Palms | Grease One's

: The idiom relies on the metaphor of moving parts in a machine. Just as applying grease to a squeaky wheel or stiff engine part reduces friction and makes it move smoothly, giving money to an official makes a bureaucratic process move faster.

: To secretly give someone money to persuade them to do something for you. grease one's palms

(Usually refers to smoothing out a situation, sometimes without illegal bribery) Oil someone's palm Palm grease (Used as a noun to mean the actual bribe money) Pay a kickback or give a handout ⚠️ Tone and Connotation : The idiom relies on the metaphor of

"Files rarely move in that government office unless you of the clerks." grease one's palms