Encyclopedia

spanner

Also found in: Dictionary, Idioms.
(redirected from throw a spanner in the works)

spanner

a steel hand tool with a handle carrying jaws or a hole of particular shape designed to grip a nut or bolt head
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

spanner

[′span·ər]
(design engineering)
A wrench with a semicircular head having a projection or hole at one end.
(engineering)
A horizontal brace.
An artificial horizon attachment for a sextant.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

spanner, span piece

A horizontal cross brace or collar beam.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive
He said: "The reduction in corporation tax has been more than offset by capital gains, which could throw a spanner in the works in terms of our future planning."
Wales are the next nation in town in a fortnight and are looking to continue their grand slam glory bid but Parks believes therejuvenated Scots can throw a spanner in the works.
OLDBURY toolmaker Bob Reader tried to throw a spanner in the works at West Brom's AGM this week but only ended up with egg on his face and a turkey in the oven.
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