monkey-wrench
/'mʌɳkirentʃ/
Definition
- Noun:
- An adjustable wrench with one fixed jaw and one movable jaw: A hand tool used for turning nuts and bolts, where the size of the opening can be adjusted to fit different fastener sizes. This is the primary technical meaning.
- (Chiefly US, informal) An obstacle or impediment: Something that disrupts, hinders, or sabotages a process or plan. This is a figurative extension of the tool's function of jamming or gripping tightly.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Tool):
- The mechanic reached for his monkey-wrench to tighten the bolt.
- You'll need a monkey-wrench to adjust that fitting.
- Noun (Obstacle):
- The sudden budget cut threw a monkey-wrench into our project plans.
- His unexpected resignation was a real monkey-wrench for the team.
Advanced Usage
- "to throw a monkey-wrench into (something)": To cause a serious problem or disruption for a plan, system, or process. This is the most common idiomatic usage stemming from the figurative meaning.
- The new regulations could throw a monkey-wrench into the entire manufacturing schedule.
Variants and Related Words
- Monkey wrench (noun): The more common two-word spelling for the tool.
- Adjustable wrench (noun): A more general, formal term for the same type of tool.
- Wrench (noun): The general category of tools for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, or pipes.
Synonyms
- Tool sense: adjustable spanner (UK), crescent wrench (a specific brand name often used generically).
- Obstacle sense: hindrance, impediment, snag, complication, setback.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "To monkey-wrench" (verb, informal): To sabotage or deliberately disrupt. This verb form derives from the figurative noun.
- Activists attempted to monkey-wrench the logging operation.
- "A monkey in the works": A similar idiom meaning an unforeseen problem or malfunction.
Noun
-
adjustable wrench that has one fixed and one adjustable jaw
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