Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
The feeling is growing that we should get our act together smartly if we are not to be left gongless at the end of a less deserving queue . From what we hear , not everybody has entirely grasped the principle of the Prime Minister 's reform . It aims to achieve a greater spread of awards to people ‘ in any walk of life , well - known or not , whose service to the community , or contribution to life in this country you regard as exceptional’ . This is made abundantly clear at our first impromptu committee meeting in the bar of the Gardener 's Arms . There reports were received from far and wide about recommendations already said to have been submitted to Downing Street .
Idiom: good offices (used idiomatically: yes)
In Mexico , during the Wars of Independence the Virgin of Guadalupe protected the nationalist forces while the Spaniards placed their trust in the Virgen de los Remedios . Gironella 's many versions of Velázquez 's Mariana similarly fragment her into different roles — queen , woman , icon , cadaver , carnival figure , victim , aggressor . There is a third sister in this euphonious family : Marina , the baptised name of Malinche , mistress of Cortèz , through whose good offices and linguistic skills Mexico was conquered both for the Virgin Maria , and for Marina 's royal ancestors . Marina is the original and ultimate traitor to her people , but as mother of the first mestizo she is also the mother of modern Mexico . Mariana herself is remembered more as a name on a family tree than as a person .
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
This approach is typical for service companies of this kind A fund management A rule of thumb is a percentage of funds under business management ( typically 2 % — 3 % ) A leasing company Discount the future lease income to present values after careful analysis of residual values
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: yes)
Well , what I knew was I would get no more . After further inconsequential chat , which I deliberately spun out to fifteen minutes , I made my excuses . Fifty metres down the road , I heard the insecure flap of rubber sandals . It was the girl I 'd annoyed with my carelessness . ‘ You forgot your areca - box.’
Idiom: spit it out (used idiomatically: yes)
Some children have little idea of how to chew and so parents demonstrating biting and chewing and talking about it shows the child how to do it . Good rotary chewing does not develop until around 2½ years of age . Many young children chew meat into small balls and then spit it out ( Howard 1984 ) . Some children get worried or feel uncomfortable because they fail to chew and then try to swallow large lumps of food which cause them to gag and vomit . Careful observation of how the child manages pieces of solid food can be very informative .
Idiom: go the distance (used idiomatically: no)
It says if it was travelling at a constant speed of fifty miles an hour . It does n't , sometimes it goes more slowly sometimes it goes more quickly , sometimes it stops but because it takes two hours to do the hundred miles we say its average speed for the journey is fifty miles per hour . Its real speed changes during the journey sometimes it is more than fifty miles per hour , sometimes less but in two hours it goes the same distance as it would if its speed was fifty miles per hour all the time . Oh . So we say its average speed is fifty miles per hour .
Idiom: say uncle (used idiomatically: no)
Yet within hours of giving birth both parents , as well as visiting grandparents , uncles , aunts and siblings , have attributed to this child unique family characteristics . ‘ He 's got his father 's nose ’ they mutter fondly . ‘ Look at that expression — it 's Uncle Harold ! ’ they 'll say or ‘ She 's the spitting image of her mum ’ . Day-old babies suddenly take on almost adult qualities . They have , suggest relatives , their father 's temper , mother 's nature and grandmother 's charm .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
Subsection ( 2)(a ) refers to the principal amount of each sterling deposit ‘ made by him.’ This assumes that a depositor is the person who will have made the deposit in question . It assumes that the person to whom the institution has a liability ( ‘ the liability of the institution to him’ ) is one and the same person as the person who made the deposit ( ‘ in respect of … each sterling deposit which was made by him’ ) . Subsection ( 1 ) is consistent with this . The same assumption appears in section 60(6 ) .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: yes)
Sunderland has n't yet achieved the fame it deserves for being Britain 's newest city nowhere is it to be seen on York station 's platform timetables . Regardless , a 12-minute delay before I had started and the pound signs were ringing up . But despite a minor stoppage outside splendid sunlit Durham , you could feel the power of the new class 91 locomotives clawing back at the clock on the run in to Newcastle . We arrived just nine minutes late within the ten minute target outlined in the charter . I queued up at the travel centre to pick up my copy .
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
We had to sell the building because for years we operated it in the red .
Idiom: think twice (used idiomatically: yes)
Generally , by the end of the school year we culminate in a week on Dartmoor and by this time the boys have confidence in their ability and have learned the skills necessary to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors , keeping within the Country Code . Please be patient , I work long and hard making sure these boys get there in the end . There is a tendency to get annoyed when you meet over - noisy kids in the countryside but hopefully after reading your letter people will think twice before condemning their behaviour . CANOEING CONVERT I am the delighted winner of the Outdoor Action Splash competition and I 'd just like to say that Andy Middleton and his colleagues gave us a great time on our week 's holiday at the Twr - y - Felin outdoor centre .
