Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Divorce, obviously, puts a spanner in the works — and two divorces means two spanners — but you’ve managed to come out of those marriages financially intact.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 9, 2025

Biker jackets were paired with skirts bearing cutouts, shimmering silver jackets were cropped and had large shoulders, while prints on colourful dresses depicted spanners and bolts.

From Reuters • Sep. 23, 2022

"But physics has a habit of throwing up spanners in the works."

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2021

But before long, Smith throws spanners in the works.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2019

She fell on her knees, threw open the bag, and tumbled out some spanners and a screwdriver that filled the top part of it.

From "1984" by George Orwell