The expression "throw monkey wrench into" means to disrupt, sabotage, or cause confusion in a situation. The tricky thing about this phrase is the spelling of "monkey wrench." In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki ˌrɛntʃ/. The word "monkey" is spelled as expected, but "wrench" is spelled with a "w" instead of a "r" as you might hear in the pronunciation. This strange spelling comes from the British-English pronunciation of "wrench," where the "r" sound is sometimes dropped completely.
The phrase "throw a monkey wrench into" is an idiomatic expression that refers to an action or event that disrupts or hinders progress, plans, or processes. It is derived from the idea of someone unexpectedly throwing a monkey wrench, or a mechanical tool used to adjust machinery, into the working parts of a machine, causing it to stop working effectively.
When someone "throws a monkey wrench into" a situation, they introduce an unexpected difficulty, complication, or obstacle that was not foreseen or anticipated. This figurative expression implies that the interruption or disruption caused by the action is sudden, significant, and often results in a temporary or prolonged halt to the planned activities or operations.
For instance, in a business context, if an employee unexpectedly quits, it can "throw a monkey wrench into" the company's workflow, as tasks may need to be reassigned or redistributed, leading to delays or inefficiencies. Similarly, a last-minute change in plans can "throw a monkey wrench into" a carefully organized event, requiring a quick adaptation or rearrangement of schedules and resources.
Overall, to "throw a monkey wrench into" something means to introduce an unforeseen problem or difficulty that brings about disruption, delay, or complications, thereby negatively affecting the smooth progression or completion of a specific task, plan, or process.