Running Like a Well-Oiled Machine

If something is running like a well-oiled machine, it is working perfectly.

Machines usually work best when they are supplied with a lot of oil.  There is a lot less noise and the machines will work more efficiently.  So, a well-oiled machine is a metaphor for something that is working smoothly (very well).  The phrase is often used to talk about organizations and businesses.
Example:  This company is running like a well-oiled machine.
Example:  There is no way that could happen, this country is running like a well-oiled machine.

The word run is very old.  It has been used to describe machinery since the 1500s.  There is an old joke: “Is your refrigerator running?  Yes?  Well, you better go catch it.”   I am not entirely sure why we use run to talk about machinery.  Perhaps it is because you can see the parts in a machine move very quickly.

Does your school / company run like a well-oiled machine?

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