oil spot
n.— «The movement would immediately extend into Vento and the Liguria and gradually embrace the surrounding regions “like an oil spot,” either through disorganizing and flanking operations of the militarily less organized Red elements of those districts, or by direct armed action.» —“Army Reports Reds Plot to Take Italy” by Drew Pearson Washington Post Sept. 8, 1947. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)