#idiom cog in the wheel cog in the life/society cog in the | English Exclusive ᴼᶠᶠⁱᶜⁱᵃˡ
#idiom cog in the wheel cog in the life/society cog in the machine
Meaning:
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.
Examples: Her goal in life was to be a cog in the society.
I decided to set up my own business because I was tired of just being a cog in a machine.
