Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: way to go (used idiomatically: no)
By Anna Tomforde in East Berlin BY electing new and reform - minded leaders , East Germany 's Communist party hopes to have won a breathing space in its battle for credibility and survival , six months before the first free elections are due to be held . The new chairman , Dr Gregor Gysi , told an emergency party congress at the weekend that the SED had made a start in ‘ breaking with Stalinism,’ but added that there was still a long way to go in ‘ overcoming Stalinist structures’ . By electing Dr Gysi by an overwhelming majority , the SED rank - and - file made a radical break with the past , rallying behind the party and its call for a ‘ democratic renewal of socialism’ . The SED underlined its willingness to leave behind old structures and traditions by abolishing both the politburo and the central committee .
Idiom: take a back seat (used idiomatically: yes)
Back home they are celebrating 200 years but that seems nothing compared to her . ‘ Your architecture reflects the history too , you have things like Roman walls and roads , we have nothing like that,’ she added . As the relentless publicity machinery of pop set about building Kylie into the perfectly - packaged star , however , the cerebral was taking a back seat to the sensational . Like every creation of the music business , Kylie relied on hype and headlines to stoke up interest in her and her music . And by the spring of 1988 , the column inches devoted to her in Britain 's tabloids were adding up to miles .
Idiom: on the ground (used idiomatically: yes)
And in Bardera , where the population has swelled from 10,000 to 60,000 as the hungry arrive in search of food , huge sacks of maize and cereal are reaching thousands more . It has n't been easy . CARE workers on the ground are constantly shadowed by armed guards . In this country that has been ravaged by civil war even more than by drought , security is shaky . Bandits
Idiom: live wire (used idiomatically: no)
A SCHOOLBOY miraculously survived a 25,000-volt electric shock after vandals booby - trapped a railway bridge . Stunned police hunting the maniacs who rigged up the deadly device said the 13-year - old should have been killed instantly . But lucky Craig Harris escaped with bruises and minor burns after being thrown into the air as he accidently touched a live wire attached to overhead power cables . He was crossing a railway bridge used by hundreds of other youngsters on their way to school at Witham , Essex , when the current blasted through his body . ‘ I was just tapping my hand along the bridge parapet when my eyes went orange .
Idiom: to a turn (used idiomatically: no)
Both very meticulous players , they had fallen more than one hole behind and had been warned for slow play . The West German had lost his magic putting touch and was level par for the day . ' Manuel took 37 to the turn , ' Patrick reported to Richie . ' But he 's birdied the first four of the second nine . If he 's on a hot streak he could come home in twenty - nine . '
Idiom: not cricket (used idiomatically: no)
‘ I really have n't had a chance to press my claims and I sincerely believe I am pushing uphill to get back into the side for a long time . ’ ‘ I am devastated . The upsetting thing is that I am not going to get any real Sheffield Shield cricket to get back into enough form to earn a Test before this summer is over . ’ Captain Allan Border said : ‘ Obviously I feel a bit sorry for Jonesy because he 's been in the side for a long time . But , knowing him , he 'll fight back . ’
Idiom: take the mickey (used idiomatically: yes)
Well no - one ever knew that the fire alarms were going off . No - one at all . I think someone was just taking the mickey and kept setting them off . Well they went off twice . I think they must have done
Idiom: good riddance (used idiomatically: yes)
Feet running down the stairs ; Faye stood there , indignant , outraged : " Whatever is the matter ? " she called . " Jim — he 's gone , he 's gone . " " Good riddance , " said Faye , smartly , laughing . " We did n't want him anyway . Looking up , Alice could see , above Faye , Philip , whose face said that he heard this as — no doubt Faye wanted him to .
Idiom: up a gum tree (used idiomatically: yes)
If the answer turns out to be by a ‘ dock identification’(i.e . the witness is identified for the first time in court ) then it must be remembered that this procedure is potentially so unfair to the accused that the court of trial retains a discretion to prevent it ( Horsham JJ . , ex p. Bukhari ( 1984 ) 74 Cr . App . R. 291 ) . If the risk of this happening leaves the prosecutor up a gum tree , it is apparent that the Crown Prosecution Service may have an interest in ensuring that something has been done prior to trial to remove the need for a dock identification , whether the police can see a use for one or not . ( If the suspect , having been asked to do so , refuses to take part in a formal identification procedure the prosecutor is in the clear , as the refusal provides a justification for the dock identification : John [ 1973]Crim . L.R. 113 . ) The position is , of course , quite different if the witness knows the person concerned well enough to say : ‘ I was hit by a man I know well and whose name is Jack Spratt.’
