Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: turn tail (used idiomatically: yes)
So nowadays I can say it was a German bomb of five hundred kilograms and it was dropped by a crippled He . 111 trying to get back to its Norwegian base after an unsuccessful attack on the flying - boat base farther down the firth . I like to think it was the gun in my bunker that hit it and forced the pilot to turn tail and dump his bombs . The tips of some of those great splinters of igneous rock still stick above the surface of the long - returned sand , and they form the Bomb Circle , poor dead Paul 's most fitting monument : a blasphemous stone circle where the shadows play . I was lucky , again .
Idiom: speak volumes (used idiomatically: yes)
Being adept at the set conversation piece he managed to extract the relevant data without ever putting his knife in it . He was livid at being left out . This sort of an evening would carry a social element , the absence from which would speak volumes locally . Stories vary widely , some say he took off his apron and laid down his knife before he went to the Bank to tackle the Manager . Others say he came in with both , and when he left the office there seemed even more blood on his apron .
Idiom: toe the line (used idiomatically: yes)
The police ( Old Bill ) are heartily disliked . Again , like teachers , there are one or two honest coppers , but in general they nick you for things you have not done or give you a sound slapping to make you remember them . Fortunately for the police complaints department , skins seem to regard this as part of the normal way of life , in the same way they might get a good hiding from their old man to make them toe the line at home . At football matches or at confrontations at seaside resorts the police have to put up with a lot of abuse . For example , on Easter Monday , 27 April 1981 , the skins at Brighton were penned into a small groyne by the police to prevent them fighting with the mods .
Idiom: larger than life (used idiomatically: yes)
They asked me to come along and I thought I would because I thought children might respond more to me because they recognise me from television . Voice over The show , organised by Thames Valley Police , has all the elements of a Christmas pantomime with larger than life characters and lots of audience participation . Male speaker You show me what to do when I am approached by strangers .
Idiom: make waves (used idiomatically: yes)
After the Chadwick interview it seems only fair to suggest a double interview with Terry Bickers and Bic Hayes from the awe - inspiring Levitation … And how can you have missed the influence of Bob Mould , ex of Hüsker Dü , or the Butthole Surfers or the Pixies ? And , seeing as we 've skipped the Atlantic , let 's see some of the Seattle bands making waves over here … This music is indeed the food of love and such coverage shall bear the most exceptional fruit , especially for your sales figures . → It seems to me , Dave , that you 've been labouring under a bit of a misapprehension .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
He wishes he were back home . He may feel he 's in a British Rail nightmare : he will get to his destination some time or other but he 's deeply unhappy about his discomfort while travelling . I 'm reminded of the story about the time when a British Rail advertising contract was up for grabs . It was a huge budget and the top agencies were eager to get their hands on it . It was prestigious , lucrative and a creative challenge .
Idiom: make a splash (used idiomatically: no)
TALKING POINT CHANGING COLOURS We are some way yet from Autumn but that is no reason not to consider the way we can change colours on the needlebed to use up left over yarn or simply make a splash with colours we 've always wanted to knit together . GOODBYE TO STRIPES Well , not exactly , but simply using up bits and pieces in stripes can be rather boring if you create the stripes in regular numbers of rows .
Idiom: take the bull by the horns (used idiomatically: yes)
He was silent . It was a good sign . She took the bull by the horns . ‘ Are they forcing you to collaborate?’ ‘ What makes you ask that?’
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We have a very large amount of information and facilities to offer but not all schools are involved,’ said Coun Stenson . He added that demands placed on teachers by the national curriculum often meant there was not enough time for cycling lessons , but many of the town 's primary schools were involved . THE creation of a new group has triggered an appeal for people from all walks of life to help protect local wildlife . Darlington Wildlife Trust is the latest branch of the Durham trust , which was set up in the Sixties . Animal lovers and green fingered volunteers are needed to help the new trust look after the flora and fauna in and around Darlington .
Idiom: through thick and thin (used idiomatically: yes)
♫ We are pals , it 's cool , 'cause we 're not lonely , ♫ ♫ shallow gene pool is nothing to my only Clonie . ♫ ♫ Me and you , hustling through , holding on through thick and thin , ♫ ♫ just day by day , our DNA , so the Olson twins got nothing on us . ♫ ♫ We 'll survive , side ~ by ~ side .