Idiom: play games (used idiomatically: no)
oh my god . Well hard . That was well funny last time , you see me in a room , we 're playing er games . I , I say a word Yeah .
Idiom: on and off (used idiomatically: yes)
So fitting sound locks is basic common sense . It 's not difficult to appear to be in , when you 're actually out . Consider fitting a timeswitch that will turn lights or a radio on and off . And of course , cancel papers and milk while you 're away . Keep valuables like TVs and video equipment out of sight and make a note of their serial numbers .
Idiom: rough and ready (used idiomatically: yes)
Quantifying the value of your lost pension rights is a particularly difficult task . The Government Actuary 's Department prepared a document in 1980 which sets out a suggested basis for making the calculation and this was supplemented ten years later by recommendations from a committee of industrial tribunal chairmen . While an industrial tribunal may err if it misinterprets these guidelines , the Employment Appeal Tribunal has emphasised that , for all the potential complexity , the assessment of compensation is inevitably a rough - and - ready exercise . Loss of employment protection rights You will generally be awarded a sum in respect of your lost industrial rights , ie because you have to requalify for the right not to be unfairly dismissed .
Idiom: hold someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ But now you will.’ Corbett had no choice but told her from the beginning of the events at Godstowe . Maeve heard him out , quietly holding his hand . ‘ This Dame Agatha,’ she asked pointedly , ‘ is she beautiful?’ ‘ Yes , almost as beautiful as you.’
Idiom: shut the door on (used idiomatically: yes)
That was probably all she had left to be proud of — she was still alive . Then the man and I left . When we got outside , I was n't sure whether to shut the door on the latch or leave it ajar for the nurse . I asked him what I should do . ‘ What do you normally do?’ he asked .
Idiom: go to the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
In 1983 America was responsible for one quarter of the world 's consumption of primary fuel , 25 % of the oil , 19 % of the coal , 32 % of the gas and 34 % of the nuclear power generation . Where America is heading in economic and energy terms is central to any view of the world energy future . Economic growth averaging some 3 % per year is likely to the end of the century , despite current measures to curb the huge budget deficit and the probability of periodic banking crises as financial institutions , many of them over - extended by loans to energy producers , go to the wall . Continuing energy efficiency gains will be effected however , which will hold energy demand growth down to slightly less than half the level of economic growth . This means an increase of some 30 % in energy consumption by the year 2000 .
Idiom: pigs might fly (used idiomatically: no)
The children love it . But trampolining wo n't be catching on with the other animals . Pigs might fly — but Crackle the pot - bellied Vietnamese will have none of it . ( ad lib ) When it comes to motor sport Central South boasts the best in Britain … the world … this coming weekend could see Nigel Mansell and the Williams team from Didcot in Oxfordshire win the formula one championship … while from Banbury comes news of a revolution in rally driving which could take the Prodrive team to the top …
Idiom: hot air (used idiomatically: yes)
JACKIE STEWART / Former World Champion Voice over A race held across land , on water and through the air came up with an unlikely winner , when a steamroller took on a hot air balloon and a narrow boat to see which was the fastest . Richard Barnett was at the finishing line . UPTON UPON SEVERN Worcestershire
Idiom: hold the line (used idiomatically: no)
Alas , none of this was achieved as by 1820 his health had begun to suffer and , despite his strong constitution , worries and constant exposure to the elements had worn it down . He died on 29th April 1823 and was buried on 3rd May at Grasmere . His wife 's words in the Family Bible , to which Roeder had access , held the following lines : - ' My beloved husband died after a lingering illness on 29th April at 18 minutes past 4 o'clock in the morning … if he would have lived to the 25th August , he would have been 63 years old . ' He was survived by four daughters and six sons , as well as his wife .
Idiom: catch someone's eye (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Thank you for seeing us . My friends are very anxious that there should be no difference between their people and the Mamur Zapt , and will do all they can to see that things go no further , at least for the time being . Unfortunately —’ he caught Owen ' s eye meaningfully —‘they can not answer for others.’ With the usual extended Arabic farewells , the party was shown out . Owen accompanied them to the front entrance himself .
Idiom: song and dance (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 'd be very grateful if you 'd even try , Stevens . Awfully decent of you . Look here , there 's no need to make a song and dance of it . Just convey the basic facts and be done with it . Simple approach is the best , that 's my advice , Stevens.’
Idiom: pissed off (used idiomatically: yes)
The things is though , I was saying , Are you sure , I mean you do n't know what c contacts made so you do n't know how tall she was . You do n't know how tall John was when he you know . And he 's really pissed off . John who ? John .
