work the oracle

Definitions

1. 1

   To fabricate a suspect's verbal statement.

   • 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.”
2. 2

   To manipulate circumstances to one's personal advantage.

   • 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.

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