work the oracle

Verb

work the oracle (third-person singular simple present works the oracle, present participle working the oracle, simple past and past participle worked the oracle)

1. (UK, slang) 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.”2006, Thomas Barker, Police Ethics: Crisis in Law Enforcement, page 90
2. (dated, informal) 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.1901, Henry James, The Papers
   • "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.1906, John Strange Winter, A Simple Gentleman