greasing
Slicking with oil
Greasing is the act of applying grease or lubricant to something—machinery, baking pans, or moving parts: The mechanic was greasing the axle.
Figuratively, greasing can mean facilitating through bribery or favors: greasing palms, greasing the wheels of bureaucracy.
The word sometimes appears in contexts of making things run smoothly, literally or otherwise.
Slippery viscous fluid
- lubeFriction-reducing substance
- lubricantFriction-reducing substance
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- viscosityFluid's flow resistance
slippery · lubrication · synthetic · mineral · silicone · graphite · molybdenum · teflon
Awareness of one's position
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
- axleShaft for wheel rotation
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
- chassisStructural support base
fittings · mechanism · metal-to-metal · wear · assembly · cogs · crankshaft · camshaft
Shallow cooking vessel
- skilletShallow pan for frying
- bakingCooking with dry heat
- nonstickResists food adhesion
- butterSolid fat from cream
shortening · lard · spray · parchment · release · coating · brushing · flouring
Smooth or craftily adept
- oilyCovered in grease
- slitherySliding with smooth motion
- slipMinor error or misstep
- slideSmooth continuous movement
skid · glide · hydroplane · treacherous · hazardous · residue · film · spill
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- payolaBribes for airplay
backhander · baksheesh · sweetener · inducement · facilitation · payoff
Meant to stop trouble
- servicingPerforming routine maintenance
- upkeepOngoing preservation effort
- tune-upRoutine vehicle maintenance
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
inspection · reconditioning · mechanic · checkup · reliability · interval · schedule · workshop
oil
Slippery viscous fluid
- lubeFriction-reducing substance
- lubricantFriction-reducing substance
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
viscosity · slippery · lubrication · synthetic · mineral · silicone · graphite · molybdenum · teflon · hydrodynamic
bearings
Awareness of one's position
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
- axleShaft for wheel rotation
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
chassis · fittings · mechanism · metal-to-metal · wear · assembly · cogs · crankshaft · camshaft · joints
pan
Shallow cooking vessel
butter · shortening · lard · spray · parchment · release · coating · brushing · flouring · mold
slick
Smooth or craftily adept
slide · skid · glide · hydroplane · treacherous · hazardous · residue · film · spill · slickness
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
payola · backhander · baksheesh · sweetener · inducement · facilitation · payoff
preventive
Meant to stop trouble
- servicingPerforming routine maintenance
- upkeepOngoing preservation effort
- tune-upRoutine vehicle maintenance
overhaul · inspection · reconditioning · mechanic · checkup · reliability · interval · schedule · workshop · garage
- bakingbaking, bread baking, cake decorating, mixing, whisking
- dirtyingsoiling, dirtying, staining, smearing, smudging
- tool caresharpening, oiling, cleaning, lubrication, rust prevention
- lubricationlubricant, oiling, motor oil, engine oil, gear oil
- cooking techniquessear, simmering, boiling, frying, saute
- maintenancepreventive maintenance, maintenance schedule, scheduled maintenance, handyman, repair
greasingdegreasing
Removing oily substances
drying out · drying · cleaning · stripping · desiccating
greasingwhistleblowing
Exposing hidden wrongdoing internally
exposing · reporting · blocking · obstructing · hindering
- greasing the wheelsFacilitating through incentives
- greasing the skidsPreparing for easier progress
- palm greasingIllicit payment for favors