squeaky wheel

English - English

Definition of squeaky wheel in English English dictionary

Of several problems, the most apparent or the most urgent

And it is pretty hard to get government, as you know, ahead of the curve. We always respond to the squeaky wheel when things get bad, but you know, clearly there is food for thought in the observation of where we are in our commodity industries.

A complainer; one who speaks out when there are problems. Often used pejoratively

When I went to those who we needed to get the resources from, I got the title of being the squeaky wheel. Everyone is not going to be a squeaky wheel, but I believe that if we want something and are persistent enough, we will get it.

Related Terms

squeaky wheel gets the grease

The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks

You know perfectly well that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and that if you don't complain nothing ever changes.

Hyphenation

squea·ky wheel

Turkish pronunciation

skwiki hwil

Synonyms

spokesperson, troublemaker, whiner

Pronunciation

/ˈskwēkē ˈhwēl/ /ˈskwiːkiː ˈhwiːl/

Etymology

() From the proverb "the squeaky wheel gets the grease".