monkey wrench

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And part of their idea was you throw a monkey wrench into this process to stop it.

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2023

“The last thing that a booming economy needs is to throw a monkey wrench into a system that we have that is working marvelously well.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 12, 2023

“To be thrown back into crisis with whatever monkey wrench happens next — I think that would be unfair.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2022

Stroup mentioned that because the pandemic has temporarily thrown a monkey wrench into that time-honored custom, he plans ahead.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2021

While everyone else was working to smooth the path toward integration, he could be the monkey wrench thrown into the works to slow the process down.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson