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Translate files Spanner
/ˈspænər/
Meaning & Definition
noun
A tool used for gripping, fastening, or turning a nut or bolt.
I grabbed a spanner to tighten the loose bolts on the car.
A wrench that has a specific shape for turning fasteners.
He used a large adjustable spanner to fix the plumbing issue.
In British informal usage, refers to a situation or thing that causes difficulty or frustration.
The unexpected changes to the schedule were a real spanner in the works.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from a variant of ‘span’ in the sense of ‘to span a bolt’.
Common Phrases and Expressions
spanner in the works
An unexpected problem or complication.
Related Words
wrench
A tool used for gripping and turning objects, usually similar to a spanner.
socket
A receptacle for a tool, often used in conjunction with a wrench.
Slang Meanings
A term used to describe a clumsy person.
Don't be such a spanner, you're making a mess of things!
Someone who causes disruption or trouble.
He was a real spanner at the meeting, bringing up unrelated issues.