Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

the squeaky wheel gets the grease

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.97 in modern English

Syllables: the squeaky wheel get-s the -grease
IPA

58

Scrabble Score

28

Letters

3

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which they seek.

Example Sentences

"I think it's true what they say about the squeaky wheel / Always getting the grease"
"You know perfectly well that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and that if you don't complain nothing ever changes."

Inflected Forms

the squeaky wheel gets the oil (alternative)

Phrases

squeaky wheel system squeaky wheel the nail that sticks out gets hammered down empty vessels make the most sound vocal minority faint heart never won fair lady nothing ventured, nothing gained

Frequently Paired Words

squeaky wheel the nail that sticks out gets hammered down empty vessels make the most sound vocal minority faint heart never won fair lady nothing ventured, nothing gained

Questions

What does the squeaky wheel gets the grease mean?: The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which they seek.

How to pronounce the squeaky wheel gets the grease

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”.
Repeat and practice — Say “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.