Everyday Office Jargon · Managing Director level

"Grease the wheels"

"Grease the wheels" means to smooth the way for something to happen, often by offering favors, incentives, or informal goodwill to the people involved.

Say this instead: smooth the way

How "Grease the wheels" shows up at work

Used as a genteel stand-in for a range of behaviors from buying someone lunch to arrangements that should probably not be in writing. The phrase earns its place because it lets speakers describe the process without being specific about the mechanism.

Buzzword

We may need to grease the wheels a bit before the procurement team approves the contract.

Plain English

We may need to do a few favors before the procurement team approves the contract.

Corporate Rank: Managing Director · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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