Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: steer clear of (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Let 's just say I 've done almost everything once,’ he said . ‘ At least I never really had a drugs problem.’ Keifer Sutherland , son of Donald , managed to steer clear of drugs , ‘ although I have been known to let off steam occasionally,’ he said . Brat Packers like Keifer Sutherland are in a sense rebels to the cause . He prefers to stay at home with his wife and two children , shunning ritzy Hollywood parties .
Idiom: on the blink (used idiomatically: yes)
It did n't matter then how much work there was to do just give a yelp There was always someone around to help Not like now , there 's this , or that , or the computers on the blink This week we heard that April 30th is the date When on this mill for the last time there will close the gate
Idiom: part of the furniture (used idiomatically: yes)
BIG BUCKS . BERTIE AULD MERGES WITH THE CROWD In 1981 , when Johnstone was still part of the furniture at Ibrox , Bill McMurdo and a local architect Bob Waugh involved him in the launch of Box Office Promotions ( UK ) Ltd a sports and leisure company which aimed to profit from Johnstone 's popularity in the Lanarkshire area . Soon after the company was established , the trio took over the run - down Bertram House Hotel in Harthill . They renamed it ‘ DJ 's Hotel’ and embarked on an ambitious plan which would involve the ebullient and talkative Johnstone acting as mine host .
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
Amy . Where is she ? It 'd be funny if she did fall on her nose . She 'll have a flat nose ! A flat nose ?
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: yes)
Roy Collins LENNOX LEWIS may be protesting too much about wanting to fight Riddick Bowe immediately for the undisputed world heavyweight title . But at least Lewis is a fighting man who is eager to climb over the top of the trenches and go into battle to earn his rights . That , though , does not seem to be the Frank Bruno way . As much as he talks of being driven by sporting ambition , his actions continually suggest a more cynical approach to the richest prize in sport .
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: yes)
But I knew that was easier said than done . It would be as much as Dad could do to keep himself in order after he 'd had a drop too much . Dad was a jolly chap sober , or could be , but when he 'd had a few he thought himself a bit of a lady - killer . Mum knew this too , which was why she always kept an eye on him when he was the worse for drink . I handed Mary and Dad their cups of sweet tea and they both smiled .
Idiom: friends in high places (used idiomatically: yes)
She was too obvious with her lectures and books- and what access did she have ? No official standing . Probably a few friends in high places but it would be better to recruit them instead . No I think she thought she could guess at somebody who might be involved — like Person Y — but nothing more.’ ‘ Unless it was cover.’
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: yes)
The first number earned a few scattered handclaps for old time 's sake ; the second was received with silence ; after the third , a ten - minute dirge entitled ‘ When The Lotus Blossom Drops In My Tea’ , booing broke out . Midway through the fourth song , Yorick gave up and stumbled off the stage . One by one , the members of the band followed suit . Only Cyril remained , dribbling happily as he tapped the rhythm of ‘ Jingle Bells’ on the snare drum . Celia tried to salvage what she could , but she knew few of the journalists personally .
Idiom: mutton dressed as lamb (used idiomatically: yes)
Well she could be my age and be a student . She sounds awful ! Well , yeah , I was gon na say mutton dressed as lamb . . Well that would have worn off .
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
And when she kept on asking , When shall I see papa ? Anna never said , Not before you are twenty - one ; she did n't tell her about the legal arrangements she had made . She said that if Constanza went it would break her heart . ‘ Constanza says that she felt so much for her mother , even if she did not understand then what it meant to her to be cut off from Italy , from Rome . She could n't bear things like Anna refusing to keep house or giving any pleasure to herself .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
The two eventually merged to form the AFL - CIO , the American TUC . Just over the mountain in Kentucky is Harlan County , where in 1973 the miners fought a long and bitter strike . They lost , but during the struggle the rank - and - file movement gained control of the UMWA . These workers have traditionally been the toughest and most radical , and employers all over America are aware that if Pittston can break the ' mother union ' , then the attempts to gain the ground lost in the Reagan years will be stillborn . At Castlewood we meet Gene Carroll , a UMWA spokesman .