Idiom: all things being equal (used idiomatically: no)
Equity can be played down : ' I do n't know if it should be that important if everything we do is based on good sound scientific principles , because if people perhaps in the same industry are situated in different places in the estuary , y'know , if one was to point the finger at the other and say ' But you allow him to discharge such and such and you only let us do this ' , then we should be able to turn round and say , ' Ah yes , but you 're discharging in a different place and the river quality in this different place needs different treatment . ' … I think you can only treat them similarly if all other things are equal , if they 're discharging into the same sort of watercourse in the same sort of position . Because obviously if you had one particular factory on the tideway and another producing an identical product and identical effluent in one of the tributaries , you could n't treat them the same because they 're patently different cases . ' On this ' scientific ' view of standard setting , the design of consents to discharge polluted water is to be based on a dispassionate consideration of the amount and kind of pollution load any watercourse can bear .
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
Well what does she do ? Guess ca n't you ? She rings the bell , she rings . And she She co
Idiom: till the cows come home (used idiomatically: yes)
Learning to ride Tara proved a big challenge for Mark . ‘ They 're not like a horse where you have a rein . With an elephant you can kick it till the cows come home but it 's not going to worry about it . It 's a question of the elephant getting used to your voice and feel . You have to develop that relationship because they can take advantage of you when ever and where ever they want.’
Idiom: wide of the mark (used idiomatically: yes)
It was like being in the Twilight zone . ’ Woking expect 4,000 fans to travel to what should be Brighton 's biggest gate of the season . Wide of the mark INDIA 'S six-wicket victory over a South African President 's XI in Pietermaritzburg last night was marred by unruly crowd scenes . The day-night match finished with both teams fleeing from the pitch after home captain Peter Rawson , by prior arrangement with umpires and batsmen , deliberately bowled four byes .
Idiom: on the face of it (used idiomatically: yes)
Rule utilitarianism is often advocated , on grounds of fairness , as necessary to counter the excuses of the ' free rider ' who does not bother to stick to a moral rule because enough others are doing so to produce its benefits . The usual objection to rule utilitarianism is that if the sole point of a rule is to promote happiness it seems only sensible to jettison it when more happiness is gained thereby . On the face of it , this criticism carries the day against any rule utilitarianism which is genuinely distinguishable from act utilitarianism . The issue is complicated , however , by the variety of forms which rule utilitarianism can take . [ LYONS , SCHEFFLER . ]
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
Retail , which refuses to disclose the terms of the deal , was set up last year with £10m of City capital and is headed by Malcolm Parkinson , the former B & Q managing director . Mr Parkinson says Gardenstore , with 11 outlets on more than 66 acres , ‘ is one of the top four garden centre chains in turnover and number of sites , and largest in square footage terms ’ . John Kennedy , former B & Q financial and systems director , is also on the Retail board along with Alan Greensides , former buying and merchandising director at the DIY concern . They believe the garden centre business is at the same stage of development as DIY was a decade ago . A spokesman said : ‘ The industry is highly fragmented and business will be growing through acquisitions for some time .
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: no)
I am told that Piper were so glad to land this important order that they only charged an additional £ 5 per aircraft for the modification . Being an ex - Hamble aircraft , I am glad to say that G - ARJU , the example flown for this article , has civilised elevator and rudder trims . Electric switches of the tumbler type are in a row along the bottom of the captain 's panel and the battery master is banished to an out - of - sight position low down on the pedestal where you have to feel for it . Private pilots who have never flown anything bigger than a C172 or a Warrior could without trouble convince themselves they were sitting on the flight deck of an airliner . Apart from the non - standard flight instruments the Apache has a convenient office and one rapidly feels at home .
Idiom: run into the sand (used idiomatically: yes)
It is to show that Britain does not really have a constitution at all , merely a system of government , even if some parts of it are more important to our democratic order than others or are treated ( perhaps : were treated until Mrs Thatcher 's time ) with greater veneration . It may be embarrassing to explain that , as in the nursery tale , the Emperor has no clothes after all , that the constitutional attire his courtiers claim to see is empty words , but that is the essential of this article . Unless we face up to that fact , moreover , any discussion of how we can safeguard certain democratic arrangements that we regarded as part of the British ‘ constitution’ in the past ( e.g. the independence of local government ) or entrench others ( e.g. a Bill of Rights ) against an ‘ elective dictatorship’will run into the sand . Constitutions and their Characteristics Use of the word constitution as the manner in which a polity is organised , the main characteristic of its governmental system , is undoubtedly the historic one .
Idiom: in stitches (used idiomatically: yes)
Near Lynn Setterington 's ' Whitework Quilt ' , for example , was an 18th century gentleman 's waistcoat , also whitework . The texts at the beginning of the exhibition explained that the purpose of these juxtapositions was to ' reflect the long established practice of studying old work for instruction ' . In fact , Lynn Setterington 's quilt , with its motifs sketched in tiny running stitches appeared to have more in common with the Bangladeshi Kantha tradition , or Northumbrian quilts , than the clothes of the British aristocracy . Out of the Frame claims to show the work of avant - garde embroiderers , unconcerned with tradition . Yet not only does it summon up that tradition , it physically presents it .
