squeaky wheel

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word squeaky wheel. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word squeaky wheel, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say squeaky wheel in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word squeaky wheel you have here. The definition of the word squeaky wheel will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofsqueaky wheel, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From the proverb "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"/oil.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

squeaky wheel (plural squeaky wheels)

  1. A complainer; one who speaks out when there are problems (often pejorative).
    • 1997, Lauch Faircloth, editor, Hud Rebuilding and Loan Guaranty Program:
      When I went to those who we needed to get the resources from, I got the title of being the squeaky wheel. Everyone is not going to be a squeaky wheel, but I believe that if we want something and are persistent enough, we will get it...
  2. Of several problems, the most apparent or the most urgent.
    • 1999, State of the Petroleum Industry; Hearing the Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, U.S. Senate:
      And it is pretty hard to get government, as you know, ahead of the curve. We always respond to the squeaky wheel when things get bad, but you know, clearly there is food for thought in the observation of where we are in our commodity industries.

Synonyms

Translations