throw a wrench in the gears: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKCanadaAustraliageneralinformalcolloquial
  • To interfere with or disrupt the functioning of a system, plan, or operation, causing it to slow down, malfunction, or fail.
  • To introduce an obstacle or complication that impedes progress.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The hacker threw a wrench in the gears of the company’s security system, leading to a data breach.

    El hacker sabotéo el sistema de seguridad de la empresa, causando una brecha de datos.

  • When the supplier failed to deliver on time, it threw a wrench in the gears of the entire manufacturing process.

    Cuando el proveedor no entregó a tiempo, esto interrumpió todo el proceso de fabricación.

  • The sudden resignation of the lead engineer threw a wrench in the gears of the development team.

    La renuncia repentina del ingeniero principal interrumpió el trabajo del equipo de desarrollo.