Idiom: take the piss (used idiomatically: yes)
He goes it 's not funny , you ca n't take the piss out of all those poor people that died . I 'm not I 'm taking the piss out the way he said it . There 's a difference . Oh sure it 's still disrespectful .
Idiom: on the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
Black , white , pink and green peppercorns — which should be used and when ? Rosemary Moon has the answers . Whether your delicatessen is part of a hypermarket or superstore or a tiny shop packed with delights from around the world , this book will help you to explore the potential of the exciting variety of foods available on the shelves . JACKET PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN PLIMMER / RPM PHOTOGRAPHIC This book is for Ear'ole , who has been as enthusiastic about my shop as she has been about all the other things that I have tackled , and then begged her to help with .
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
In any case , the analyst can change his model at a later stage , even when mapping the model onto a database . Entities participate in functions of the organisation and the attributes are those data elements that are required to support the functions . The best rule of thumb is to ask whether the data element has information about it , in other words does it have attributes ? Entities and attributes are further distinguished by their role in events ( discussed below ) . A relationship in an entity model normally represents an association between two entities .
Idiom: save face (used idiomatically: yes)
Ian Wright ( No 8) heads Arsenal 's second with Wimbledon keeper Hans Segers caught off his line , LEICESTER 'S Tigers lived up to their nickname in an outstanding display against a Grand Slam England XV . Only two smart tries from winger Nigel Heslop saved England 's face as they edged home 18–11 . BRITAIN 'S top motorcycle rider Niall Mackenzie escaped with only a cut arm when he skidded into a fence at 80 mph during a practice session for today 's final and decisive South African Grand Prix . Wayne Rainey and Michael Doohan , separated by just two points in the title race , start side by side on the front row .
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: yes)
Would he care to have lunch with me to discuss certain aspects of the naval war ? He replied guardedly , what aspects ? I came clean : the incidents of the survivors of two schooners sunk by his submarine near Crete in 1941 . ‘ Is your view about them today the same as it was then or do you now feel you might have acted differently?’ I received a dusty answer .
Idiom: fall into place (used idiomatically: yes)
All set ? I think I should begin to get changed now if I were you . We want everybody to be ready to fall into their places five minutes before zero hour . ' I went over to my clothes on the empty bed . It was going to happen .
Idiom: pull the wool over someone's eyes (used idiomatically: yes)
" but I know what 's going on , and I know why I 'm here and why you 're here . Oh , yes , I 'm not stupid . You ca n't pull the wool over my eyes like that . I know what the score is , like they say , I may be thirty - sev — thirty - eight , but I 'm " switched on " all right —thirty - eight ge , and I know everything is n't " hunky - dory " the way people think it is . You may think it 's easy for you , and it might be , but I 'm not so easily fooled , oh no . "
Idiom: on the rocks (used idiomatically: yes)
' I must go back to the Hall now , and I shall tell him immediately . ' I said goodbye to the Stapletons , and continued on the path back to the Hall . I had been walking for only a few minutes when I was surprised to see Miss Stapleton sitting on a rock ahead of me . She was breathing quickly , and I realized she had run by a quicker way to get ahead of me . ' Dr Watson , ' she said .
Idiom: up the spout (used idiomatically: yes)
with my bill , bill , bill he knocked at the door with a rat a tat with a rat a tat , tat what else you know ? insy winsy spider climbing up the spout again What else , what else do you know ? insy winsy spider climbing up the spout
Idiom: black and blue (used idiomatically: yes)
But , if you asked me what I did during those months , I could n't come up with anything constructive.’ Another dark side to Crawford 's starring role on Broadway was a picket by American actors outside shows with British cast members . ‘ I 'm black and blue from head to toe,’ said Crawford then , ‘ I 've got eight pulled ligaments in my leg and bruises all over and , when I limp out of the theatre at night , these bloody bastards are walking up and down with signs saying ‘ English actors will be working next year — will you?’ . It 's depressing to feel you 're not wanted here.’ Slightly more diplomatically , he said , ‘ I sympathize .
