Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
Her back was towards him , he walked forward with the glass cold and wet , fishlike , in his hand . He wanted to touch her , to feel the rough hand - knitted cardigan , the warmth . He saw her raise her arm to touch the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief , and when she turned her head the features were blurred like a lump of clay when the wet cloth is removed . He stepped back in horror and the glass splintered on the tiles . When the bundle of clothes hit the ground it was the dog who realised first that there was something inside , also broken and crumpled , and after the dog came the children , who revolved round the heap , fascinated , until one noticed the blood and began to scream , and adults arrived to remove them from whatever it was that lay on the concrete .
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
The Countess told me that on arrival at the hospital after his death , she spent half an hour alone , sitting by his bed , just talking to him . She was very calm when she rang me from the hospital asking for her mourning clothes . ‘ I feel so disrespectful in bright red , ’ she said . When I arrived at Althorp the housekeeper , Joyce Cole , told me that she had orders banning me from touching anything in the house . I told her that I would n't be leaving without her ladyship 's mourning clothes .
Idiom: take someone to the cleaners (used idiomatically: yes)
By Martyn Williams in Lille THERE have been few hiding places for the French coach Jacques Fouroux since the embarrassment of defeat against Australia at Strasbourg . His team , World Cup finalists and dotted with household idols , were taken to the cleaners by a bunch of Australian students and farmers in the first Test , and the second Test at Lille promises to be not only a trial of Fouroux 's incumbency as coach but also his tactical shrewdness in selection . In dropping Pierre Berbizier ( his captain and until last Saturday his likely successor as coach ) , Serge Blanco , Laurent Rodriguez and every commentator 's nightmare , Jean Condom , Fouroux 's guillotine has been severe . Nine fancied Frenchmen were disposed of , yet , rather than introduce a new regime , Fouroux has opted in most cases for rejuvenated blood .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
And a pilot has desperately tried to fight off highjackers seconds before his aircraft smashed into two other jets on the ground at China 's Canton airport . One hundred and twenty people are thought to be dead and more than fifty are injured in what 's thought to be China 's worst air disaster . And Sheffield Crown Court has heard how a man allegedly kidnapped and raped his wife ; the man who ca n't be named for legal reasons , was separated from her at the time of the supposed attack , and the case is making legal history . The weather for the Fox F M area : the evening will start dry and cloudy but outbreaks of rain will reach the area later on . The rain is going to continue overnight with heavy rain in places and mists developing over the Cotswolds and the Chilterns .
Idiom: kicking and screaming (used idiomatically: no)
I saw it happen , and I could n't do a thing to help them . It just sucked them in as if that wall was made of … mud or something . They thrashed around , kicked and screamed and begged me to help … but I could n't move . Flannery was the first to go completely . His face was stuck to the wall .
Idiom: to boot (used idiomatically: yes)
In the past decade , supermarkets have developed flourishing bakery operations largely in response to customer demand . resourcing manager [ Retail]at J Sainsbury plc , outlines the implications this process has had for Sainsbury 's management training practices . Many years ago , supermarket bread acquired a reputation which has proved almost impossible to shake off ; any colour you like as long as it is white , and probably thin sliced and steamed to boot . In truth , this image was never entirely fair , but it is a testament to our ability to respond to customer demand that , today , a visit to any supermarket bakery is likely to offer you the choice and quality to rival that of any traditional bakers . This , it has to be said , has been in no small part due to the advent of the in - store bakery ; a concept which has really taken off over the last 10 years .
Idiom: on the ground (used idiomatically: yes)
The remaining part of the night was spent lying in a trench near the centre of the orchard reflecting on the happenings of the day . Lovat badly wounded , probably dead by this time ! Certainly , judging by his appearance as he lay on the ground , I did not give much for his chances . As I stared up at the clear sky from the bottom of the trench , my mind drifted back to Achnacarry and Fiona . I could see her face very clearly in the wisp of cloud that was now making its way across the sky .
