Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see well, oiled.
Used in a Sentence
well-oiled
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for well-oiled.
Editorial note
They already have a well-oiled surveillance machine, they do not want to make it harder to operate while legalizing it.
Examples14
Definitions3
Parts of speech1
Quick take
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see well, oiled.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of well-oiled gathered in one view.
(idiomatic) Well-run; smoothrunning; efficiently run.
(idiomatic) Drunk.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for well-oiled.
adjective
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see well, oiled.
adjective
(idiomatic) Well-run; smoothrunning; efficiently run.
adjective
(idiomatic) Drunk.
Example sentences
They already have a well-oiled surveillance machine, they do not want to make it harder to operate while legalizing it.
Most large companies with well-oiled legacy systems actually are not that bad to work with.
Actually they are distinguishable - many of my interactions with banks and insurance companies make the government look like a well-oiled machine.
Even today, as someone who takes the underground to work, a streaming service is no substitute for the incredibly well-oiled machine of fansubbing.
If American capitalism is a well-oiled machine, unsustainably cheap labor is its lubricant.
So naturally they are a well-oiled machine for producing one specific product.
It's now a well-oiled machine, but it's lost some of the spark and excitement of the first years I was there.
I don't really understand the people who imagine it's one great big well-oiled machine with everybody in agreement, on the same page of the same playbook.
They've developing a well-oiled machine for employing a more loyal workforce, at less cost -- and while the quality isn't as high as it could be, it's good enough to make their business model work.
The nationalist lingo about this will the their hope that it will become a reserve currency (what actual value it has to be used as a reserve currency in a well-oiled system is unclear - probably none).
On the other hand, LinkedIn can leverage the well-oiled content production pipeline that Lynda has mastered to create other material that the non-tech population would pay for and that will potentially pay back multiples of that $1.5B.
One thing we do know is that Apple leads the world in an extremely well-oiled production pipeline and network of suppliers that no doubt also helps keep their costs down and thus their profits high.
Quote examples
People say they don't want to just be a "cog in a wheel", but I see nothing wrong with being a cog in well-oiled, efficient machine.
A quiet tragedy of the legal system is that these rampant daily violations are almost never litigated." The broader point he is making is that the criminal justice system is only able to grind through tens of thousands of lives each day becuase those involved in it--and that includes lawyers and judges--are commited to keeping that system well-oiled and functioning.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use well-oiled in a sentence?
They already have a well-oiled surveillance machine, they do not want to make it harder to operate while legalizing it.
What does well-oiled mean?
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see well, oiled.
What part of speech is well-oiled?
well-oiled is commonly used as adjective.