cog in the wheel

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Also, cog in the machine. One who holds a minor but necessary post in a large organization, as in Frank knew he was just a cog in the wheel of this giant corporation. This term alludes to the role of the mechanical cog, one of the teeth on a wheel or gear that, by engaging other teeth, transmits or receives motion. Used figuratively since about 1930, it sometimes is put as small cog in a large wheel, emphasizing a person's lack of importance.

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Words nearby cog in the wheel

cogeneration, cogent, Coggan, cogged, coggle, cog in the wheel, cogitable, cogitate, cogitation, cogitative, cogito, ergo sum

How to use cog in the wheel in a sentence

France 24 is providing live, round-the-clock coverage of both scenes as they progress.
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Sands was involved in a scandalous-for-the-time romance with the carpenter and there were rumors she was pregnant with his child.
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Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix.
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This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.
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Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal.
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Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
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Such throats are trying, are they not?In case one catches cold; Ah, yes!
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Never again would he sit behind that wheel rejoicing in the insolence of speed.
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He deposited it on the vacant seat, clambered up behind the wheel, and started.
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The commander-in-chief still kept him attached to the headquarter staff, and constantly employed him on special service.
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