Idiom: pull the plug (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ After tumour removal , you can actually check the boundaries of the site and see the extent of removal,’ he comments . Britain abandons power from hot rocks TECHNICAL problems and high projected costs have persuaded the British government to pull the plug on any immediate plans to tap the heat of the Earth for power generation . The Department of Energy has announced that support for the UK 's current 14-year research and development programme into geothermal energy will be scaled down dramatically , involving the loss of 50 to 60 jobs . The UK has extensive geothermal resources and its research into this form of renewable energy is the most advanced in the world .
Idiom: in black and white (used idiomatically: yes)
Coffin sat at his desk , surrounded by the material that Evans had collected in Essex . Photocopies , for the most part , of the originals . On his right hand he had a pile in black and white of various comics : Horror Gothic ; The Torturer ; The Monthly Guide to the Underground . He could only speculate what they would have been like in colour . A plentiful supply of red , he guessed .
Idiom: throw in the towel (used idiomatically: yes)
Popular usage decimates literary elite . By John Ezard AN elite corps of transatlantic guardians of the English language has thrown in the towel . Its rearguard battle to discourage solecisms such as the use of ‘ aggravate’ to mean ‘ irritate’and ‘ decimate’to mean ‘ slaughter most of’is to be abandoned . The panel of 175 distinguished authors , scholars , broadcasters and public figures regards correct usage as no longer worth fighting for and trivial , according to a poll of its views to be published on January 8 .
Idiom: break ranks (used idiomatically: yes)
I have for a long time been suspicious of the doctrine of gradualism in politics and the foibles of the Foreign Office , which uses the double - speak of diplomacy , as I saw in the Anglo - Irish diktat and now smell in Maastricht . We have been assured that major European policy decisions , especially on foreign affairs , will have to be unanimous . However , as has already been mentioned , Germany quickly broke ranks with the rest of the EC and the world over Croatia , which led , in the words of our Foreign Secretary , to’ an acceptable compromise’ . Perhaps we can find some hidden logic if we compare Chancellor Kohl 's statement of 28 November when he said:’ European economic and political union is irreversible.’ His headlong flight to recognise Croatian independence also helped lead to the fragmentation of Yugoslavia — a part of Europe .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
He 's been working his time man . Ah ! That 's out of order . Ah nah ! Ah ha ah !
Idiom: now or never (used idiomatically: yes)
Looking up into Joe 's face , Michael felt a moment of terror at what he had to do . Then , seeing the softness in Joe 's eyes , he swallowed heavily . It was now or never . Placing his hand on the top of Joe 's thigh , he gently brushed his knuckles against the man 's groin . Joe stared down at the large , rough hand gently rubbing against him .
Idiom: in the club (used idiomatically: yes)
The forest does not offer the grazing typical of animal husbandry , however , and neither the plants nor the animals of domestication are forest organisms . Pre - agricultural man as a forest dweller would have left no trace , although , like D'Arcy Thompson , who argued that sacred groves , as revered in many tropical countries today , were the inspiration for columned buildings ( hence the Greek temple and all modern architecture ) , it has been entertainingly argued by Corner that traces of forest life are embedded in modern society . He considers that the range of form in Pacific war clubs shows a gradation from the wrenched - up sapling , with its roots as spikes , to the mace of regalia . The digging stick of the forest becomes a spade , still with a wooden handle ; lianes lead to ropes and string , bark and palm fibre to textiles , palm leaves to thatching and bamboos to piping . But the trick of firing the forest and thus a mechanism for massive clearing , is associated with seasonal forest , where man must have first made his mark .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
' It 's an idea I have . Something I 've been working on . ' Shepherd turned his head slightly and studied his son a moment . ' You seemed quite confident . Almost as if the thing existed . '
Idiom: anything goes (used idiomatically: yes)
Practically Speaking Speak out ! Have your say in Practical PC 's letters forum . Anything goes , of course , so get pen to paper ( or better still , fingers to keyboard ) and write to : Practically Speaking , X or A ? Sir : Thanks for a great magazine , I am glad there is a magazine out now that caters for us home users as well , instead of just for the corporate buyers with deep pockets . I found your motherboard upgrade article most interesting as I have been thinking of upgrading my XT , but I had not bargained for changing the keyboard as I have a 102 key board ( no XT / AT switch ) .
