put/throw a spanner in the works

British & Australian, American

to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding.

We were hoping to get the project started in June but the funding was withdrawn so that rather threw a spanner in the works.

The sudden withdrawal of the guest speaker really threw a monkey wrench in the works.

• put your heart into
• put your heart into something
• put your house in order
• put your life in hands
• put your life in someone's hands
• put your life on the line
• put your mind to it
• put your money on someone
• put your money on something
• put your money where mouth is
• put your money where your mouth is
• put your neck on the block
• put your neck on the line
• put your oar in
• put your own house in order
• put yourself in place
• put yourself in someone's place
• put yourself through
• put yourself through something
• put your shirt on
• put your shirt on something
• put your shoulder to the wheel
• put your thinking cap on
• put your two cents in
• put your two cents worth in