cog in the wheel

Idioms  

1. 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.

---

Example Sentences

“The worst cog in the wheel has always been CEQA,” Rand said.

From Los Angeles Times

Djaoui Cisse was a key cog in the wheel of a France side that reached the semi-finals at this year's championships.

From BBC

David Mason, defending Gumrukguoglu, agreed "there were people higher up" but accepted his client had been an "important cog in the wheel".

From BBC

"I think about it as a cog in the wheel -- there are going to be other drugs that support other aspects of Parkinson's. Taking multiple drugs is never fun, but it's a complex condition and there can only be complex solutions," she said.

From Science Daily

Most believe Reaves is the third cog in the wheel.

From Los Angeles Times