Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

work the oracle

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.70 in modern English

Syllables: work the o-r-a-cle
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To fabricate a suspect's verbal statement.

British usage; Slang

verb

To manipulate circumstances to one's personal advantage.

Dated; Informal

Example Sentences

"Holdaway reports that procedural rules are often considered irrelevant by the British police as they go about their daily duties. The occupational culture of the British police condones the use of “verbals” or “working the oracle.”"
"You've thought there were some high souls that didn't do it—that wouldn't, I mean, to work the oracle, lift a little finger of their own. But, Lord bless you, give them a chance—you'll find some of the greatest the greediest."
""You must work the oracle." said Lettice smiling at him. / And John Valentine did work the oracle to such good purpose that when, two days later, the brother and sister went to London for ten days, John Valentine went with them."
"It is his glowing eye and ingenuous smile that works the oracle, I fancy."
"O' course we worked the oricle; you bet! / But, 'Struth, I ain't recovered frum it yet!"

Usage

Inflected Forms

works the oracle (present, singular) working the oracle (participle, present) worked the oracle (participle, past) worked the oracle (past)

Questions

What does work the oracle mean?: To fabricate a suspect's verbal statement.

How to pronounce work the oracle

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