Idiom: out of the woods (used idiomatically: yes)
The Foreign Office tonight said : We did as much as we properly could and extended considerable assistance to Mrs Brown 's efforts . Despite the good news . there 's still a feeling Nick Brown may not yet be out of the woods . Legal technicalities mean he could have to stay in Goa for another 4 months and understandably he just wants to get home . In Central News tonight .
Idiom: make waves (used idiomatically: yes)
There are sometimes conflicts of interest , like the obvious one between navigation and angling Voice over That traditional battle between fishermen and boatmen makes many waves on the river . The boatmen fear they 'll be restricted as the report suggests to satisfy the wealthy owners of fishing rights Male speaker
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
The great Alex Murphy and Aussie Tommy Raudonikis were not the most placid of players . ‘ Bobby is a likeable kid with an angelic face but he has a streak of aggression which needs to be channelled in a legiti - mate way . ‘ I know what happened at Leeds and he was out of order . But I still prefer him in my side than playing against me . ‘ I do n't want teams to relish the thought of playing at Naughton Park .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
Well we we often had people coming and asking to use our telephone , because either the telephones were erm all out of order , or you could only dial for emergencies . Erm when we moved into the flat , at first , there was actually a telephone box on the deck . And just outside our place , but it was often erm out of order . And I think it w w was quite difficult for people because they 'd either have to walk a long way to try and make a telephone call . If their giro did n't come , erm the only way of of contacting D H S S , was either to go down , or to walk all round until they could find a telephone to do it .
Idiom: nuts and bolts (used idiomatically: yes)
They were about nine inches by six inches , some two inches in thickness , with a bold diamond pattern , deeply cut into the hard black face . For many years they had formed part of The Market Place surface . Covering the brick floor were piles of scrap — rusty cracked drain pipes , guttering , old kitchen ranges , wooden tubs for oddments , such as nuts and bolts , square wicker baskets that held rabbit skins , cotton , wool , crates into which jam jars were stacked , the variety was endless . From the white washed wooden ceiling hung all sorts of items — lamps , cycle frames , farm and garden implements and dozens of other things . Presumably , Mr. Tylee considered these had not outlived their useful life and if he kept them long enough , a buyer might come along .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
Our research shows that people are happy to buy loans direct.’ Midland believes that following 40,000 inquiries for First Direct in October , it will open 4,000 to 5,000 accounts during the first month . But customers who deal direct are cheaper in the long run to process than those who buy through branches . Therefore TSB Direct claims it will offer cheaper products than are available through the branches . TSB Direct also claims loans can be turned round in five days from application .
Idiom: in the club (used idiomatically: yes)
You emphasise that nothing kinky or weird goes on . Is there , perhaps , a vague wish that there was more excitement than there is ? I have a feeling that your attraction towards the girl in the club is a symptom of your sexual frustration . You want your nice boyfriend to do naughty things — the things this girl does in your fantasies . Perhaps this link has n't occurred to you , and perhaps when you consider it , it 'll make sense to you .
Idiom: way to go (used idiomatically: no)
Naturally , this competition in the labor market suppresses non - farm wages : whereas labor productivity in non - farm sectors increased by 10 - 12 % annually in the past 15 years , migrant workers ’ real wages have increased by only 4 - 6 % per year . As a result , income disparity between low - end labor , on the one hand , and professionals and investors , on the other , has also increased . All this means that the process of industrialization in China still has a long way to go .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
So when you say you went through , what what did you go through before you embarked on on surrogacy ? Erm , well my particular case was cut and dry , no medical miracles , as I say , could help me because I had lost a baby at six months during the labour and erm in order to save to my life I had a hysterectomy so there was no possibility of I V F , etcetera , etcetera . Adoption was out of the question in this country I think in Grampian region there was four babies for Mm . adoption , and possibly a thousand people wanting those four babies !
