SINCE 1828
a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil
idiomDefinition of a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil
—used to say that someone who complains or causes problems is more likely to receive attention or help than someone who stays quiet and does not cause problems
Comments on a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil
What made you want to look up a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Word Puzzles
-
- Which answer pairs best with each of the following words? living, estate, club, music, road, mile
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Word Puzzles
Challenge yourself with these word puzzles. Can you solve them all?
Take the quiz -
Where in the World? A Quiz
Do you know what languages these words come from?
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
Syn City
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
Share a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil
Resources for a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil