the squeaky wheel gets the oil

A form of the squeaky wheel gets the grease — The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which they seek.

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Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Cite this entry
APA

the squeaky wheel gets the oil. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20squeaky%20wheel%20gets%20the%20oil

MLA

“the squeaky wheel gets the oil.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20squeaky%20wheel%20gets%20the%20oil. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “the squeaky wheel gets the oil,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20squeaky%20wheel%20gets%20the%20oil.

Source: the squeaky wheel gets the oil on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.