[transitive] to put oil onto or into sth, for example a machine, in order to protect it or make it work smoothly给…加润滑油 ●oil the ˈwheels (BrE) (NAmE grease the ˈwheels) to help sth to happen easily and without problems起促进作用◆oiling the wheels of international finance促进国际金融业的发展