English Idioms — Choose the correct meaning. Sentence: It was he who put a spoke in my wheel.

Introduction / Context:
“To put a spoke in someone’s wheel” is a traditional idiom meaning to obstruct or hinder a person’s progress. Imagine inserting a bar into a moving wheel to stop it turning—this captures the idea of interference rather than total destruction. The sentence attributes the obstruction to a specific person (“It was he …”).

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: put a spoke in my wheel.
• Intent: hinder progress, not necessarily ruin everything.
• We must choose the option that best reflects obstruction of execution.

Concept / Approach:
The sharpest paraphrase is “thwarted in the execution of the plan,” which indicates active interference. “Destroyed the plan” overstates the effect (total ruin), while “helped” is opposite in meaning. “Tried to cause an accident” misreads the wheel image literally.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Replace: “It was he who thwarted me in the execution of my plan.” This is idiomatic and preserves the intended, non-literal meaning of obstruction.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• tried to cause an accident: Literalizing the metaphor; wrong domain.
• helped in the execution of the plan: Opposite meaning.
• destroyed the plan: Too strong; obstruction does not always equal destruction.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming metaphors involving wheels or vehicles are about accidents. Here the focus is deliberate hindrance, not mishap.

Final Answer:
thwarted in the execution of the plan