Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: fall on deaf ears (used idiomatically: yes)
He ended by saying that the lights would not go out until they had achieved civil rights and a thirty - two - county republic . Jack Hassard , an NILP member of Dungannon Council , condemned the ban on the Market Square meeting , which had only been notified by the police at twelve o'clock the previous night . Pleas for housing made at council meetings , he said , had fallen on deaf ears . Many Protestants , like himself , were in favour of civil rights . Joe McCann , secretary of the NDP , said that the meeting bore witness to the failure of the Unionist Party to keep faith with the British traditions it professed to admire .
Idiom: in the pink (used idiomatically: yes)
a bum - splintering see - saw and baby swings . I soon got talking , and a girl of seven was pointed out , who always dressed in pink and used to suck men 's willies in the Gents . I thought it seemed a funny thing to do .
Idiom: under the influence (used idiomatically: yes)
All those who were familiar with the works of Kerschensteiner knew that the task of the schools was to educate their pupils to serve their fellow citizens ; they were to be taught the value of joy in work as service . The end of all education , he said , was not merely the technically efficient workman , but one who ‘ not only seeks to advance his own welfare through his work , but also consciously places his work in the service of the community . The Report of the Consultative Committee on Continuation Schools ( no doubt under the influence of Sadler ) quoted him approvingly when he wrote that apprentices should learn ‘ the truth of the maxim that the meaning of life is not to rule but to render service to one 's neighbour , service to one 's calling , service to one 's native country , service to truth and to justice’ . Such an exhortation was meant to encourage adolescents to accept what was in effect an ideological belief , namely , that ‘ any service for which payment is accepted , however humble it may be , is to be regarded as a service to the community and to be conscientiously performed.’ Writing in 1918 , but with a little more subtlety , J. Dover Wilson advised that the War had transformed work from being ‘ a meaningless drudgery’ into something meaningful , because it brought about ‘ a common purpose’ , which needed to be continued by encouraging workers to regard ‘ production’not as ‘ forced labour’ , but as ‘ a social service’ .
Idiom: save the day (used idiomatically: yes)
If this had not happened nothing could have stopped him and the whole party would have been dragged down after him . Sheer luck had saved us.’ With strategies like these for saving the day , it had to be a hardy individual indeed to do what Solly tried . Think about it as you uncoil your ropes on the little apron of slab below Eagle 's Nest Direct , the polished holds stained running - track crimson from the countless pairs of boots that have deposited reddish mud from Great Hell Gate Scree and Needle Gully onto the rock . Overhead is the splendid architraved knife - edge about which the guidebook says : ‘ Delightful open and delicate climbing … ‘and : ‘ Small wires have made a difference to this once very bold lead.’
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
Public inquires certainly . been rather unfair to the Conservative party over their attitudes to Maastricht . Would you accept as a Euro enthusiast , that the opinion poll published by the commission three weeks ago , showed that the Labour party in their tepid support for Maastricht , were wholly out of line with the average Labour voter and in fact it shows quite clearly the majority of people in Britain , not only were opposed to Maastricht , they were also opposed to the idea that the E C was a good idea at all . . I feel er something of a stranger walking in on the Maastricht reunion er annual dinner er at the er I have to say that erm I er would n't wish to cross swords with the honourable gentleman on the detail of the Maastricht bill but certainly but certainly I ' ave to say that for many people and maybe even some people on this own side who may be prepared to admit it , the false divide between Euro sceptics and Euro fanatics is one that does n't appeal to the new generations of members and I suspect on both sides of the house , we are in our considered view in Europe and we need to make the best of it and treat Europe on its merits rather than re - live the battles of the er late seventies and early eighties .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Its erection came a month after the then 12-year - old state — in the face of a grave economic crisis — had been forced to reorganise its ministries and faced an outflow of its citizens to the West on a scale ( 200,000 in 1960 alone ) mirroring this year 's flood of refugees . Watched by a demonstration of 5000 jeering westerners at the Brandenburg Gate , and by Mr Willi Brandt , the then Mayor of West Berlin who referred to ‘ the vacant eyes of uniformed compatriots doing their duty on the other side’ , the soldiers completed the first barrier in only a few hours . Armed guards told thousands of people with jobs in the western sector they should not report for work ‘ for the time being’ , while a few were said to have turned a blind eye as scores of their fellow citizens ran for freedom . Individuals were seen jumping from the windows of the buildings straggling the French and Soviet sectors of the city before they could be bricked up . Soon , Mr Peter Fechter , aged 18 , the first of nearly 200 East Germans killed in the last 28 years while trying to escape , was shot as he climbed over the Wall near Checkpoint Charlie .
