A phrase for a small role in a much larger project?












1















I'm writing a thank you letter for a professor whose lab I am working in and I play a fairly small role. Although I have a very tiny part, for me the lab is a huge part of my life.



Is there an English saying that describes a small part of the whole? Like a tiny screw in the machine or a walk-on in a play? I was going to go something like "a small keg in the brewery" but I don't know if that makes much sense.



Thanks so much!










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    I'm writing a thank you letter for a professor whose lab I am working in and I play a fairly small role. Although I have a very tiny part, for me the lab is a huge part of my life.



    Is there an English saying that describes a small part of the whole? Like a tiny screw in the machine or a walk-on in a play? I was going to go something like "a small keg in the brewery" but I don't know if that makes much sense.



    Thanks so much!










    share|improve this question







    New contributor




    Dennis Gomez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      1












      1








      1








      I'm writing a thank you letter for a professor whose lab I am working in and I play a fairly small role. Although I have a very tiny part, for me the lab is a huge part of my life.



      Is there an English saying that describes a small part of the whole? Like a tiny screw in the machine or a walk-on in a play? I was going to go something like "a small keg in the brewery" but I don't know if that makes much sense.



      Thanks so much!










      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Dennis Gomez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      I'm writing a thank you letter for a professor whose lab I am working in and I play a fairly small role. Although I have a very tiny part, for me the lab is a huge part of my life.



      Is there an English saying that describes a small part of the whole? Like a tiny screw in the machine or a walk-on in a play? I was going to go something like "a small keg in the brewery" but I don't know if that makes much sense.



      Thanks so much!







      phrase-requests






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      Dennis Gomez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











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      Dennis Gomez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









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      asked 9 hours ago









      Dennis GomezDennis Gomez

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      New contributor





      Dennis Gomez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      Dennis Gomez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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          You might use "a small cog in a big wheel" but I'm not sure that's exactly what you're aiming for.






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          • That's perfect, thank you!

            – Dennis Gomez
            9 hours ago











          • Or "a small fish in a big pond".

            – WS2
            9 hours ago











          Your Answer








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          1 Answer
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          1 Answer
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          active

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          active

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          4














          You might use "a small cog in a big wheel" but I'm not sure that's exactly what you're aiming for.






          share|improve this answer
























          • That's perfect, thank you!

            – Dennis Gomez
            9 hours ago











          • Or "a small fish in a big pond".

            – WS2
            9 hours ago
















          4














          You might use "a small cog in a big wheel" but I'm not sure that's exactly what you're aiming for.






          share|improve this answer
























          • That's perfect, thank you!

            – Dennis Gomez
            9 hours ago











          • Or "a small fish in a big pond".

            – WS2
            9 hours ago














          4












          4








          4







          You might use "a small cog in a big wheel" but I'm not sure that's exactly what you're aiming for.






          share|improve this answer













          You might use "a small cog in a big wheel" but I'm not sure that's exactly what you're aiming for.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 9 hours ago









          KillingTimeKillingTime

          950614




          950614













          • That's perfect, thank you!

            – Dennis Gomez
            9 hours ago











          • Or "a small fish in a big pond".

            – WS2
            9 hours ago



















          • That's perfect, thank you!

            – Dennis Gomez
            9 hours ago











          • Or "a small fish in a big pond".

            – WS2
            9 hours ago

















          That's perfect, thank you!

          – Dennis Gomez
          9 hours ago





          That's perfect, thank you!

          – Dennis Gomez
          9 hours ago













          Or "a small fish in a big pond".

          – WS2
          9 hours ago





          Or "a small fish in a big pond".

          – WS2
          9 hours ago










          Dennis Gomez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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          Dennis Gomez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













          Dennis Gomez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












          Dennis Gomez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















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