spanner

American  

[span-er] / ˈspæn ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that spans. span.

2. Also called spanner wrench.  a wrench having a curved head with a hook or pin at one end for engaging notches or holes in collars, certain kinds of nuts, etc.

3. Chiefly British.  a wrench, especially one with fixed jaws.

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spanner British  

/ ˈspænə /

noun

1. a steel hand tool with a handle carrying jaws or a hole of particular shape designed to grip a nut or bolt head

2. informal  a source of impediment or annoyance (esp in the phrase throw a spanner in the works )

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Etymology

Origin of spanner

First recorded in 1630–40; span ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

A spanner in the works could be if opposition parties agreed on a rival candidate but talks on this this week appeared to make little headway.

From Barron's

Divorce, obviously, puts a spanner in the works — and two divorces means two spanners — but you’ve managed to come out of those marriages financially intact.

From MarketWatch

In each case, a leader he sees as a natural, if problematic ally – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – has thrown a massive spanner in the wheels of White House peace-making.

From BBC

When England did safely gather, Australia were able to shove a spanner in the spokes of their usually powerful driving maul.

From BBC

But Glasner threw a spanner in the works, saying after the game that the club needed to keep Guehi if they were to have a successful season.

From BBC