Engine of Expression Content . The Great Gear , a concept first put forth by Lord Sotha Sil and later expanded upon by his Clockwork Apostles , illustrates the idea that all of existence can be expressed as the workings of a finely tuned machine . The Great Gear represents nature ' s primal engine , the source of life and power and that makes Nirn thrive . It isn ' t a literal engine . The father of mysteries used the metaphorical idea of a primal engine to expound upon his teachings and philosophy . The apostles that learned from Lord Seht followed his example and built upon the metaphor to create a rich and expressive manner of speaking that sets them apart from other followers of the Tribunal . By employing a variety of metaphors that utilize the working of gears and pistons to express emotions , thoughts , and intentions , the apostles have developed a distinct dialect that draws upon their vocation and beliefs . Here are some of their more cherished idioms , along with the meaning for those not fluent in the movements of the Great Gear . " By the Great Gear ! " An exclamation of wonder and surprise , although it can also be used to proclaim shock or even horror in the appropriate circumstance . " Never in a million clicks of the Great Gear . " An idiom for emphasizing the impossibility of a given event or describing something that is unlikely to happen . " The gears just have to align in my favor . " An expression of hopeful intent , favorable conditions , or the desire for everything to come together in a positive way . " When the gear slips . " A phrase used to express something isn ' t quite right or a situation has become off kilter . " Clogging up the gears . " An expression that means something was spoiled , usually through blundering or stupidity . " Before three gears click into place . " A phrase used to hurry things along or to indicate that very little time has or will have passed . " Caught in the gears . " A statement of concern usually related to a difficult situation , a troublesome predicament , or a problem that doesn ' t have an easy solution . " May your gears spin freely . " A friendly farewell , wishing the recipient good wishes and continued success . " May your pistons never clog . " A phrase used to wish another person well as you send them on their way . " May the Great Gear always spin in your direction . " A way to wish good fortune upon a Clockwork Apostle or a close friend or associated not related to the order . " Tighten the cogs . " To shore up , reinforce , or make better . " The clockwork is only as strong as its weakest cog . " A phrase with a literal meaning , though the " weakest cog " also figuratively refers to a person or other flawed feature and not an actual cog . " The Great Gear " never pauses in its rotation . " A phrase that assures us that time passes and that world moves on , whether we want it to or not . " Spare a few more clicks of the Great Gear . " A request to give someone or something your attention for a time . " The Great Gear turns , so be quick , be quick . " Time passes , so don ' t dawdle . " Sometimes the Great Gear turns from frustration to opportunity . " Any of several similar sayings that indicate that situations can change from favorable to unfavorable , or vice versa , usually by the whims of fate . And that is the sequence of the words .