Idiom: new blood (used idiomatically: yes)
You 'll find it 's a terrible bore’— he began a systematic investigation of the de Chavigny empire : the jewellery company , its workshops and showrooms in Europe and America ; the estates and vineyards in the Loire and in Algeria ; the stockholdings ; the capital assets ; the property the Baron had retained in France and abroad . Everywhere he found the same thing : elderly employees , attempting to run things as they thought the old baron would have wanted , out of touch with new ideas , fearful of taking any decision on their own , and consequently stalling , allowing problems to build up . No new blood had come into the affairs of de Chavigny for years : everywhere Edouard found stagnation and apathy . It was as if a great machine had been left running so long that no one had noticed , or cared , that it was running down . After the execution of Xavier de Chavigny , the German High Command had taken over the house and gardens at St - Cloud and used the beautiful late - seventeenth - century mansion to quarter troops .
Idiom: close shave (used idiomatically: yes)
Burford 's Trevor Smith … held on and held out in the worst of conditions to come home in twenty eighth spot … Kevin Williams of Hereford … was only a few seconds behind him Our camera … got the closest shave and nearly crashed in the middle of the forest … So top marks to all the local club drivers who managed to keep on road Steve Claridge of Witney made it from start to finish …
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: no)
I wondered if this had been the right place to come at all . From our mooring at the pier , panting in the heat , we walked up a long steep , straight track , which led to the main village where accommodation in private houses was to be allocated ; there were no hotels or pensiones . The Handbook suggested a Ricardo Quispe Mamani who also had a small restaurant on the main square . His heavily built wife showed me my room and soon I was on the end of a bench in the small dark restaurant , supping soup with the few day - trippers ; listening to their stories . ' There was a field of women working and I thought , that 'll make a good photograph , ' the camera - bereft girl began .
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
Once he had tried to extract so much from her , and not just details of the Tace affair . She was the key to a past he needed to understand . Dadda 's temper , that he had inherited along with Dadda 's darkness and Dadda 's height , had got the better of him and he had attacked her , physically attacked her . But that was more than half his lifetime ago . He got up .
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
It was a simple mistake . After all , what 's a wing tip and a Continent between friends ? The Chancellor often felt like a rare bird , he said , facing a barrage of flashbulbs every time he emerged from his Downing Street nest . ‘ A North African Pallas ' Sandgrouse perhaps,’ said the avid bird watcher . Perhaps it was just wishful thinking .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
In hotels as expensive as this , even the waiters appear to float , and all activity is reduced to a succession of discreet gestures , endorsing luxury and profligacy . Schiffer is used to all this . She is said to possess 10,000 photogenic expressions but , for the time being , she simply sips thoughtfully at her iced Perrier and reflects for possibly the thousandth time on what it actually means to be described as The Most Beautiful Woman in the World . ‘ When I was growing up , I never thought about my looks and I never seem to get used to talking about my features . I 'd sooner think about my insides than think about my face or my body .
Idiom: behind closed doors (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's not enough to imply , as Jack Hibbert did , that protests are being made to ministers behind the scenes . It 's understood that he has now been twice to complain to the Prime Minister that ministers are trying to make his staff do things he finds improper . Brownie points for guts , if true ; but public confidence is not going to be restored in the integrity of official information unless it is seen to be properly independent of the government machine that is now exerting its improper pressures behind closed doors . Deaths : Sammy Fain : in Los Angeles aged 87 : one of the last tunesmiths who peddled their songs from the back of trucks and in the dingy hallways of Tin Pan Alley . Like Irving Berlin , Fain became part of that group of early 20th - century American songwriters with a talent for producing simple melodies that remained popular decades after they were first heard .
Idiom: dead and buried (used idiomatically: yes)
Also in the same year he bequeathed £ 20 a year , the rent from the property known as Gassons in Snodland , to be used to provide great coats for the poor inhabitants of the same parishes . In recent years this charity has been kept alive when funds allow , with the distribution of vouchers for those considered needy . These charities were originally administered by the Church or trustees appointed by the old vestry meetings , but with the Local Government Act of 1894 , they passed into the hands of the new parish councils , or such as still existed , for in 1893 , we find the local vicar complaining that most of the charities were dead and buried , and that Thomas Towers promised to give twenty shillings each Christmas Day , very kind of him no doubt , but unfortunately he left no provision for anybody to give it after he was dead , so that in his case he and benefaction are both dead and buried . He goes on to state that the great coat charity is alive and is charged to Holborough Court Estate and was paid until his death by William Lee Esq . and has since been paid by Col . Roberts .