well-oiled

[ wel-oild ]

adjective

1. operating with efficiency:

   a well-oiled department.

2. Slang. drunk.

well-oiled

adjective

1. informal.
   well oiled when postpositive drunk

Word History and Origins

Origin of well-oiled¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Far from a well-oiled machine, the kitchen is a zone of dysfunction rife with petty squabbles and minor fiefdoms; it feels like a minor miracle that anything gets served to anyone at all.

From Los Angeles Times

They have the tastes of children and teens — escaping into the night with bags of chips and candy instead of wads of cash, drugs or weapons — and work with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.

From Los Angeles Times

The enterprise was running like a well-oiled machine — until one day, a man presented with a rare blood clotting disorder that would cost the company $1 million a year to treat.

From Salon

They were a well-oiled machine.

From Salon

When you have a well-oiled machine, a bunch of funny people, it's easy.

From Salon