noun
mediation; intercession; go-between
The main modern use: arranging an introduction, speaking on someone's behalf, or using one's connections to help something happen. In politics or business it can imply questionable influence or intervention.
知人の口利きで、面接の機会をもらった。
Through an acquaintance's help, I got a chance to interview.
政治家の口利きがあったとして、契約の経緯が調査された。
The circumstances of the contract were investigated on suspicion that a politician had intervened.
noun
influential person; person whose word carries weight
Less common as a standalone noun than the mediation sense. Refers to someone with enough influence or connections to make arrangements, close to 顔利き.
祖父は地元ではちょっとした口利きで、役所にも顔が利いた。
My grandfather was a person of some influence locally and had connections at city hall as well.
noun
way of speaking; eloquence; eloquent person
Archaic speech-related use. The original sense was a person's manner of speaking, and it could also refer to eloquence or an eloquent speaker; modern Japanese normally uses other words for these meanings.
古い文章では、「口利き」が話し方や弁舌の巧みさを指すことがある。
In old writing, 口利き can refer to one's manner of speaking or skill in speech.