monkey-wrench
[ muhng-kee-rench ]
/ ˈmʌŋ kiˌrɛntʃ /
verb (used with object)
to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately: The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.
verb (used without object)
to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism.
OTHER WORDS FROM monkey-wrench
mon·key-wrench·er, nounWords nearby monkey-wrench
monkey tricks,
monkey wrench,
monkey's fist,
monkey's wedding,
monkey-faced owl,
monkey-wrench,
monkeygland sauce,
monkeypod,
monkeypot,
monkeyshine,
monkfish
Definition for monkey-wrench (2 of 2)
monkey wrench
noun
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
First recorded in 1855–60
Example sentences from the Web for monkey-wrench
British Dictionary definitions for monkey-wrench
monkey wrench
noun
a wrench with adjustable jaws