Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

well-oiled

American  
[wel-oild] / ˈwɛlˈɔɪld /

adjective

  1. operating with efficiency.

    a well-oiled department.

  2. Slang. drunk.


well-oiled British  

adjective

  1. informal (well oiled when postpositive) drunk

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of well-oiled

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As for the prognosis for these companies, note that at each of these well-oiled machines, succession is considered mission critical.

From Barron's

“Fox is an incredibly well-oiled machine,” Klein said.

From Los Angeles Times

He ran a well-oiled machine, with members of his inner circle performing specific roles.

From The Wall Street Journal

My partner and my adult daughter worked together like a well-oiled machine during this trying time.

From MarketWatch

The hosts defended well but had to do so in numbers against a Kangaroos side that looked a well-oiled machine whenever they advanced with their attacking threat.

From BBC