Idiom: in the running (used idiomatically: yes)
The department said it had been decided not to invite competing tenders for Norcross because the contract award , worth between £ 17 million and £ 20 million over five years , followed so quickly the tendering exercise for Livingston that competition would have been ' unlikely to yield any improvement in value for money ' . The Civil Service unions are convinced that EDS will win the Swindon contract . They said they were warned yesterday that the Washington area centre would also be privatised if there were any problems in its running . Banks drop student loan scheme . By Education Staff
Idiom: like clockwork (used idiomatically: yes)
Superimposed on him , somehow . Bound . He thought he recognised in Creed qualities that he had himself : the ability to wait and to charge the act of waiting with the current of anticipation , to check and double - check , so that when the waiting was over everything would go like clockwork . He knew that , if he ever told Creed the story of the radios , Creed would understand . It might even be something that Creed already understood , that he 'd divined on their first meeting in the Mortlake office .
Idiom: have it easy (used idiomatically: yes)
She had exams last January , did n't she , and she has n't had exams since last January , she wo n't have until next during June . Really ? And like , she has , like , although she 's doing secondary teaching , she has it easier than anybody . Mm . At this stage , anyway .
Idiom: spill the beans (used idiomatically: yes)
She Was Too Loyal . Oh . we spill the beans and we swill our gin and discover that we 're Sisters Under The Skin . Oh , I know her inside out—
Idiom: all the rage (used idiomatically: yes)
John was careful , but as a singer I felt with him as I were standing on one leg after my time with Walter . He had a vision of sound in which the voice was only a small part — there were a hundred other prima donnas out there in the orchestra . Stage effects were all the rage : listen to the clumping of the giants on the original black discs of Rheingold .’ Before The Ring Culshaw , Nilsson and Björling had come together in 1961 to record her first complete Verdi role , Amelia in Un ballo in maschera . The occasion is described in detail in Culshaw 's Putting the Record Straight ( Secker & Warburg ; 1981 ) .
Idiom: take it easy (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ It 's my body that seems sluggish.’ ‘ You 've been through a lot,’ nodded the Doctor . ‘ I wish I could say take it easy.’ Rosheen and Klift had caught up with them . ‘ Come on , Doctor,’ urged Rosheen .
Idiom: in the long term (used idiomatically: yes)
This attempt is being fully charted with a view to furthering the methodological debate which surrounds this aspect of data production and analysis . The overall aim is thus centred upon producing , in the short term , substantive material concerning the various interactions that take place in old people 's homes . In the longer term , such material will extend discussion at the level of policy and practice with particular implications for developing a consumer focus to performance review within homes . Award Title : Social services departments in multi - racial areas
Idiom: on the game (used idiomatically: yes)
Mm , I know but it 's so stupid though innit ? I know , but that is so stupid though innit ? No , it depends on the game pl play is . So what erm Erm Fatal Fury .
Idiom: hold the fort (used idiomatically: yes)
in thick rain walking the parish boundary , circling the house where your mother holds fort or any house where my guest 's impeccable English might ring out and deceive you .
Idiom: out and about (used idiomatically: no)
I would be interested to read what he writes to his wife or girlfriend . This week NO. 4 Commando have moved from the positions they have occupied at Hauger since the 6th june and moved to new positions in the village of Breville , a short distance from here . The Germans who have been facing us all these weeks have pulled out and are now dug in in a thickly wooded area about three-hundred yards from No. 4 Commando . The enemy have lost no time settling in and are now busy mortaring their former positions , causing the usual casualties . Visited No. 4 Commando this morning in their new positions in the Breville area .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: yes)
He tips them off about what he plans to do one month in advance , using code words like “ vigilance ” to signal policy change , all the while maintaining with a straight face that the bank never “ pre - commits ” its policy stance . Many on the Governing Council ~ object to this childish game of code words , because it eliminates their freedom of action once the Council commits itself to a course of action . The Council may then be forced to choose between doing the right thing and preserving the credibility of the ECB ’s communications . This is precisely what happened in September , when the financial crisis made it impossible for the ECB to proceed with the interest - rate hike that it had “ announced ” in August .
