grease the wheels
Smooth the process
To grease the wheels is to make a process run more smoothly, typically by removing obstacles or providing incentives.
The phrase evokes machinery that operates better when lubricated.
In practice, it often implies using money, favors, or connections to expedite something: A few well-placed donations helped grease the wheels for the zoning approval.
The expression can suggest legitimate facilitation or hint at bribery, depending on context.
- expediteSpeed up a process
- facilitateMake something easier
- lubricateApply oil to reduce friction
- pave the wayPrepare conditions for advancement
- unclogRemove an obstruction
ease · incentivize · aid · pull strings · smooth · simplify · negotiate · quicken · persuade · unblock · placate · unbar · palm · under the table · sweetener · unjam · influence · slick
grease the wheelsthrow a wrench in the works
Sabotage a functioning system
obstruct · gum up the works · impede · hinder · block
grease the wheelscomplicate
Make more difficult
muddy the waters · bureaucratize · make a mess of · convolute · tangle
grease, wheel, greased, greases, greasing, greasy, greasiness, wheels, wheeled