a cog in the works

USAGE SUMMARY

'a cog in the works' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that has the potential to cause disruption or complication, often in an unexpected way. For example: "The new policy was running smoothly until a cog in the works caused delays in implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In previous generations, organizations were viewed more like machines than like ecosystems: a company was a pretty clear hierarchy, with each person a cog in the works, acting and interacting in prescribed ways.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The focus on productivity and employability doesn't factor in time for taking care of yourself: you're a cog in the university system, being prepped for becoming a cog in the working world.

The Guardian

Can you be a cog in the system and a spanner in the works?

The Guardian

"Each actor works like a cog in the machine, complementing and adding value to one another".

Unicef

It changes by location as the HA works through localized chapters but broadly the Hells Angels work more like a cog in the black market weed machine than the primary benefactors.

Vice

No sharp division between work and leisure would exist, and a person would be seen as an individual and a human being also when he or she is working, instead of a cog in the wheel.

European Journal of Futures Research

They want to work as a team, not as a cog in the machine".

The New York Times

Leaders hold in-depth knowledge of how the engine of their company works, learning about each employee as more than a cog in the machine.

Forbes

Unfortunately, so many of us fall into the trap of working 9 to 5's and feeling like a cog in the machine.

Huffington Post

If you work in the fashion industry and are reading this ― you are not just a cog in the wheel.

Huffington Post

You're a cog in the machine.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cog in the works" when you want to evoke a sense of unexpected disruption or complication within a system or process. The image suggests something small can have a big impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a cog in the works" for problems that are already known or expected. The phrase is best reserved for instances where a seemingly minor element causes disproportionate issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cog in the works" functions as a noun phrase acting as a metaphorical representation of an element causing disruption or malfunction within a system or process. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cog in the works" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe something that unexpectedly disrupts or complicates a process. Ludwig confirms its validity. While grammatically sound, it is used relatively infrequently. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, signaling broad but infrequent applicability. Alternatives like "a glitch in the system" or "a wrench in the gears" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using the phrase effectively involves reserving it for truly unexpected disruptions to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wrench in the gears

Uses a similar mechanical metaphor, but implies a more forceful disruption.

a glitch in the system

Focuses on a minor malfunction rather than a deliberate obstruction.

an obstacle to progress

Highlights the hindering aspect but lacks the mechanical imagery.

a fly in the ointment

Emphasizes a small but irritating problem.

a setback in the plan

Indicates a delay or reversal, without specifying the cause.

a hindrance to the operation

Similar meaning, but more formal and less idiomatic.

a snag in the process

Highlights a minor difficulty or impediment.

an impediment to success

Emphasizes the negative impact on the final outcome.

something amiss in the arrangement

Suggests a problem that is not immediately obvious.

a complication in the procedure

More clinical and less evocative than the original.

FAQs

How can I use "a cog in the works" in a sentence?

You can use "a cog in the works" to describe something that disrupts a plan or process. For example, "The unexpected software bug was "a cog in the works", delaying the project by weeks."

What does it mean to be "a cog in the works"?

To be "a cog in the works" means to be something that is causing a problem or preventing something from working properly. It implies that something unexpected is disrupting a smooth process.

What can I say instead of "a cog in the works"?

You can use alternatives like "a glitch in the system", "a fly in the ointment", or "a wrench in the gears" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a cog in the machine" and "a cog in the works"?

While both use the "cog" metaphor, "a cog in the machine" typically refers to someone who is a small, insignificant part of a larger system. Whereas ""a cog in the works"" refers to something that disrupts the normal function of the system.