it's not a good idea to use olive oil to lubricate the gears in an appliance
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By just expressing interest in the discussion, nodding their heads, vocalizing, saying 'tell me more,' making eye contact — that lubricates the wheels of communication.—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025 The framers conceived a system with checks and balances, but historically it has been lubricated by personal relationships, favors, horse trading and socializing.—Peter Baker, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Butter also lubricates your mouth, which tends to compliment the dish’s natural astringency.—Rosemary Trout, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024 Wine has for centuries played an outsize role in Moldova’s relationship with Russia, both lubricating and at times poisoning ties between what, until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, were two parts of the same country.—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lubricate
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin lūbricātus, past participle of lūbricāre "to make slippery," derivative of lūbricus "slippery, hard to hold, liable to lead to false steps, hazardous" — more at sleeve
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