Idiom: off the hook (used idiomatically: yes)
Michael Heseltine , the Board of Trade President , joyfully grasped Mr Major 's arm and a beaming Chancellor Norman Lamont leaped to his feet to join in the celebration . Junior ministers sitting behind wildly slapped Mr Major on the back . Others unashamedly hugged each other as they realised the Government was off the hook , if only for the moment . European Minister Tristan Garel - Jones embraced Mr Ryder as though his team had just scored the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final . Mr Major 's bacon was saved by 19 Liberal Democrat votes .
Idiom: save someone's bacon (used idiomatically: yes)
This is a witty , thoughtful , provocative film in which two women of colour exuberantly explore what it means to be black and beautiful . Then there was the world premiere of the latest film by Cone Serreau , France 's top - grossing director , due to her smash hit Trois hommes et un couffin , re - made as Three Men and a Baby . Her latest film Romuald et Juliette is about the extraordinary goings - on in a yoghurt manufacturing company which brings together the white boss and the Black night - cleaner who saves his bacon . This French comedy , bound to be controversial , depended on the very same stereotypes Serreau claims to be subverting . For example , Juliette — a Black mammy ' figure caring for five kids all with different fathers .
Idiom: lend a hand (used idiomatically: yes)
They were still far away out on the woods — still lost . We 're Brownie Guides , we 're Brownie Guides , We 're here to Lend a Hand … The opening words of the Brownie song flashed through her mind . She would n't be a real Brownie if she flew home and left them stranded out on the snowy woods .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
On her resignation when leaving Henley , the Ladies ' Section wrote to the Bondholders Committee suggesting it invite bondholder Mrs. Lorna Bloxam ( née Simmons — she married in 1951 ) , to be the replacement . This was done in March 1959 and Lorna served for 17 years until 1976 , her 65th year of membership . ( She joined the Club in 1910 , aged 13 ) , she was also Ladies ' President for many years and made an Honorary Member in 1965 ) . In 1954 the Hon . Secretary , Mr. F.R. Henderson , resigned after nine years to be replaced by two Joint Hon .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . There 's a form penicillin in that . What sometimes happens you s it sometimes comes up to a wee yellow head . Aye . And when it does that , you can put a needle in there and just all the stuff comes out all the
Idiom: take someone's word for it (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ But would you have bothered?’ Kate again asked bitterly . ‘ No , I think it would have been easier just to take his word for it that I 'd boobed , fallen down on the job . After all I 'm only a girl , and not really important!’ Her bitter sarcasm at last appeared to make Mike think again .
Idiom: at the crossroads (used idiomatically: yes)
In general , the latter tended to experience economic ( and demographic ) decline and to place all hope of arresting this in the improvement of their communications . The former did not invariably experience substantial development as commercial centres — some railway centres were better located than others — but were better placed to market their own products and to develop economically , even though Le Mans developed at the expense of Alençon , for example , and Orlèans , Besançon and Montpellier all lost some of their traditional importance in the wine trade , the last losing out to Béziers and Nîmes which were at junctions in the railway network . Position on main rather than on secondary rail routes and especially at crossroads in the network ( nodal points ) was an important factor for growth . It was in the mid 1840s that the full implications of the potential for the new transport system sank in . Britain 's railway companies laid increasing emphasis on freight , in pursuit of the dictum of Captain Mark Huish of the London and North - Western Railway : ' Quantity is the essential element of Railway success . '
Idiom: see the elephant (used idiomatically: no)
Section 214b , in my opinion one of the stranger provisions of the Land of Schleswig - Holstein 's General Administrative Code , seems to imply that somebody who sees a pink elephant must give it a receipt .
