A wrench. Commonly used in the phrase to ‘throw a spanner in the works’ meaning to break something.
Spanner
Example Sentences
"That's a proper Spanner, that is."
"I've never seen such a Spanner in all my life."
Etymology & History
British wrench. British tool terminology. Mechanics' spanner British. 'Spanner in the works' British disruption metaphor. Americans 'wrench'. Reflects British-American tool vocabulary.
Word Details
📍
Region
General British
📅
Era
Modern
✓
Language
Mild
💬
Formality
Informal
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition
British Slang from A to Zed
By Jonathan Thomas
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