The phrase "little cog" refers to a small and seemingly insignificant part of a larger system or machine. It suggests that even though it may be small, it still plays a vital role in making everything work smoothly. Full definition
Point is enjoy your research, try to make a dent but if you do not, be content that we are little cogs in the knowledge wheel and success comes in many forms. (nextscientist.com)
Inevitably, if you have any hope of beating these levels, you must start thinking strategically, looking at the big dial and little cogs as a system. (educationnext.org)
Each level asks you to figure out the most efficient way to hit a series of target numbers etched into the dial face using little cogs turned to multiples of smaller numbers. (educationnext.org)