spanner
noun /ˈspænə(r)/
/ˈspænər/
(British English) (also wrench North American English, British English)
Idioms - a metal tool with an end with a special shape for holding and turning nuts and bolts (= small metal rings and pins that hold things together)
enlarge image- I’ll need a spanner to change the back wheel.
Word Originlate 18th cent.: from German spannen ‘draw tight’ + -er.
Idioms
(throw) a spanner in the works (British English)
(North American English (throw) a (monkey) wrench in the works)
- (to cause) a delay or problem with something that somebody is planning or doingTopics Difficulty and failurec2