oil up

oil up

To cover someone or something in oil, especially in preparation for some task or activity. A noun or pronoun can be used between "oil" and "up." That bike's been sitting in the shed for months, so make sure you oil up the chain before you take it out again. They oiled the muscly model up so that his pecs and biceps would shine nicely for the photo shoot.
See also: oil, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

oil up

v.
To coat something thoroughly with oil: The mechanic oiled up the engine. The therapist oiled my back up and worked out the knots in my muscles.
See also: oil, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • for (the) want of (something)
  • for want of something
  • lease (something) to (someone or something)
  • lease to
  • slick up
  • burn the midnight oil
  • burn the midnight oil, to
  • midnight
  • oil field trash
  • oil trash
References in periodicals archive
M2 EQUITYBITES-September 28, 2016-Union Jack Oil Ups Interest in Wressle 1 Discovery
He further stressed the necessity of developing an oil-free economy for getting free from oil ups and downs and the international pressures.
M2 EQUITYBITES-June 22, 2015-Union Jack Oil Ups Stake in UK Play