Spanner
noun
A tool with a shaped opening or system of openings which fit onto a nut or bolt.
He used a spanner to tighten the bolts on the machine.
Often appears as...
- adjustable spanner
- box spanner
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A thing that causes difficulty or prevents something from happening.
Her sudden arrival threw a spanner in our plans.
Often appears as...
- throw a spanner in the works
- spanner in the plans
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
noun
A tool with a shaped opening or system of openings which fit onto a nut or bolt.
He used a spanner to tighten the bolts on the machine.
Often appears as...
- adjustable spanner
- box spanner
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A thing that causes difficulty or prevents something from happening.
Her sudden arrival threw a spanner in our plans.
Often appears as...
- throw a spanner in the works
- spanner in the plans
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Types of Spanners
There are various types of spanners like adjustable, socket, and torque, each with a specific use.
Ensure you're using the correct type of spanner for the job.
Pro Tip 2/3Mechanical Context
The term 'spanner' is often associated with mechanical or engineering tasks involving nuts and bolts.
Can you pass me the spanner? I need to adjust this machinery.
Pro Tip 3/3Not a Screwdriver
'Spanner' is sometimes confused with 'screwdriver', but they serve different purposes.
You can't use a screwdriver, you need a spanner to tighten that.
Pro Tip 1/3Types of Spanners
There are various types of spanners like adjustable, socket, and torque, each with a specific use.
Ensure you're using the correct type of spanner for the job.
Pro Tip 2/3Mechanical Context
The term 'spanner' is often associated with mechanical or engineering tasks involving nuts and bolts.
Can you pass me the spanner? I need to adjust this machinery.
Pro Tip 3/3Not a Screwdriver
'Spanner' is sometimes confused with 'screwdriver', but they serve different purposes.
You can't use a screwdriver, you need a spanner to tighten that.
Pro Tip 1/3Types of Spanners
There are various types of spanners like adjustable, socket, and torque, each with a specific use.
Ensure you're using the correct type of spanner for the job.
Pro Tip 2/3Mechanical Context
The term 'spanner' is often associated with mechanical or engineering tasks involving nuts and bolts.
Can you pass me the spanner? I need to adjust this machinery.
Pro Tip 3/3Not a Screwdriver
'Spanner' is sometimes confused with 'screwdriver', but they serve different purposes.
You can't use a screwdriver, you need a spanner to tighten that.
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 340 PIPE...
and the olololo's are definitely really not too far away with isabra i'm afraid so that puts a little bit of a spanner in the works but we're still trying do not worry and of course lion prides do have home ranges and within the range
Video examples
Three ideas. Three...
I just couldn't work it out, I could not understand it. That is, until I could. Now, before I explain to you why it is that I can be good at something I'm so bad at, let me throw another spanner of contradiction into the work
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 340 PIPE...
and the olololo's are definitely really not too far away with isabra i'm afraid so that puts a little bit of a spanner in the works but we're still trying do not worry and of course lion prides do have home ranges and within the range
Video examples
Three ideas. Three...
I just couldn't work it out, I could not understand it. That is, until I could. Now, before I explain to you why it is that I can be good at something I'm so bad at, let me throw another spanner of contradiction into the work
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Stacey D'Erasmo
American Novelist
While 'A Blessed Child' might have been a more tough-minded book had Ullmann thrown a spanner into the works, it's not hard to understand her decision to keep things going.
Quote examples
Guy Martin
British Celebrity
I'm not a materialistic person at all, but I always want the next thing; I've got a nice toolbox, but I still want another set of spanners.
Quote examples
Guy Martin
British Celebrity
My idea of splashing out would be buying a new spanner. I've got about 300 - you can't have too many in my opinion.
Quote examples
Stacey D'Erasmo
American Novelist
While 'A Blessed Child' might have been a more tough-minded book had Ullmann thrown a spanner into the works, it's not hard to understand her decision to keep things going.
Quote examples
Guy Martin
British Celebrity
I'm not a materialistic person at all, but I always want the next thing; I've got a nice toolbox, but I still want another set of spanners.
Quote examples
Guy Martin
British Celebrity
My idea of splashing out would be buying a new spanner. I've got about 300 - you can't have too many in my opinion.
Example 1 of 3
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