Idiom: all along (used idiomatically: no)
It is a pity that a news flash device could not be used to denote the settings — much of the effect of some of the scenes is lost because you do n't really know where you are . It is a show that progresses at a terrific pace , none of the performers , from Duncan downwards , spare themselves . They act with vigour , sing with great effect , and the small , but rather loud orchestra , sweep them all along . Too loud at times ; but there are also one or two moments of pathos — just like a Chaplin movie . The second act rather concentrates on Chaplin 's ‘ non American ’ activities ( nothing worse than having Socialist views and an interest in Russia ) but it was enough to drive him out of the country .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: yes)
She led the way through the swing door . ‘ We 've put him in the side ward , just as a precaution.’ ‘ You did the right thing,’ Lindsey said reassuringly . ‘ Even if it is flu , with a little damage limitation we might just prevent the rest of the ship going down with it.’ She reached for a stethoscope .
Idiom: flash in the pan (used idiomatically: yes)
They are taken for granted and are not getting value for their money or support . An open question to Mr Peacock , the Executive Director of the LTA . In earlier years , is it true that you attended a Senior Management Seminar as a representative of the International Sports Company,(Dunlop , Slazenger , Carlton , Litesome ) , and stated that you had the two finest wooden rackets in the world and that you had no intention of following the fibreglass and graphite racket trend as it was all a flash in the pan ? If so , having demonstrated such alarming traditionalism , do you really think that you are the man for the job , which requires open communication and awareness of current and future trends in British and World tennis ? It 's time to go , Mr Peacock — your plumes are tarnished with much ado about nothing and , like football clubs , we want results .
Idiom: win the day (used idiomatically: no)
Glover showed them , and if anyone had cared to look , the portents for Rambo 's Hall 's win were there . On his previous outing , at Ayr , the four - year - old gave Sonilla 17 lb and ran her to three - parts of a length , with Ned 's Aura third . Sonilla and Ned 's Aura both won at Newmarket the day before the Cambridgeshire . Glover grinned : ' I ran him at Ayr just to freshen him up . And I got on at 50 - 1 immediately after that race , and had a fair bet .
Idiom: fall on deaf ears (used idiomatically: yes)
There has been a fair amount of half - hearted canvassing by Wales to try to persuade members of other unions that South Africa is not really stable enough as a country to host the 1995 World Cup . For some months that canvassing has been echoed , somewhat surprisingly , both by Keith Rowlands , the Welsh secretary of the IRB , and by Ray Williams , the tournament director in 1991 . Clearly it fell on deaf ears . Most of the members of the IRB know that even in 1992 the rejection of South Africa as the host country would be a King Canute job and that by 1995 it would look just plain silly . Now the Springboks will be able to plunge into their rehabilitation programme .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
On the Arctic flight it wo n't be the air temperature that 'll be the main danger . Landing in the sea could kill in seconds . In part two soccer action on the pitch , and behind the scenes the police operation to control the crowds . And remember this lot ? We 'll be monkeying about with them after the break .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
And much the same processes and responses are at work – with even greater strength – in Europe . Most important , however , has been what looks , from today ’s perspective , like a permanent collapse in the risk - bearing capacity of the private marketplace , and a permanent and large increase in the perceived riskiness of financial assets worldwide – and of the businesses whose cash flows underpin them . Given aging populations in industrial countries , large commitments from governments to social - insurance systems , and no clear plans for balancing government budgets in the long run , we would expect to see inflation and risk premiums – perhaps not substantial , but clearly visible – priced into even the largest and richest economies ’ treasury debt . Sometime over the next generation , the price levels of the US , Japan , and Germany might rise substantially after some government short - sightedly attempts to finance some of its social - welfare spending by printing money . The price levels are unlikely to go down .
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: yes)
The blows were not that hard , he had n't even made proper fists , but by God they were fast . ' Looking after my own , that 's what I do , ' Scamp continued as if nothing had happened . ' And I do it so that people know I 've been around and I 've kept my eyes open . ' ' You 've got the wrong bloke , ' I said , tasting blood . My lip , I think .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
The pair were pitched together to play in the opening two rounds , and while Couples collapsed with a 77 , Faldo reduced their duel in the sun to a calculated ambush . It was reminiscent of the cold-blooded massacre he inflicted on Greg Norman in the 1990 Open at St Andrews , which sent the Australian into a golfing wilderness for two years . Faldo powered into the lead in the race for the £366,000 top prize with a series of rapier thrusts producing three birdies in the first six holes on the tough Tryall course skirting the Caribbean . But the wind sweeping in from the sea even got to him , with the Open Champion dropping four shots in three holes , including a double bogey five at the treacherous 15th . That left him with a 71 , three strokes behind Australian pacesetter Craig Parry .
Idiom: have someone's number (used idiomatically: yes)
Well , we all know what the something more is , do n't we ? ' Even the policeman at the desk laughed with us . On the street again , suddenly I felt I was in the middle of a farce —'POLICE SEARCH FOR THE BIG BANANA IS ON — and the discovery that actually I did have my cheque numbers in my moneybelt and that it was the photocopies that had been stolen made me almost light - headed . With the most impressive efficiency and a phone call to Tucson , the American Express Office in Avenida del Sol issued me with a fresh set after half an hour 's verification : necessary , Ian told me , because there are so many freeloaders who keep on going by selling their cheques and claiming they have been stolen . We carried on down Avenida del Sol to Radio Tawantinsuyo where , on last - minute South American Handbook advice , I placed ten radio adverts for my notebooks .
Idiom: put paid to (used idiomatically: yes)
A couple of years ago this kind of scenario seemed plausible to thousands of people who committed themselves to self - build co - operatives . The idea is simple : a group of people with different building skills team up to build each other 's houses , saving perhaps a third of the cost of a ready - made home . Now , high interest rates and recession have put paid to many such schemes . Interest charges became unbearable for many , while the co - operative workers ' existing homes — which were supposed to help pay off the loans — remained stubbornly unsold . Worse , they and the new land against which loans were secured declined in value in some cases to less than the amount borrowed , forcing lenders to foreclose .
Idiom: in the long term (used idiomatically: yes)
They were as good as we could make them , we felt , and we had a long think . which is first set of audits , first set of suggestion forms which have come through because a lot , standing order . I , I think what Richard , what Richard is suggesting is the very sensible way forward in the longer term , whether it makes sense right at this instant is , is another matter . I do think we 've got to bear in mind that when you are looking at a change does it apply to everybody . Erm , like you had the discussion on the first one and said , well , yes , it 's all very well for you and yes it 's a great idea for you , but the rest of us do n't want it , and I think you 've got to do that .
Idiom: from scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
IntelliDraw is hardly a low - end application , but it 's difficult to place because it 's the result of some brave lateral thinking about how people use images in practical circumstances . The program has tools for symmetrical drawing , dimension lines with changing measurements , master objects and clones for quick - editing , animation , and ‘ connectigons’ for maintaining links in the drawing of a complex shape ( like a spiral staircase , for example ) which allow you to edit the shape easily as a whole . The idea behind IntelliDraw is that people 's needs change , and it should be possible to adjust the drawing process to take that into account , rather than start from scratch . Unfortunately , the program tries to be too many different things at once , and as a result it is n't easy to use as it claims and performs quite slowly . That said , future releases promise to be very interesting .
Idiom: spit it out (used idiomatically: yes)
BUPA . or BUPA . Spit it out . Movement . People decide whether to use public transport , buy a car
Idiom: out cold (used idiomatically: yes)
Later , Jacqui met her kiss for kiss in their lovemaking ; even taking the initiative as they drank of each other 's bodies . And when they surfaced for air , she poured champagne and slipped a Mickey Finn into Kattina 's glass . With her lesbian lover out cold to the world she searched the houseboat . Kattina was anything but tidy , and she found what she was looking for under a pile of underwear . Her bank book showed regular monthly deposits , and an address book contained lists of military numbers .
Idiom: close call (used idiomatically: yes)
Very early on Sunday morning , before 9 o'clock in fact , Trevor Ward must have known that the portents were not good . He tried to get into the wrong car - park and was , inevitably , confronted by a Lord 's gateman who succeeded in making far from happy . He left the ground via a close call with an ambulance and came very close to running over your correspondent . He looked no happier when the Kent innings resumed , playing and missing several times before getting a touch to a magnificent Marshall delivery and providing Bobby Parks with the first of two catches . Incidentally , how nice it was to see Parks keeping wicket for Hampshire .
Idiom: in light of (used idiomatically: yes)
According to the second view , inspiration was mantic possession : the divine afflatus took over the voice of prophet or prophetess , and employed the human agent as a musician plays a lyre which has no mind of its own . Both these theories are found among Christians seeking to interpret biblical authority . The mantic view implied that the words are divinely given ; so any text can be interpreted in the light of other texts where the same word occurs . This theory of a ' verbal inspiration ' especially held good for the Greek translation of the Old Testament , commonly called that of the Seventy ( Septuagint ) , made at Alexandria in the third century bc . The legend recounted how seventy translators had worked in independent cells and had all come up with the identical version of the sacred text .
