A spanner in the works.
A "scalded cat" among the pigeons.
Call it what you will but veteran Matt Abood did just that in the 100m freestyle semi-finals at the Rio Olympic trials in Adelaide.
And he is not done with the spanners just yet.
At 29, Abood clocked his fastest time in three years (48.89) to be the second quickest qualifier ahead of Monday night's 100m final.
Only world titles silver medallist Cameron McEvoy was faster (48.09).
The young gun expected to upset the form guide - world junior champ Kyle Chalmers - was fourth quickest (49.06).
Dual world champion James Magnussen (49.21) was sixth fastest for the final.
A top two finish in the final within the qualifying time will earn an individual Rio 100m nod.
Relay spots will be picked on head coach Jacco Verhaeren's discretion.
Asked if he wanted to throw a spanner in the works in the final, Abood said: "Mate, I will be throwing spanners everywhere.
"I felt like I had something like that in the bag, it's just a matter of sorting through the bag and getting rid of the crap.
"There will be a few guys going out like scalded cats and other guys coming home just the same (in the final).
"I'll give it a whirl."
A veteran of four world titles from 2009, Abood has never made an Olympic team.
That may change at an age when most sprinters are contemplating hanging up the togs if he produces another spanner on Monday night.
Abood - a 2009 and 2011 national 50m champ - credited a switch to new Canberra coach Shannon Rollason for his second wind.
"I honestly believe we talk about cars more than we talk about swimming but the guy is a deadset magician," Abood said.
"He keeps it simple."
Surprise 2012 London silver medallist Magnussen appeared unfazed as he planned Olympic redemption.
Magnussen - back from shoulder surgery - admitted he would need to shave two seconds off his Sunday night time but claimed he was up for the challenge.
"I can really fire up for that final now," said Magnussen, who missed the 2015 world titles due to the shoulder reconstruction.
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