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: yes)
Diaries out for all the US conferences and shows scheduled for the spring and summer : Object Expo , New York Hilton , April 19 to 23 ; Win - Dev , Boston University Corporate Education Center , April 26 to 30 ; DB / Expo 93 , Moscone Center , San Francisco , May 3 to 7 ; Unix Reseller Show , Dallas Convention Center , May 4 to 6 ; C++ in Industry , Boston University Corporate Development Center , May 24 to 26 ; Comdex Spring / Windows World , Atlanta Convention Center , May 24 to 28 ; NeXTWorld Expo , Moscone Center , San Francisco , May 25 to 27 ; DECUS , Georgia World Congress Center , June 5 to 11 ; Xhibition , San Jose Convention Center , June 7 to 11 ; UniForum 's Mainframe Downsizing in the Financial Industry , Hyatt Regency Chicago , June 8 to 10 , Grand Hyatt New York , June 15 to 17 ; Client - Server World and Database World , Hynes Convention Center , Boston , June 14 to 16 ; PC Expo , Javits Center , New York , June 29 to July 1 ; SCO Forum , University of California , Santa Cruz , August 14 to 19 ; and Interex , Moscone Center , San Francisco , September 19 to 23 . HUNTER MYSTERY It 's hard to figure out what exactly is happening with Hunter Systems Inc , Palo Alto , California , since nobody 's returning phone calls : we did manage to find out that its venture capitalist Technology Funding Venture Partners IV in San Mateo , California bought back Hunter 's debt at that auction staged last week ( CI No 2,147)— presumably no money really changed hands , and it now owns all of Hunter — but is the company still in business ? UNISYS CLAIMS 50 % OF OPEN SYSTEMS TRANSACTION PROCESSING Unisys Corp claims to have won some 50 % of the world 's open systems transaction processing business , but still only has around 22 Tuxedo customers on its books , including the Union Bank of Switzerland , Eurodollar car rental , La Namur Assurance Co in Belgium and Koninklijke PTT Telecom Nederland NV ; NCR Corp , it estimates , has some 10 to 15 customers for Top End monitor , while Transarc Corp 's rival Encina has only just started shipping .
Idiom: doom and gloom (used idiomatically: yes)
But is there anyone who will check that this is the case ? Cheerful TV programmes IN THESE days of increasing doom and gloom , why do n't TV and film producers make an effort to create cheerful and encouraging films and programmes . During the war years , it helped keep our spirits up and we need it again now . We pay more for TV licences and get less than we 've ever had .
Idiom: man and boy (used idiomatically: no)
This was perhaps the most violent 2-year period in American industrial - relations history . However , the most infamous of all confrontations occurred in 1914 , the year of the ' Ludlow Massacre ' , when thirty - five militia opened fire on a tent colony of 8,000–10,000 members of mining families recently evicted from their homes during a union - recognition strike . Three men and a boy were shot dead and , when tents were set ablaze , two women and eleven children who had hidden in an underground cellar , were suffocated by smoke . Later , three prisoners , including a strike leader , were shot dead ' while attempting to escape ' . Outraged by this action , the miners , supported by the Colorado labour movement , took up arms and raided local mines .
Idiom: make a pig's ear of (used idiomatically: yes)
by Rick Campbell He made such a fine job of the earth , the sea and the hills ; He made an equally fine job of the creatures , large and small that run around on the land ; He even gave us the best crags in the world … So why did He make such a pig 's ear of the climate ? Throughout this miserable summer , Scottish climbers have been forced to climb in places like Malham Cove : hardly the place to nourish the soul ( and the routes are a bit hard ! ) . However , some new routes have been climbed by various intrepid amphibians .
Idiom: on the ground (used idiomatically: yes)
For this reason I am not averse from seeing a sharpening of sentencing policy within the present law . Last and most impalpable of all is public sentiment . It also presents the most difficult problem for those who , like myself , are convinced on practical grounds that a sufficient case can not be made out for the restoration of capital punishment . I should be the last to imply that a Member of Parliament ought to subordinate his judgement of what is wise or right to even the most overwhelming majority of opinion . If he believes a thing harmful , he must not support it ; if he thinks it unjust he must denounce it .