Idiom: time will tell (used idiomatically: yes)
Unveiling the 28th edition , associate editor Alison Holding said : ‘ The recession has been quite a leveller . It has affected different parts of the country in very different ways . ‘ Only time will tell whether things will change back to the way they were.’ The narrowing of differences is revealed most obviously in a comparison of unemployment rates over the last decade . While the proportion of people out of work in 1981 stood at 11.7pc in the North compared with 5.5pc in the South East , at the beginning of this year the figures were 12.1pc and 10.5pc respectively .
Idiom: stake a claim (used idiomatically: yes)
We are giving away 100 half - bottles each of 1985 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and 1988 Dry Sauvignon Blanc , both produced by the highly regarded Beaulieu Vineyard of Napa Valley , California . The Cabernet Sauvignon has a distinctly blackcurranty flavour and is velvety smooth , while the Sauvignon Blanc is light , dry and refreshing . To stake your claim to a sip from the Sunshine State , send your details on a postcard to BBC Good Food /Beaulieu Wine Offer ( address above ) or call by the end of April on ( 0839 ) 168103 . NAUGHTY BUT ICE Undergo the ultimate ice - cream experience with fresh cream ice - cream cakes from Häagen - Daz .
Idiom: turn the corner (used idiomatically: yes)
It all looked innocent enough . The lift leading down to the diving area was only twenty feet away . He waved them on as he turned the corner , and began to run . Then something stopped him . He slowed , became wary again .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: no)
IT WAS a case of what might have been for Scottish trio Cathy Panton - Lewis , Julie Forbes and Gillian Stewart in the opening round of the Republic of China Open at Chang Gung in Taipei yesterday . Panton - Lewis and Forbes handed in 74s , with Stewart one stroke behind , as Japan 's Fusako Nagata led with a four - under - par round of 68 . Panton - Lewis dropped three strokes in her closing five holes while Forbes three - putted the seventeenth and eighteenth greens to undo her earlier work . Stewart 's only birdie came at the short fourth , where her ball agonisingly finished on the lip of the hole . Nagata encountered few problems in her 68 , which included four birdies and an eagle , while American Kim Lasken holed an 80-yard approach for an eagle 3 at the third hole in her 69 .
Idiom: hold someone's hand (used idiomatically: no)
‘ Aw , shit , just take my picture ! Go right ahead , do n't ask me how I feel.’ He had n't hit her , or snatched her camera , but stood square to her , holding his hands up as if he knew not to , bouncing on the balls of his feet , while Jean - Claude and his group looked on , keeping very still , and Miranda wondered , for a moment , if the camera were rolling , for she felt on display under George 's attack . She was trembling , hot tears sprang to her eyes , she wanted to cover her face with her hands , but did not dare attempt such a defending gesture for it would have seemed a patent provocation ; besides she knew how to stand in the face of anger . And at the same time the racing of her blood was only partly fear , and she could see that he knew it , that he had discovered this power and tuned it to performance pitch , that the insults were a kind of invitation , the display of force a plea turned upside down , and she also wanted , because she longed to please , to take off her clothes then and there and let him down from his prideful pose , and soothe him with her obedience to his rage .
Idiom: play games (used idiomatically: yes)
I spent it on a bike , carried on doing a paper round , and by the time I was 14 , I was already contributing to the family coffers . Later on , when I was living in Cardiff , I would often miss the last bus from my girlfriend 's house and she used to lend me her bicycle . Pedalling home , I used to play a game — that with every light I saw on in a house , I would get £ 1,000 a year . Sometimes I 'd get home earning £ 200,000 a year . It was a good game .
