How to Pronounce "throw a spanner in the works"
expression
THROH uh SPAN-er in the WURKS
th-ROH uh SPAN-uh in the WURKS
Definition
To cause a problem or difficulty that prevents something from happening smoothly or as planned.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈθɹoʊ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈspænɝ/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈwɝks
British English
θɹˈəʊ/ /æɪ/ /spˈænɐ/ /ˈɪn/ /ðə, ði/ /wˈɜːks
Simplified Pronunciation
US
THROH uh SPAN-er in the WURKS
UK
th-ROH uh SPAN-uh in the WURKS
Listen in Context
The rain threw a spanner in the works for our picnic.
If he cancels, it will throw a spanner in the works for the whole team.
A last-minute problem threw a spanner in the works of our project.
We were almost done until computer issues threw a spanner in the works.