Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

monkey wrench

 noun
     
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monkey wrench [countable] especially American English
1TZ a tool that is used to hold or turn things of different widths [= adjustable spanner British English]
2

throw a monkey wrench in the works

American English informal to do something that will cause problems or spoil someone's plans [= throw/put a spanner in the works British English]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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