oil the wheels

oil the wheels

To facilitate, expedite, ease, or aid something or some process; to make or help things run more smoothly or more easily. Primarily heard in UK. Hopefully this shift in public opinion will help oil the wheels of immigration reform. The clients have been reluctant to sign on for another year, so we're offering a cash incentive to help oil the wheels.
See also: oil, wheel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

oil the wheels

BRITISH or

grease the wheels

mainly AMERICAN
If someone or something oils the wheels or greases the wheels of a process or system, they help things to happen successfully and without problems. The Bank of Amsterdam, a government bank owned by the city, had been established specifically to help oil the wheels of commerce. This effectively oils the wheels of diplomacy. Credit cards greased the wheels of the consumer boom by allowing us to buy what we want, when we want.
See also: oil, wheel
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

oil the ˈwheels

(British English) (American English grease the ˈwheels) help something to happen easily and without problems, especially in business or politics: He doesn’t worry about bureaucratic procedures because he knows just where to oil the wheels.
See also: oil, wheel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • grease the wheels
  • chip
  • chips
  • up on (one's) ear
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • mutton
  • dead as mutton
  • grease payment
  • payment
References in periodicals archive
HERE'S lawyer Mandeep Dhariwal, who helped oil the wheels of investment scams amounting to PS9.5million.
The Microloan Fund is one of a seven-strong suite of funds that make up the PS142.5m Finance for Business North East (FFBNE) programme, which was launched in 2010 by North East Finance to boost business growth, create jobs and oil the wheels of the local economy.
Once oil production falls further, there will be even less capital available to oil the wheels of economic diversification.
"France will call for a conference, to be held in Paris, to oil the wheels of democratic paths in Lebanon and to discuss means to back the Lebanese economy," Mikati said.
"Harnessing the expertise of the LEP, we have taken a forensic look at what type of support is needed to oil the wheels of enterprise in this city."
His job is repetitive and he needs alcohol to oil the wheels. His pleasure in Rita's uniqueness is tempered by seeing her shoehorned into an academic mould to pass exams.
"From this position they were able to help us navigate the regulations and oil the wheels that often make filming so difficult."
"But alcoholic beverages were also used to oil the wheels of business and pleasure in much the same way as today.
NECC director of policy, Ross Smith, said: "This is an understandable decision to oil the wheels of the financial system in light of the continuing turmoil in the Eurozone.
Banks are vital to the economy, to oil the wheels of commerce and create jobs.
While it is said that money makes the world go round, today you may need to oil the wheels of your financial thinking so they don't get snarled up.
According to People's magazine, Fabregas is keen to leave Arsenal on good terms after eight years in north London and hopes his gesture will oil the wheels on a move back to his boyhood club.
From back Page keen to leave Arsenal on good terms after eight years in north London and hopes his gesture will oil the wheels on a move back to his boyhood club.
It also clamps down on so-called "facilitation payments" - often used to oil the wheels of business by speeding up services such as visa applications - and "disporportionate" hospitality.