When it comes to keeping things running smoothly, sometimes we need a little help. That's where the phrase "oiling the works" comes into play. It refers to doing something to make a situation or process run more smoothly. However, there are many other synonyms for this phrase. For example, we could say "greasing the wheels," "lubricating the gears," "smoothing the way," or "facilitating progress." Essentially, any phrase that suggests improving the efficiency of something could be used in place of "oiling the works." So the next time you need to make something work better, try using a different phrase to keep it fresh!