Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Marines at Khe Sanh were oiling their weapons in preparation for the worst.
From Time Magazine Archive
Later Harvey walked up to the engine, where Jawn and his fireman were oiling and polishing.
From The Short Line War by Merwin-Webster
The smoke was smoking, the pumps were pumping, the works were working, and all the oilers along the quay, like all well-behaved oilers, were oiling.
From A Dweller in Mesopotamia Being the Adventures of an Official Artist in the Garden of Eden by Donald Maxwell
Groups were discussing it, contestants were oiling up their machines and exploiting the merits of the others.
From Airship Andy or The Luck of a Brave Boy by Frank V. Webster
