the squeaky wheel gets the oil

the squeaky wheel gets the oil

The person complaining or protesting the loudest or most frequently is the one who will receive the most attention from others. My sister makes a point of writing letters of complaint to businesses whenever she has an issue with their service, and nine times out of ten, she's rewarded with some kind of discount or gift. I guess it's true, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
See also: get, oil, squeaky, wheel

the squeaky wheel gets the ˈgrease/ˈoil

(American English) used to say that a person who complains or talks a lot gets most attention: In politics, the squeaky wheel gets the grease so it is vital for consumers to speak up and be heard. ♢ It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil, but what about the shy student?
See also: get, grease, oil, squeaky, wheel
References in periodicals archive ?
I understand the squeaky wheel gets the oil and we're a very squeaky wheel," Kovach says.
New PVA leaders
The fact that the Worcester Public Schools will be able to hire more teachers and school nurses for the next school year is a textbook example of how the squeaky wheel gets the oil at City Hall.
Education lobby gets the grease; Squeaky wheel spurs City Hall
It may be an old cliche, but it's still a good one: The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
What Lies Beneath
There is an old saying that the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Be a good consumer
It's well known that the squeaky wheel gets the oil at Worcester City Hall, and in the case of the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association and the Brown Square Crime Watch, they may end up getting a public hearing they are looking for.
Can neighborhood groups squeeze water out of CSX?
6 municipal election is a good example of how the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Finally - council will set tax rates before the election
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