To Work Well
To Be Possible, To Be Effective
intransitive verb, godan verb
You know the kanji means profit. When you make it into a verb, though, it means to work well. If you think about it, when something works well it makes you a profit.
What works so well? Your special key (き) that can unlock anyone and anything's potential. Imagine putting it into a key slot in someone's back. Someone who's a good for nothing can't-do-anything is now an effective member of society! Go around using your key on other non-effective things and show them that anything is possible!
自由が利く
to be free to do something
気が利く
to be sensitive to others' needs, to be quick-witted
小回りが利く
to have a short turning radius, to be flexible
自転車のブレーキが利かない。
My bike's brakes don't work well.
今日は、うでの利くりょうり人にりょうりを作ってもらいました。
I had a skilled cook make food for me today.
コウイチは中々融通の利く男だ。
Koichi is a pretty flexible man.