oil
Petroleum-based fuel or lubricant
A thick liquid from under the ground that is used for fuel or to make products.
[something] contains oil
- The country’s economy depends heavily on oil exports.
- Crude oil prices have risen sharply this year.
- The mechanic checked the oil in the engine.
- An oil spill damaged the coastline.
- They are drilling for oil in the desert.
- The car needs more oil.
- Oil is used to make fuel.
- Many countries sell oil to other countries.
- There was an oil spill in the sea.
Cooking fat from plants or animals
A liquid fat from plants or animals used to cook food.
fry [something] in oil
- She poured olive oil into the pan.
- Vegetable oil is healthier for frying than some animal fats.
- The salad was dressed with sesame oil.
- Heat the oil before adding the onions.
- We ran out of cooking oil.
- I put oil in the pan.
- We use olive oil for salad.
- Please buy some cooking oil.
- She fried the fish in oil.
To apply oil for lubrication or protection
To put oil on something so it moves easily or does not rust.
oil [something]
- You should oil the door hinges to stop them squeaking.
- The mechanic oiled the engine parts before reassembly.
- Remember to oil your bike chain regularly.
- He oiled the gears to ensure smooth operation.
- I need to oil my bike chain.
- He oiled the door so it opened quietly.
- We must oil the machine every week.
- Please oil the hinges.
General liquid fat or similar substance
A thick liquid from plants, animals, or minerals that does not mix with water.
- Lavender essential oil is popular in aromatherapy.
- Mineral oil is often used in cosmetics.
- Fish oil supplements are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- I like the smell of this flower oil.
- Mineral oil can be used on wood.
- Fish oil is good for health.
- Base: oil
- Plural: oils
- Base: oil
- 3rd Person Singular: oils
- Present Participle: oiling
- Past: oiled
oil the wheels
1Make something run more smoothly
To make something easier to do by helping or removing problems.
- Good communication will help to oil the wheels of any project.
- Extra funding could really oil the wheels of our research program.
pour oil on troubled waters
1Calm a tense situation
To try to make people stop arguing or feeling angry.
- She tried to pour oil on troubled waters by changing the subject.
- His kind words poured oil on troubled waters during the meeting.
strike oil
1Find something valuable unexpectedly
To suddenly find something that makes you rich or successful.
- They really struck oil with their new app idea.
- The prospector struck oil after months of drilling.
well-oiled machine
1Smoothly running system or group
A group or process that works very well and without problems.
- The event was organized like a well-oiled machine.
- The event ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to good planning.
- Our team works together like a well-oiled machine.
- Our team is now a well-oiled machine after months of practice.
burn the midnight oil
1Work late into the night
To work late at night, usually studying or working on something important.
- She’s been burning the midnight oil preparing for her exams.
- She burned the midnight oil to finish her thesis.
- He had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report.
- We had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
- They've been burning the midnight oil preparing for the big presentation.
- She burned the midnight oil studying for her exams.
burn the midnight oil
2work or study very late
To work or study until very late at night, especially past midnight.
- She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her thesis.
- We’ve been burning the midnight oil all week to meet the deadline.