Idiom: on the up and up (used idiomatically: yes)
Especially since there are two new courses to choose from : Spaghetti Bolognese and Apricot & Lemon Yogurt . So now there are five varieties packed with vitamins and minerals to liven up 4 o'clock . All in all , it can only mean that tea time is on the up and up . Ordinary milk is only ideal for one kind of six month old baby . Farley 's Junior Milk is a better alternative to cow 's milk for babies from six months .
Idiom: get the picture (used idiomatically: yes)
There are a staggering amount of pictures here . Female speaker We 've got pictures from the super eight film of the assassination if you want . Voice over The agency services newspapers , magazines and publishers around the world .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
Painstakingly Verity Lambert explained to her superiors the impracticality of a thirteen week , quarter - year season ; the four part cavemen story was in the can , the seven part Dalek serial was under way , and they were committed to running ' Marco Polo ' , also seven episodes in length , giving a grand total of eighteen weeks in all . Accepting the logic of this situation the matter was held over for further review at a later Department Head meeting . But by that time , history had been made . ' During that interim period Doctor Who just took off with the Daleks in a way that none of us could have imagined , and after that there was no more discussion about it coming off the air . ' However , the point is that for quite a long time nobody really wanted to know about Doctor Who outside Sydney and Donald .
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
It is all of a piece ; Amy talks about becoming a nurse , not a doctor ; a librarian , not a best - selling author . We have pointed out that her ambitions are relatively lowly and that she could earn far more and do more interesting work as a doctor than as a nurse , but her attitudes seem thoroughly entrenched . At seven , this is n't crucial , but I 'm well aware that this is the beginning of a tendency girls have to underachieve academically and in other walks of life . The world is her oyster but she dreams of being a librarian . This is , of course , because she loves books and the library she visits is one of her favourite places .
Idiom: sitting pretty (used idiomatically: yes)
nasty . I am one man 's meat I am nobody 's fool I refuse to make fish of the one and flesh of the other I sing dumb I sit pretty I stand for my rights . I am hard hearted I am self centred I must be soft .
Idiom: tie the knot (used idiomatically: yes)
Crews can not understand commands . Foreign officers and ratings can not understand collision prevention rules . Crew members can not steer or tie knots . Foreign officers could not operate radar and other navigational equipment . ' It 's no good building safe ships and sending them on routes away from sensitive areas if they are then inadequately crewed and run by shady , cut - throat operators , ' said the NUMAST general secretary , John Newman .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
I told her once and for all that I would not go shopping with her .
Idiom: squeaky clean (used idiomatically: yes)
And now he 's broken free from the pattern and from the addictions , first alcohol then cocaine . He 's a writer and a historian , and he 's growing his hair half - way down his back for his next one - man show . He 's ‘ squeaky clean’— he gets high flying his own plane . ‘ Alcohol did me the greatest favour , which is that it brought me down to earth . I was otherwise condemned to be a Hollywood brat .
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: yes)
The going was steep and treacherously slick in places , and Paige had all her concentration centred on staying upright . Her eyes on where to place her feet , she failed to notice that Travis had come to a halt , and cannoned right into him . Before she could utter the cry of alarm which rose in her throat his hand had closed over her mouth , and Paige 's startled eyes blinked at him over the top . Travis motioned her to keep quiet , and cocked his head in a listening attitude . Soon Paige could hear it too — there were people climbing up towards them and they were getting closer by the second .
Idiom: by the back door (used idiomatically: yes)
However a rising priority for the Government was a rapid expansion of numbers , which combined happily with the increasing desire of people of all ages to boost their qualifications . The UFC 's subsequent system rewarded those who took on extra students cheaply . If Knowledge plc had failed to get in by the back door , it was this that brought the ideology of the market - place marching in the front . Along with marketing to attract more customers , the management changes throughout the sector have required that senior academics transform themselves into planners , seeking to attract money towards their work , rather than relying on the previous expectation that it would fall like manna from the principal 's office . It is a process which has led universities — some of them at least— to appear to be driven less by the pursuit of knowledge than by the pursuit of funding .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: yes)
Let us consider why careful management may be beneficial . We have evidence from studies on non-diabetics that treating hypertension reduces the incidence of stroke , congestive cardiac failure and possibly myocardial infarction ( Veterans Administration Co-operative Study Group on Antihypertensive Agents , 1967,1970 ; Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program , 1979 ) . Studies on serum cholesterol levels in non-diabetics have shown that a degree of primary prevention of coronary artery disease is achieved by lowering serum cholesterol levels in high-risk populations of males with significant hypercholesterolaemia using diet and drug treatment ( The Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial , 1984 ) or diet alone ( Hjermann et al , 1981 ) . Hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia are common accompaniments of diabetes and it is not illogical to anticipate similar benefits if these atherogenic factors are dealt with effectively in the diabetic patient . Figure 6.1 The management of the blood glucose during myocardial infraction .
