grease the wheels
idiom
: to improve an essential or functioning part of an organization, process, etc.
They hoped that the tax cuts would grease the wheels of the economy.
Examples of grease the wheels in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Texas politics experts told the Statesman that no speaker did more to grease the wheels for Patrick, shifting away from the House’s traditional role as a foil to the Senate.
—
Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
In fact, Trump attempted to untangle Fannie and Freddie from US government control in 2019 during his first administration and failed.
Fannie and Freddie essentially grease the wheels of America’s home lending market by buying mortgages from lenders and repackaging them for investors.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
The high court decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors may grease the wheels for court approval of similar laws already enacted in two dozen other states.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 June 2025
De Koninck said even though most of the officials detained in the past few weeks aren’t facing charges — only McIver — their detentions could grease the wheels toward making prosecuting political opponents easier, testing the legal system for what the courts will allow.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grease the wheels
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
In fact, Trump attempted to untangle Fannie and Freddie from US government control in 2019 during his first administration and failed.
Fannie and Freddie essentially grease the wheels of America’s home lending market by buying mortgages from lenders and repackaging them for investors.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
The high court decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors may grease the wheels for court approval of similar laws already enacted in two dozen other states.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 June 2025
De Koninck said even though most of the officials detained in the past few weeks aren’t facing charges — only McIver — their detentions could grease the wheels toward making prosecuting political opponents easier, testing the legal system for what the courts will allow.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grease the wheels
Cite this Entry
“Grease the wheels.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grease%20the%20wheels. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share