Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
well-oiled [wel-oild] ExamplesWord Origin adjective
- operating with efficiency: a well-oiled department.
- Slang. drunk.
Origin of well-oiled First recorded in 1730–40 Examples from the Web for well-oiled Contemporary Examples of well-oiled
It was such a well-oiled, fun, beautiful production machine.
Abby Haglage
December 15, 2014
So one is like a brand-new thing, and one is like a well-oiled machine.
Julian Casablancas Enters the Void: On the Strokes’ Friction, Why He Left NYC, and Starting Over
Marlow Stern
October 9, 2014
One step closer to turning the tide of the addiction taboo that operates like well-oiled spin machine.
Coming Out of the Addiction Closet
Abby Haglage
May 10, 2014
Great athletes are like well-oiled machines, and as such need regular maintenance to make sure they function at their best.
Why You Should Train Like an Athlete (Even If You Aren’t One)
DailyBurn
December 20, 2013
The American holiday shopping industry is a well-oiled machine with several interconnecting parts.
The Shutdown that Stole Christmas?
Daniel Gross
October 11, 2013
Historical Examples of well-oiled
Something like a well-oiled and lightly cooked piece of beef.
Harry Harrison
A key was turned in a well-oiled lock, and he was guided inside a building.
Sax Rohmer
The door of the room opened, turning on its well-oiled hinges.
Jules Verne
It is no exaggeration to say that everything went like a well-oiled machine.
The South Pole, Volumes 1 and 2
Roald Amundsen
A key and a well-oiled lock, and servants that knew everything.
David H. Keller
British Dictionary definitions for well-oiled well-oiled adjective
- (well oiled when postpositive) informal drunk