Idiom: turn turtle (used idiomatically: yes)
Where were they ? Where were they ? Had the tortoise turned turtle in some sulphurous cul - de - sac ? If he … But ah , there 's the gunmetal glint I seek .
Idiom: spit it out (used idiomatically: yes)
Did you ? That 's alright . You spit it out again did you ? Yeah . Mum what 's that hard thing ?
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
Of course it 's worth it — it 's Swindon Town . Voice over There were 18,000 tickets up for grabs when the ticket office opened at 9 o'clcock this morning . If any remain unsold , disabled supporters like Les Smith , who WAS told he COULDN'T go because of lack of space , MAY be in luck . Wembley confirmed tonight that it has been given the go - ahead to make more room for wheelchairs .
Idiom: spring to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
But they were , at that particular time with the Germans , giving us a bad time in the Western Desert . It seems odd , in retrospect , that we carried out some excellent Pathfinding , but then we were aided by the lack of any serious opposition . An amusing reminder of these sorties ( I missed one of the larger of these attacks while on leave ) springs to mind when , on returning to the squadron . I was told that I would have to take a strange aircraft that night , I learnt that my aircraft had been damaged by flak — and Italian flak to boot— and one of my lads was in hiding as he claimed I had threatened him with dire punishment if he damaged my aircraft . The shame of it : to damage the boss 's aircraft — by Italian flak !
Idiom: on the money (used idiomatically: no)
The Prime Minister The right hon . Gentleman knows very well that I can not prejudge my right hon . Friend 's Budget , and I have no intention of doing so . He should also realise that tax is levied on people 's own money : it does not belong to the Government ; it is their money that the Government compulsorily take away from them in taxation . Taxation levels determine how much . We know that the right hon . Gentleman would add to taxation , for he needs to in order to sustain his promises .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
' Handsome young devils they was in their uniforms . Turned all the young girls ' heads . ' Well , me too , Mrs P. Join the club . Johnny stood just inside the door to the sitting room . If he had moved his head , only fractionally , and glanced up , he would have seen her there .
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Send for a doctor,’ said Nathan curtly . He took Paul up in his arms and carried him inside , laying him on the sofa . Paul turned his head a little , and groaned . ‘ Have I hurt you?’ asked Nathan softly . ‘ No … no … it was her letter … ’
Idiom: hold water (used idiomatically: no)
Some children suffered from frostbite on the hands , others could not hold their water in the cold and remained lying in wet clothes on the wet ~ palliasses .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
Now the sentinel submarines were under way again , gently manoeuvring to take up positions alongside Taureg . ‘ They 've stopped engines . That 's the skipper and commander going on board her now . The pink gin'll be flowing in the wardroom and there 'll be an extra tot for the lower decks , I should n't wonder.’ He glanced down at his wrist .
Idiom: from scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
It was completed in 1928 . After the appearance of the old Supplement in 1933 the staff was disbanded . Work on the new Supplement began almost from scratch in 1957 with the appointment of R.W. Burchfield as Editor . A vast amount of preliminary activity , including the collection of quotations and the selection and training of staff , had to be undertaken before the first material went to press in 1965 . The time taken to prepare the two works is therefore , roughly speaking , 50 years for the OED and 28 years for the Supplement .
Idiom: at a loss for words (used idiomatically: yes)
Only in retrospect does he think he might qualify as a ' new man ' , a supporter of causes from which he is excluded by his situation — feminism , the Third World , anti - racism , gay rights . So he lives with a lurking fear of exposure as a fraud . He thinks this keeps him on his mettle , but it often leaves him at a loss for the right word . Amiable and well - liked , he is basically a happy man who gets intense pleasure from his senses every day — from sunlight on his back , the scent of fresh coffee and the company of others . You must not think him ridden with angst just because , for once , he 's agreed to discuss with us the things he normally ignores .
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
That 's what I had in my heart : revenge . I used to sit down and plan the day when they 'd open the gate . I mean , you 're just in a cell , you 're locked up , it makes you think , ‘ Right , that was my mistake , but next time I 'm going to get further , I 'm going to get the better of them . When I get out there , I 'm going to make sure I do something worthwhile — you know , like a robbery or something.’ I was sitting in there planning robberies .
Idiom: streets ahead (used idiomatically: yes)
A left - of - centre paper combining easy tabloid reading with heavyweight news coverage looked like a good bet . Thornton spelled out how the new technology was rapidly opening up the newspaper scene , and offering enormous cost - cutting possibilities . The first paper to get it would be streets ahead of its rivals . A new left - wing paper sympathetic to , and backed by , the trade unions could be the first to sign new staffing - level agreements and steal a march on the competition . The comrades listened .