Idiom: old hat (used idiomatically: no)
Only one person was brave enough , fool enough , to address her as ' Mrs Badcock ' , a name she hated ; that was their obstreperous old neighbour , Prebendary Denzil Porkadder . He had climbed on a garden seat to peer over the wall at their activities . Although she could see he wore pyjamas , he had on his head as usual his old straw hat with its black band . ' Are you fornicating with those persons , Mrs Badcock ? They 're not Oxford people , are they ? '
Idiom: turn the corner (used idiomatically: no)
Yet the appeal of the brand appears undimmed . That , above all , underpins the confidence of new chief executive Jim Maxmin . Yesterday 's figures suggest that the corner has been turned . The pre - tax outcome for the year to January was still a hefty £ 9.1 m loss — down from a restated £ 11½m deficit — and the £ 10 m drop in the interest bill owes much to the £ 30 m equity injection from Japan 's Aeon Group . But operating profits improved in the second half and the company can take some credit for the reduction in gearing to just 5 p.c .
Idiom: on the ball (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We have a good promotion chance and my form has been very consistent . ‘ In the past , I got too hyped up because I wanted to do well . I was nervous on the ball and made mistakes . ‘ I have felt the benefit of a more relaxed approach this season.’ Lawrence should receive a terrific welcome from Charlton fans , who respect his tremendous nine - year service with the London club .
Idiom: small print (used idiomatically: yes)
Its estimated that about 20 per cent of your total contributions to the average insurance company scheme go towards expenses . Of these , up to three quarters of your contributions in the first year will go as commission to the broker or sales representative . Though the insurance companies make promises of very high investment returns , the small print will make clear that these are not guaranteed . Check the past investment record as well as the promises . And remember that the benefits wo n't usually change with inflation — so a figure that looks more like a telephone number now than a pension may be much smaller , in real terms , when you retire .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
You want a relatively slow but controlled and permanent solution to your weight problem . The methods we have outlined will ensure that your will - power is strong enough for you to attain your goals . TAKING STOCK OF YOUR SITUATION What kind of preparation do you normally make for starting a diet or healthier eating or new exercise regime ? Many people launch themselves into their new plans with no preparation at all .
Idiom: Bob's your uncle (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ It 's against the law to squash people under steamrollers.’ ‘ Just run him down with your car,’ suggested Nigel . ‘ You 'll get away with a fine and Bob 's your uncle.’ ‘ And if you can prove you need your car for work they wo n't take your licence away,’ Elinor added . Well , that would n't apply to Otley but it is the safest way to murder somebody .
Idiom: take the plunge (used idiomatically: yes)
Malcolm , an engineer , started training for his microlight pilot 's licence in 1987 , and several hours solo flying , three written exams , and ‘ General Flying Test’ later he obtained the magical piece of paper allowing him to ‘ commit aviation’ ! We began flying together in a Raven flew - wing microlight that we owned , and spent two very happy years flying around Buckinghamshire / Oxfordshire in her . In the Spring of 1990 we decided to take the plunge and build our own fixed - wing microlight - under the guidance / regulation of the Popular Flying Association and with help from the MW builders club . Work started first on the boom , struts , fuselage and seat support assembly . By Easter 1991 the above were well on the way , and the wheels had also been fitted .
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: no)
But in December 1985 , John suffered a setback . He developed an allergy to a powerful , broad - spectrum antibiotic he had been given to treat an attack of bronchitis . He lost a lot of weight and the purple - black lesions on his skin ( a tell - tale symptom of AIDS ) began to spread . He also suffered bouts of depression and confusion . The doctors rated his chances as virtually nil .
Idiom: read between the lines (used idiomatically: yes)
Security was tighter than ever . Liza could only suppose that , with her husband 's mechanical knowledge , the powers that be had woken up to the fact that he would be more than useful in what she referred to as ‘ an active capacity’ . Harriet , reading between the lines , knew exactly what her daughter meant . John was being put in readiness for going ‘ over there’ , so that middle - aged women like herself could sit at home working at petit - point and , hopefully , growing a little food . The next morning , as Harriet looked out on to a calmer sea , she switched on her wireless to hear that the Second Front had begun .
