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# well-oiled

adjective (well-oiled; «a well-oiled machine»)

«well-oiled» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (slang, euphemism) drunk.
2. (literal) having plenty of oil, so it moves smoothly.
3. (idiom) «a well-oiled machine» = a group or system that works very smoothly.

### In the lessons

As slang, a jokey way to say someone drank a lot, in gossip and among adults in all English-speaking countries. The «machine» idiom is very common at work, school and in sport.

### Examples

- (gossip) By ten o'clock Uncle Dave was well-oiled.
- (chat) everyone at the wedding was well-oiled
- (sport) The team works like a well-oiled machine.
- (school) Our class play ran like a well-oiled machine.
- (literal) The bike chain is well-oiled and quiet.
- (science) Well-oiled parts have less friction.

### Note

Trap: «a well-oiled machine» is praise, not drunkenness. Literal in science (less friction). Drunk sense only for people.