Idiom: in full swing (used idiomatically: yes)
In fact , I think quite a lot of them took it to heart . He did see himself very much as a responsible figure as far as other people 's well being was concerned when it came to this , and this was probably based on the fact that his step - brother , Terry , by his mother 's previous marriage , was classified as schizophrenic , a problem which David felt could be hereditary.’ Angie Bowie : ‘ With the Arts Lab in full swing , Ken Pitt was ironing out the finer points of a new record deal with Mercury Records and in his own way was very lucid about David because he never actually saw him rooted in England or rooted only in rock and roll . He had arranged for him to fly to an Italian song festival which was n't just Italian , it was an international song festival , of the lesser variety , but one which paid money . The first half was in Malta and the second half in Monsummano - Terme and arrangements had been made for David to fly out there with Ken Pitt and perform ‘ When I Live My Dream’ , one of the songs on David 's first album .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
She saw Vicky 's face , over the fence , crestfallen . Poor little soul must be as lonely as sin . Come in , join the club … She said cheerfully , ‘ Big day today , Vicky . I 'm joining an art class.’
Idiom: stake a claim (used idiomatically: yes)
You ca n't get any higher than that . It is a dream come true for me . ' Gary Lineker , Bryan Robson , Mark Wright and Pearce were Taylor 's previous captains but Platt now has a chance to stake his claim . In contrast San Marino 's happy band of no - hopers will play the paupers to England 's princes when they enter fairytale land at Wembley . While Graham Taylor 's loadsamoney outfit add to their lucrative market value by pulling on England shirts , half - a - dozen of the mountain men 's reward for tackling their Everest will be to actually find themselves out of pocket .
Idiom: on the back of (used idiomatically: yes)
She 's bound to volunteer as well.’ Luck was on their side in the matter . Two days later Joy Prentice discovered a rash on the back of her neck and was sent home with the measles . Within a week fifteen children had it , including Evelyn , and Biff was only too glad to accept volunteers for extra shifts . There was no quarantine area , so Evelyn simply remained in the female Barracks during the day .
Idiom: strike a chord (used idiomatically: yes)
This was precisely the most important function of a composer recording . Would - be interpreters studying the music could not only see Elgar 's intentions in the printed score , but could follow the creative process a stage further — to the ultimate stage , in fact , and hear the creator realize his work in its natural medium , that of sound . And so the multifaceted style of Elgar 's own readings was absorbed directly or indirectly by a new generation of interpreters — many of them non - British — and the way they painted the music in all its aspects struck a new chord with modern listeners . Elgar 's music had begun to mirror our own times . That such a stage could be reached was due to the work of three men .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
OPINION Speaking in harmony In recent months there has been a lively debate — much of it behind the scenes — into how the hospitality industry can speak more effectively to Government . A new committee , the Joint Hospitality Industry Congress , is being formed for this purpose by the British Hotels , Restaurants and Caterers Association ( BHRCA ) , see page 8 . However , much misunderstanding surrounds the nature of the so - called ‘ one voice’ campaign which Caterer & Hotelkeeper has been instrumental in promoting .
Idiom: by the back door (used idiomatically: no)
‘ I 'm at the pharmacy . I want DS Fox here with his team and a uniformed man . They should come by the back door . Is Mr Kersey or DS Lane there?’ ‘ No , sir , but DS Shaw is.’
Idiom: catch fire (used idiomatically: yes)
There had been an accident in the northernmost part of Romania . A British car had gone off one of the mountain roads and plunged three hundred feet into a ravine . It had caught fire and the two occupants , trapped inside , had been burned alive . Car and bodies had been so badly charred that it was some time before they could be identified . In due course a hotel in Suceava had reported that two English tourists had failed to return .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
McDunn comes in as I 'm chasing bits of quiche around my plate with my fork . He comes up to me , nods to the burly and unlocks the cuffs . ‘ Come here,’ he tells me , putting the handcuffs in his pocket . I wipe my lips and follow him to the door . ‘ What is it?’
Idiom: spot on (used idiomatically: no)
Similarly you may have combined with your application for judgment one for an interim award and it would be absurd that the benefit of that award should be lost in providing the costs of the action thus far . Costs draftsman If your bills are always sailing through taxation as drawn , it may be that your draftsman is getting it spot on , but equally it may be because the bills are being constantly understated and therefore are found to be unobjectionable . On the other hand , if you have had a number of unsuccessful taxations it may be that your draftsman is being too optimistic , especially if payment is on the basis of a percentage of the costs as drawn — If you want to test out your costs draftsman , having received a bill back , send the file off to someone else and see how they draw it . Though you will be wasting one costs draftsman 's fee , it may be a very small penalty to pay to test the accuracy of those who are dealing with your bills .
Idiom: take a back seat (used idiomatically: yes)
With that beat I needed a really stomping guitar line to go with it so I worked it through in my head and then worked out the chords on the piano . I decided early on that it should have the most ridiculous big chorus I could think of … ’ Expressing his absolute contempt of bands who rely on ambient , effect - heavy swirling guitar sounds , Bernard insists his own playing will never take a back seat musically . He 's proud of his guitar style , he says , and he has every intention of showing it off . ‘ The whole thing about Suede,’ he explains , ‘ is that , if it 's worth doing , it 's worth doing well !
Idiom: have someone's number (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yes . Do n't worry.’ ‘ Perhaps you could let me have your number and then I 'll give you a call when Mr Steen is back in town and we could fix another appointment.’ ‘ Yes.’ So that was it .
Idiom: run a mile (used idiomatically: yes)
Pre - race favourite Mick Francis , of Forres , who was runner up in the AAA 24 hour race in October , had to retired after covering 37 5 miles in five hours , leaving Paul Bream at the front . But the Wallsend Harrier called it a day at 50 miles with a hamstring injury , leaving Tony Lenagan , of Wigan Phoenix , and Edinburgh 's Dave Wallace to battle it out . Wallace then withdrew from the contest after running 51 7 miles in 7 7 hours . Lenagan built a three - mile lead , but he , too , was forced to retire after notching up just over 60 miles in 8 hours 35 mins . Andrew Radjick , of Bracknell , took up the lead , beating Homfirth 's Alan Tomlinson by just over three laps .
Idiom: off the hook (used idiomatically: yes)
Midfielder Stephen Small got the goal with a splendid chip from the 18 yard line after being set up by Billy Totten . Totten , peeved at being dropped to the bench , bounced into action late on too to set up the masterpiece . Heath had been involved in the two goals that got the Whites off the hook after Coleraine made an impressive start . Only a save by Collins from a Stewart McLean header , and a rebound by Gary McVie that bounced off defender Jeff Calvin , foiled Coleraine . Then Philip Mitchell blasted Distillery in front from the spot when Heath was brought down .
Idiom: pleased as punch (used idiomatically: yes)
Liza and I had white satin dresses and shoes with bows on , and Frankie had a suit of small grey and white checked material with a cap to match and a pair of new boots . After the shopping spree Mary took us to a little tea shop for tea and cakes and then we returned happily with our presents . Mum was pleased as punch when she found that Mary had bought us new clothes , but she was not so pleased when Mary told her she could n't see them until the day of the wedding and took them straight up and locked them in her trunk . We all knew why : left with Mum they would have been in pawn before we had the chance to wear them . One afternoon the following week , Mary was coming into the yard having been to hear the banns read for the last time , when she came upon a group of local women standing around gossiping about the wedding .
Idiom: beg the question (used idiomatically: yes)
Martin and Deidre Bobgan believe that a baby or foetus has no capacity to record and store information . ‘ The myelin sheathing,’ they write , ‘ is too underdeveloped in the prenatal , natal and early postnatal brain to store such memories.’ This , of course , begs the question : if the source of information concerning life in the womb and at birth can not possibly be of the patient , then who — or what — else could be the origin ? The opponents who refute the Bobgans ' claim include Dr Thomas Verny and Christian clinical theologian Frank Lake . These and others maintain that a human being can be affected by events , emotions and environment from conception onwards .