Idiom: all along (used idiomatically: yes)
THE trial of three businessmen accused of exporting arms - making equipment to Iraq turns out to have been not just a farce but a scandal . If they had been found guilty , they could have gone to jail . Now it turns out that the Government knew all along what they were up to but told them to lie . Four Ministers apparently tried to cover up the truth by hiding under a cloak of secrecy . Thankfully , the court saw behind that .
Idiom: out of the blue (used idiomatically: yes)
GUIL : I do n't begin to understand . Who are all these people , what 's it got to do with me ? You turn up out of the blue with some cock and bull story ROS:(With letter ) We have a letter GUIL:(Snatches it , opens it ) A letter — yes — that 's true .
Idiom: lose heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Bates , who beat Byron Black of Zimbabwe 3–6 6–3 7–5 in his first round match , can find comfort , too , in Wilkinson 's victory because he is due to meet Frana in the first round at Wimbledon . Wilkinson was in poor spirits after losing both his matches in the recent Davis Cup match with Hungary in Budapest , on clay , but the grass court season has given him renewed zest and he is playing the best tennis of his career . Last week 's victory over Goran Ivanisevic was his first over a top 10 player and against Frana he never lost heart , even though his rival was holding serve far more comfortably in the early stages of both sets . ‘ I was struggling on my serve at times,’ admitted Wilkinson , ‘ but on the big points I was playing really well . I feel I can beat anyone at the moment.’
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
With his most famous work , the miner 's safety - lamp , it seemed that science was saving lives as well as boosting the economy . At just the same time George Stephenson also invented a safety - lamp very like Davy 's ; but he did not know the principle on which Davy had designed his , and his lamp was the fruit of practice , of trial and error , guided by the general idea of restricting the supply of gas - laden air . Such a device could not be trusted , and it was the hope of scientists that in place of rules of thumb properly scientific methods could be widely taught . That way the industrial decline of Britain , deplored through most of the century by Presidents of the British Association and eminent men of science generally , would be halted . The Royal Institution had begun with an abortive attempt to train artisans in elementary science ; mechanics ' institutes provided lectures for what seems to have been chiefly a membership from the lower middle class .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
Then there was a butcher , minus several bits of fingers , who would hold up his hand and joke , ‘ You wo n't find 'em in the sausages , missus.’ The local man who comes to mind is Mr. Len Cannell who sold fruit . He would blow into one of his paper bags , somehow or another keep this in position , still open on his left hand and then with his right throw oranges into it . He would count ,
Idiom: on the stump (used idiomatically: yes)
The elder of these two women was gathering wild flowers , exclaiming as she did so . It was innocent enough , yet still I felt the fear . The elder female sank down on a tree stump to rest , fanning herself with her hand . The other one came on , picking her way cautiously . I saw the brown hair on the crown of her head , gleaming in the sun with a beauty I can not describe .
Idiom: face to face (used idiomatically: yes)
In many languages , distinctions of fine gradation between the relative ranks of speaker and addressee are systematically encoded throughout , for example , the morphological system , in which case we talk of honorifics ; but such distinctions are also regularly encoded in choices between pronouns , summons forms or vocatives , and titles of address in familiar languages . Deictic systems in natural languages are not arbitrarily organized around the features of just any of the many different kinds of medium and context in which languages are used . Rather there is an essential assumption of that basic face - to - face conversational context in which all humans acquire language , or as Lyons ( 1977a : 637 - 8 ) has put it rather more precisely : The grammaticalization and lexicalization of deixis is best understood in relation to what may be termed the canonical situation of utterance : this involves one - one , or one - many , signalling in the phonic medium along the vocal - auditory channel , with all the participants present in the same actual situation able to see one another and to perceive the associated non - vocal paralinguistic features of their utterances , and each assuming the role of sender and receiver in turn There is much in the structure of languages that can only be explained on the assumption that they have developed for communication in face - to - face interaction . This is clearly so as far as deixis is concerned . Further , it is generally ( but not invariably ) true that deixis is organized in an egocentric way .
Idiom: do someone proud (used idiomatically: yes)
You handled it exactly right . It was clear the reason he was happy to go on discussing Cecil King with you was that you had taken and shown a genuine interest in his regional tour … You did us proud … " I must admit I got a less amiable response from another Prime Minister , Ted Heath . He rebuked me because I 'd apparently stepped in too quickly with the next question before he 'd finished answering the last one .
Idiom: think twice (used idiomatically: yes)
The TV works perfectly well without one.’ At another house where an officer asked about the aerial on the roof , the owner replied : ‘ I 've got a bottle of milk on the doorstep , but that does n't mean to say I 've got a cow in the kitchen.’ But a detector van makes most licence dodgers think twice . Whenever it patrols an area , there is always an increase in requests for licences . ‘ The local Post Offices like to be told in advance if we are going to patrol an area,’ says officer Graham Perrett .