constrain vs throw a spanner in the works

constrain

verb
  • To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige. 

  • To keep within close bounds; to confine. 

  • To reduce a result in response to limited resources. 

throw a spanner in the works

verb
  • To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome. 

How often have the words constrain and throw a spanner in the works occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )