monkey wrench: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Intermediate (for tool meaning), Low-to-Intermediate (for metaphorical meaning)Informal for the metaphorical meaning. Neutral for the tool meaning.
Quick answer
What does “monkey wrench” mean?
A large, adjustable wrench/spanner with a movable jaw.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, adjustable wrench/spanner with a movable jaw.
An unexpected obstacle or disruption that throws plans into disarray.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The tool is more commonly called a 'Monkey Wrench' in North America. In British English, the general term 'adjustable spanner' is more common, though 'monkey wrench' is understood.
Connotations
The idiom 'throw a monkey wrench in/into the works' is common in AmE and understood in BrE, but 'throw a spanner in the works' is the standard BrE equivalent idiom.
Frequency
Metaphorical use is higher frequency in AmE; the literal tool term is lower frequency in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “monkey wrench” in a Sentence
[Someone] threw a monkey wrench into [something/plans/proceedings]A [noun phrase] acted as a monkey wrenchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monkey wrench” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The union's action could monkey-wrench the entire negotiation process.
American English
- The sudden storm monkey-wrenched our weekend camping trip.
adjective
British English
- He had a monkey-wrench effect on the committee's progress.
American English
- It was a real monkey-wrench situation nobody anticipated.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to discuss unexpected disruptions to projects or deals.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or technical discussions of tools.
Everyday
Used literally for DIY/repairs, and metaphorically for plans gone awry.
Technical
Refers to a specific type of adjustable wrench.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monkey wrench”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monkey wrench”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monkey wrench”
- Using 'monkey wrench' to refer to all wrenches (it's a specific type).
- Saying 'throw a monkey wrench in the machine' instead of the idiomatic '...in the works'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different. A monkey wrench has smooth, parallel jaws for gripping nuts and bolts. A pipe wrench has serrated jaws that tighten under pressure, designed for gripping pipes.
Yes, informally, especially in North America. It means to sabotage or disrupt something, e.g., 'to monkey-wrench a plan'.
Etymology is uncertain, but a leading theory is that it's named after its inventor, London blacksmith Charles Moncke (or a similar name), with 'Moncke' later becoming 'monkey'.
They are largely synonymous in modern American English, both meaning to cause a disruption. 'Monkey wrench' is the older, more specific form, while 'wrench' is a common modern shortening.
A large, adjustable wrench/spanner with a movable jaw.
Monkey wrench is usually informal for the metaphorical meaning. neutral for the tool meaning. in register.
Monkey wrench: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki rentʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki rɛntʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “throw a monkey wrench in the works”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a monkey mischievously grabbing a large wrench and throwing it into the delicate gears of a machine, ruining everything. This links the tool to the idea of disruption.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE OBSTRUCTIONS IN MACHINERY. A smooth-running plan is a well-oiled machine; a disruption is a foreign object (a wrench) thrown into it.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, which phrase is the closest equivalent to the American idiom 'throw a monkey wrench in the works'?