Idiom: on the back of (used idiomatically: yes)
Jed 's room had a raunchy , hot , savage smell . So might smell the den of some great carnivore , thought Jasper , where the floor was stickily carpeted in dried blood and littered with licked bones . He fumbled about on the table , felt in the pockets of the odorous hawk - training jacket which hung on the back of the door , told his sister to try the cupboard . She opened the door a little fearfully , but giggling now . Her giggles became a scream , a short sharp shriek like the sound the hawk made .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: no)
Their voices were faint at this distance , but they could be seen gesturing towards the company . A tall , dark figure who had no pole moved amongst them issuing commands , and slowly the flatboat drew over to the bank . Bicker reined in his horse , and the rest followed suit , the Myrcans sliding their staves out of their belts . ‘ River traders,’ said Ratagan . ‘ Not pirates .
Idiom: tongue in cheek (used idiomatically: yes)
Greg had first read it as ' Homosexual ' , and that of course was the joke . Heterosexuality among English writers , it was being implied , was so much the exception to the rule as to demand special treatment . The whole of the introduction was a solemnly tongue - in - cheek exposition of this notion , though Greg had the impression that later the joke rather ran out of steam ( as the book very nearly did run out of authors to treat ) . The Ern Malley Affair , a slimmer volume , was an examination of a famous Australian literary hoax of the mid-'forties , in which bogus poems of impenetrable obscurity were foisted on a literary magazine . It was not clear why the matter deserved a book to itself .
Idiom: twist someone's arm (used idiomatically: yes)
A demand for ‘ reasonable’ access , i.e. one evening , one week - end day and six week - ends per annum staying access . The client had wanted either custody or to see his child every day . ‘ I do n't want to feel I 've twisted your arm,’ said lawyer B to the visibly shattered client . He explained that he was tailoring his demands to what a court would regard as reasonable and be likely to allow . ( 3 )
Idiom: in a nutshell (used idiomatically: yes)
They have known Jesus as their Paraclete ( we will examine the meaning of the word in a moment ) during his ministry . He has dwelt with them , but the one whom he promises as another Paraclete will dwell in them ( John 14:17 ) . There it is in a nutshell . The Spirit universalises the presence of Jesus in the hearts of disciples . The Spirit as Paraclete
Idiom: in the saddle (used idiomatically: yes)
They often stormed and burned ostrogi , soon realizing that the ‘ thunder and lightning’ weapons were slow . Indeed , the primitive matchlocks could only be discharged a maximum of sixteen times during a whole day of battle . In the cavalry skirmishes against Kalmyk , Kirgiz or Mongol horsemen , who almost lived in the saddle and were ‘ a numerous , highly manoeuvrable and well armed foe , a serious and dangerous enemy’ , Russian firepower proved of very little advantage . It was most useful in defensive positions . A specifically military form of life was characteristic for practically all areas of southern Siberia .
Idiom: down the drain (used idiomatically: yes)
The elderly régisseurlooked around the vast cellars in despair . ‘ It 's of no consequence . Pour it down the drains if necessary . I will not have such wine sold under the de Chavigny label.’ He paused , feeling a momentary pity for the old man .
Idiom: look before you leap (used idiomatically: yes)
Russia and the Kosovo ~ Card TBILISI – Look before you leap is as sound a principle in foreign ~ policy as it is in life . Yet , once again , the Bush administration is preparing to leap into the unknown . Even though lack of foresight is universally viewed as a leading cause of its Iraq debacle , the United ~ States ( with British backing probable ) is now preparing to recognize Kosovo 's independence unilaterally – irrespective of the consequences for Europe and the world .
Idiom: every last (used idiomatically: yes)
David Adams was out of work and money was tight . He left the family car in the garage and cycled 12 miles to a supermarket to save 50p on groceries . David and wife Catherine had scraped together every last penny to ensure their sons , Stuart , Richard , baby Thomas and Mark,(from left in picture ) would have the happiest Christmas possible . But less than half a mile from his home in Witney , Oxfordshire , 42-year - old Mr Adams was knocked off his bike and run over by a van . He died in the arms of a passing motorist .