Crossword Genius

Throw a spanner in the works when expert embraces a web automation (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sabotage

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'throw a spanner in the works' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'expert embraces a web automation' is the wordplay.
'expert' becomes 'sage'.
'embraces' is an insertion indicator.
'web automation' becomes 'bot' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'bot'='abot'
'sage' placed around 'abot' is 'SABOTAGE'.

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sabotage that I've seen before include "Deliberate wrecking" , "Subvert" , "cripple" , "Got a base (anag.)" , "(E.g. factory) wrecking" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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