monkey wrench

¹

noun

1. especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.

2. something that interferes with functioning; obstacle.

   He threw a monkey wrench into our plans.

monkey-wrench

²

[muhng-kee-rench]

verb (used with object)

1. to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately.

   The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.

verb (used without object)

1. to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism.

monkey wrench

noun

1. a wrench with adjustable jaws

Other Word Forms

• monkey-wrencher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey wrench¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of monkey wrench²

First recorded in 1800–10