noun, verb (gerund/present participle)
lubrificação, engraduragem, suborno
1. The act of applying grease or lubricating oil to machinery or surfaces
Regular greasing of the door hinges prevents squeaking.
A lubrificação regular das dobradiças da porta evita rangidos.
2. The process of coating food with grease or oil
Greasing the baking pan before adding the batter is essential.
Engradurejar a assadeira antes de adicionar a massa é essencial.
3. Informal: the act of bribing or paying someone illicitly for favors
The politician was accused of greasing palms to secure the contract.
O político foi acusado de suborno para garantir o contrato.
In Brazilian Portuguese business and informal contexts, 'greasing' in the sense of bribery (suborno) is understood but often discussed critically. The mechanical sense (lubrificação) is standard technical terminology. In American English, 'greasing the wheels' is a common metaphor for facilitating processes, sometimes with ethically questionable means.
NYC Slang
greasing palms (bribery), greasing someone (paying off)
Related Idioms & Phrases
greasing the wheels (facilitating a process through bribery or smoothing difficulties)
greasing someone's palm (bribing someone)
elbow grease (hard work and effort)
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