Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cog-in-the-machine-wheel
idiom
/kɒɡ ɪn ðə məˈʃiːn wiːl/
Definition
A person or thing that plays a minor or subordinate role in a larger system or organization.
Examples
- In the corporate world, many employees feel like just a cog-in-the-machine-wheel, performing tasks without a sense of personal impact.
- While she appreciated her job, she often wondered if she was merely a cog-in-the-machine-wheel in the vast bureaucracy.
Meaning
This phrase refers to someone who is just one small part of a much bigger process or structure, often implying that their individual contribution is not very significant.
Synonyms
- part of the whole
- minor player
- insignificant role
- small fry
