A cat has nine lives. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.