MONKEY WRENCH Definition & Meaning

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monkey wrench

noun

alsocalledcomma especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.
something that interferes with functioning; obstacle:
He threw a monkey wrench into our plans.

monkey-wrench

[ muhng-kee-rench ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately:
The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.

verb (used without object)

to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism.

monkey wrench

noun

a wrench with adjustable jaws

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��ǲ�k��-�ɰ��Գ��e�� noun

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of monkey wrench¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of monkey wrench²

First recorded in 1800–10

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The conservative justices threw a monkey wrench into the case with their opinion granting broad presidential immunity from prosecution, working through the implications of which will take at least another year.

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But even in areas that typically don't face powerful storms, wildfires or floods, climate change is throwing intense monkey wrenches into what is expected.

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A monkey wrench in all this is the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which became law in June to thwart the federal government defaulting on its debt.

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One potential monkey wrench for the dollar, however, may be lurking in Japan.

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They could throw a monkey wrench into the federal effort to prosecute Trump for his most serious crimes before the 2024 election.

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