good oil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “good oil” mean?
Reliable or valuable information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Reliable or valuable information; insider knowledge or news.
Specifically accurate, useful information or advice, often not publicly known. Can imply authoritative or trustworthy guidance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Rare to virtually unknown in standard British or American English. Its use is strongly marked as Australasian. A British user might be understood in context but it would sound distinctly foreign.
Connotations
In its native region, it connotes trustworthiness and insider status. Outside Australasia, it may simply cause confusion or be seen as a quirky regionalism.
Frequency
Low frequency globally; high regional frequency in Australia and NZ in informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “good oil” in a Sentence
[Someone] gets/gives/has [someone] the good oil (on/about [something])Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally for market intelligence or confidential advice: 'Before the merger, we need to get the good oil on their financials.'
Academic
Very rare, would be considered overly colloquial.
Everyday
Common in Australasia for sharing useful news or tips: 'What's the good oil on the new cafe in town?'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “good oil”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “good oil”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good oil”
- Using it outside Australasian contexts without explanation. Treating it as a mass noun without 'the' (e.g., 'I got some good oil' is marginal; 'I got the good oil' is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not recommended as it is not part of the standard vernacular in those regions. It will likely confuse listeners unless they are familiar with Australasian English.
Almost always. The standard form is 'the good oil'. Omitting 'the' ('I heard some good oil') is non-standard and sounds awkward to native speakers of the dialect.
It originates from Australian slang, early-to-mid 20th century. It plays on 'oil' as a substance that makes machinery work smoothly, metaphorically extended to information that makes plans or understanding work smoothly.
Yes. British English might use 'the gen' or 'the lowdown'. American English might use 'the scoop' or 'the inside track'. All convey the idea of privileged or reliable information.
Reliable or valuable information.
Good oil is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Good oil: in British English it is pronounced /ɡʊd ɔɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡʊd ɔɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dinkum oil (synonym, even more Australasian)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a mechanic who knows the 'good oil' to make an engine purr. Similarly, having the 'good oil' means you have the right information to make a situation run smoothly.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A LUBRICANT (smoothly operating a situation). KNOWLEDGE IS A VALUABLE SUBSTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which region is the phrase 'the good oil' most commonly used and understood?