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Region: General | Usage example: They greased the wheels with faster approvals.

Grease the wheels

Meaning

Make a process run more smoothly.

Usage

Used when lubricating bureaucracy.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Mechanical metaphor for reducing friction.

Used since industrial age.

Related Idioms

Wheels within wheels

A complex and secretive situation.

Elbow grease

Physical effort needed to make something clean or polished.

Spinning your wheels

Making effort without progress.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.