In the following English idiom question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the phrase to put a spoke in the wheel.

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the idiom to put a spoke in the wheel, which is frequently tested in English vocabulary sections. The idiom does not literally refer to bicycle repair but rather to obstructing another person's work or progress. A solid understanding of such idioms helps exam candidates interpret passages correctly and express ideas more precisely in both speech and writing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The idiom is: to put a spoke in the wheel.

We are asked to choose the best paraphrase among the given options.

Options mix literal bicycle related meanings with figurative meanings.

The correct answer must reflect standard idiomatic English usage.

The context is general English and aptitude exams.

Concept / Approach:

The wheel image suggests forward movement or progress. A spoke is one of the rods connecting the centre of a wheel to its rim. If someone places an extra spoke or an object in the wheel, it can block movement and cause the wheel to stop or collapse. Figuratively, to put a spoke in the wheel means to create obstacles or interfere with someone's plans so that they cannot move forward smoothly. The correct option should therefore convey an idea of hindrance or obstruction rather than repair or speed.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the accepted figurative meaning: to obstruct, to interfere, or to hinder someone's progress or plan. Step 2: Examine option a: To repair a broken bicycle. This is a literal action and does not suggest hindrance. Step 3: Examine option b: To hinder someone's progress. This directly matches the known meaning of the idiom. Step 4: Examine option c: To trip a rider on purpose. While this could hinder a rider, it is too specific and refers to a physical act rather than a general metaphor for blocking plans. Step 5: Examine option d: To add an extra wheel for safety. This actually implies support, not obstruction. Step 6: Examine option e: To move faster than others. This suggests advantage and speed, opposite to obstruction. Step 7: Conclude that option b is the only choice that broadly and correctly expresses the idiom's standard use.

Verification / Alternative check:

Consider example sentences such as: Every time he tries to start a new project, someone in the office puts a spoke in the wheel or They put a spoke in her wheel by withholding important documents. In both examples, the idiom clearly refers to deliberate obstruction or interference with progress. This supports the interpretation given in option b.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option a (To repair a broken bicycle) describes maintenance and has nothing to do with blocking plans.

Option c (To trip a rider on purpose) is too narrow and literal, and not the way the idiom is used in normal English.

Option d (To add an extra wheel for safety) suggests helping, not hindering, and therefore contradicts the idiom's meaning.

Option e (To move faster than others) is about gaining speed and advantage, which is the opposite of causing delays.

Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes concentrate too much on the concrete image of a wheel and a spoke, leading them to think about bicycles and repair work. Idioms, however, must be interpreted based on established usage, not on literal images alone. Another pitfall is selecting an option that feels dramatic or unusual without checking whether it matches typical dictionary definitions. Learning idioms through example sentences and context rather than isolated word translation reduces these mistakes.

Final Answer:

The idiom to put a spoke in the wheel means to hinder someone's progress.