monkey wrench
Also called, 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.
Origin of monkey wrench
1Other definitions for monkey-wrench (2 of 2)
to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately: The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.
to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism.
Origin of monkey-wrench
2Other words from monkey-wrench
- monkey-wrencher, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for monkey wrench
a wrench with adjustable jaws
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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