well-oiled
Americanadjective
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.
Amazon’s e-commerce business “remains a well-oiled machine” delivering consistent revenue growth and capturing global market share in a slow-growth retail environment, according to Horowitz.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 9, 2026
As for the prognosis for these companies, note that at each of these well-oiled machines, succession is considered mission critical.
From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025
He ran a well-oiled machine, with members of his inner circle performing specific roles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025
In Chicago, Boystown — with its mix of cocktail lounges, gay bars, nightclubs, parades and drag brunches — has become a well-oiled machine for queer culture in the city.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2025
We practiced at working together as smoothly as a well-oiled machine.
From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
