perder aceite

1.
SpainLatin Americaneutral
- Literal: to leak oil; used of machines, engines, or containers that are releasing oil unintentionally.
2.
Spaininformalcolloquial
- Figurative: to begin to deteriorate or lose effectiveness gradually, especially by showing visible faults or signs of failure.

Examples:

ES: Le di unos pocos golpes y empezó a perder aceite, pensamos que no era seguro
EN: I... I gave it a few bangs and it started dripping oil -and we obviously thought that was not safe to have.
ES: Y entonces nosotros... el coche empezó a perder aceite.
EN: And then we... the car started leaking oil.
ES: Mira pensé que me lo había lavado todo... pero en diez minutos de bicicleta, empecé a perder aceite.
EN: Look, I... I thought I washed it out, but 10 minutes into soulcycle, I started leaking oil.