How to Pronounce "spanner in the works"
expression
SPAN-ner in thuh WURKS
SPAN-uh in thuh WURKS
Definition
A surprising problem or obstacle that causes plans or processes to fail or be delayed.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈspænɝ/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈwɝks
British English
spˈænɐ/ /ˈɪn/ /ðə, ði/ /wˈɜːks
Simplified Pronunciation
US
SPAN-ner in thuh WURKS
UK
SPAN-uh in thuh WURKS
Listen in Context
Everything was going well until a spanner in the works changed our plans.
Her illness was a real spanner in the works for the trip.
We almost finished the project when a spanner in the works caused a delay.
We thought it would be easy, but bad weather really put a spanner in the works.