Idiom: pecking order (used idiomatically: yes)
Interestingly , Elie was top dog at Tiger Haven . Both Harriet and Tara , a young female tiger that Billy started to rear when the leopardess was three , deferred to the dog . Elie had been at Tiger Haven before they both arrived and that apparently confirmed the pecking order . The first sign that Harriet had not lost her wild instincts came in her third year , when she left the house and started to go off hunting at night . One morning she brought back to Billy 's house at Tiger Haven a young chital she had killed .
Idiom: chop and change (used idiomatically: yes)
I mean , Cover Master , it 's very simple , say you want , yeah , it 's a hundred thousand arranged for twenty years , and then later on . Yeah . Because this one , you could chopping and changing it all the time , it 's very an administrative nightmare Oh , yeah , I see , yeah , okay . on that , it would be very difficult .
Idiom: go through the motions (used idiomatically: yes)
Why did n't you tell Lotta that our relationship is purely business instead of encouraging her to believe that we were — were —?’ ‘ Sleeping together?’ He shrugged broad shoulders , not even going through the motions of denying her accusation . ‘ Perhaps I wanted to convince her that I had found a replacement for her and she was wasting her time in trying to fan burned - out ashes to life.’ ‘ Or perhaps you were using me to make her jealous?’ she suggested tartly .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
However , perhaps his best one , and the most important from the club 's point of view , was that of 12 January 1924 when the Palace met and beat the might of Tottenham Hotspur in the ( old ) 1st round of the FA Cup at The Nest . Cross 's immediate opponent was none other than the great ‘ Fanny’ Walden and the Spurs side was laden with internationals . Charlie completely blotted the great man out of the match and , with this vital piece of their armoury missing , Tottenham were nonplussed and the Palace went on to win with two goals scored by Billy Morgan , who had joined the club as part of the same complex deal as Cross himself in 1922 . DAVIES , Bill 208 appearances
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: yes)
CAMBRIDGE – With youth unemployment touching 50 % in eurozone countries such as Spain and Greece , is a generation being sacrificed for the sake of a single currency that encompasses too diverse a group of countries to be sustainable ? If so , does enlarging the euro ’s membership really serve Europe ’s apparent goal of maximizing economic integration without necessarily achieving full political union ? The good news is that economic research does have a few things to say about whether Europe should have a single currency . The bad news is that it has become increasingly clear that , at ~ least for large countries , currency areas will be highly unstable unless they follow national borders . At a minimum , currency unions require a confederation with far more centralized power over taxation and other policies than European leaders envision for the eurozone .
Idiom: in the fast lane (used idiomatically: no)
‘ I was passing Slough and the brakes just refused to work . I had to coast along until I stopped . I discovered a leak of brake fluid — just a small problem but I was in the fast lane so it was a bit worrying.’ The car 's previous owner was the late cricketer , Sir George ‘ Gubby’ Allen , and was snaffled up by Mogg for £ 8,000 at the recent auction of Allen 's belongings . MY mention of Flattened Fauna , a handbook to squashed animals , has brought a welter of enquiries .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Have patience , nephew , I pray you . You are weary , I am weary and the horses are weary . Let us leave such vexatious matters for the time being.’ ‘ Should you be referring to Vaughan , good uncle , I assure you that he is no vexatious matter,’ Edward said hotly . ‘ Indeed , I would feel a deal more at ease , were that worthy gentleman by my side now.’
Idiom: nothing to write home about (used idiomatically: no)
Elean : Some people say that since the Namibian independence agreement and the lessening of Botha 's power in the government the situation in South Africa has gotten better ; that there are renewed hopes for an amicable settlement with the liberation forces . What do you say about this ? Miriam : As far as I 'm concerned all that is nothing to write home about . As long as the statutory racist laws inflicted on us remain , then all that is going on is rubbish . The only way in which we can be convinced that the situation in South Africa is getting better is by abolishing all the racist laws , doing away with the whole system of apartheid , allowing every adult to be able to decide on their own future , in other words universal adult suffrage .