Crossword Genius

Oil club I rate poorly (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lubricate

'oil' is the definition.
('lubricate' can be a synonym of 'oil')

'club i rate poorly' is the wordplay.
'poorly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'club'+'i'+'rate'='clubirate'
'clubirate' with letters rearranged gives 'LUBRICATE'.

(Other definitions for lubricate that I've seen before include "Apply oil or grease to" , "Oil (a mechanism)" , "Apply oil/grease" , "Bribe" , "supply with booze" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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