Idiom: add fuel to the fire (used idiomatically: yes)
' Let 's get out of here . ' Riled by the peremptory note of command in his voice , Rory opened her mouth to give him a scathing reply , but just in time caught the sideways glance slid her way by Candy and bit her tongue . The other woman was already sceptical — she could n't afford to add more fuel to the fire of her suspicions by biting Adam 's head off the way she 'd simply love to do . But damn him — it was bad enough that he be high - handed and autocratic when they were alone together — did he really have to carry it into the public arena too ? She turned to Candy with an apologetic grimace .
Idiom: on the game (used idiomatically: yes)
He had had a succession of good hands and won the kitty twice . Now he was playing recklessly , sportingly , trying to let the others in , but he could n't help winning , it seemed . His mind was n't on the game at all : it was on balance sheets and interest rates and VAT and cash flow and overdraft facilities . Over - extended , that 's what they were , too many orders and not enough money to buy the gear . Borrow , said his partner Jim , borrow , but look at the price of borrowing .
Idiom: and then some (used idiomatically: no)
And er you get out give it another coat with a thingummy and then you work straight across straight across and you just gradually add maybe just a wee drop of methylated spirits till you get all that oil and you see it glistening . You know , the oil gets lifted out . You know , and then you leave it It 's what they term soft and it 's got to be left to sort of harden you know , and then some instances some people prefer a dull polish , they do n't like a a very bright and they 'll say what they call pumi powdered pumice stone and they put that sprinkle that on , and it 's got to be done a certain way with a brush so to not to leave any marks . You know , to brush it and it leaves a very very dull surface . You see lots of er antique dealers and you know , people that you know , there 's there 's different classes of people that like well what they term , the dull polish .
Idiom: on the horn (used idiomatically: yes)
well even the cars going the other way are going faster so what the fuck oh this guy 's , got the foot down now , he 's doing thirty five go on horn , you know you wanna over twats like that , though , yes and I have got right of way do n't that put you off when drivers come the other way and you 've got right of way and they always go , and they go past
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
Exactly the same off - air as he is on , it 's rare to meet someone who 's content with their life and who really has n't got any unfulfilled ambitions . ‘ I 've got a home in the country , nothing flash just two farmer 's cottages knocked into one , an extraordinary wife , four amusing , insolent children , a couple of cats and dogs , a football team which regularly wins the league title and a job I like doing more than anything else , so although it sounds like terrible sentimental bullshit , I have got everything I ever wanted . I would n't mind being thinner and better looking but those things are n't terribly important in the long run.’ Having got this far there 's no reason why John Peel should n't continue for many years to come and it 'll certainly be a sad day if he ever does decide to hang up those headphones . ‘ I 'm not the kind of bloke who things about retiring in 14 years or whatever .
Idiom: slippery slope (used idiomatically: yes)
ONE GOOD TURN AND NO HITCHES SHEILA lived in a cottage on the rocky shelf of a mountain . From her bedroom window she could see the mountain rising up in a steep and slippery slope above a deep quarry , which had once been worked for limestone but had long since fallen into disuse . Sheila was a Scots girl who had come to live in England . On joining the nearest Brownie Guide Pack , she was delighted to find two other girls from Scotland already in the Pack .
Idiom: larger than life (used idiomatically: yes)
But it was as if they had brought the sun with them . She wanted to run straight into their arms . While longing and longing for their arrival , she had feared they would seem larger than life in the sedate village . They brought noise , surprise , colour . Indeed it was the colour which amazed …
Idiom: on ice (used idiomatically: yes)
Venables was lifted from a precarious 30-degree ice slope , by an Indian army helicopter pilot flying perilously close to his aircraft 's maximum altitude limit . He 'd been stuck at the site for four days with Vic Saunders and Dick Renshaw , mostly without food . The alarm was raised by team leader Chris Bonington — who also fell 150 m on steep ice as he went to Venable 's assistance , miraculously emerging with no more than a minor facial wound . Venables and Bonington were part of an Anglo - Indian expedition to the Panch Chuli area . Earlier Bonington and Graham Little had climbed Panch Chuli II , 6,904 m and Venables , Renshaw , Saunders and Steve Sustad , Raj Ramba , 6,537 m .
Idiom: off the cuff (used idiomatically: yes)
Lady Dorman - Smith , the wife of the Governor , came to our rescue with two generous gifts of money . Dry and tinned stores were issued readily , but meat , vegetables and fruit were not so easy to procure , and often I went out into the surrounding villages to buy up food which normally would have come into the Maymyo bazaar . We did our best to keep the men amused with socials and off - the - cuff concerts , but the thing which was most appreciated was the homely atmosphere provided by my wife and three children and by Mrs Weaverhurst and a few Maymyo friends still left . As the war moved northwards , there was greater pressure on the hospital and our convalescent homes . Stocks of petrol were low , and late one afternoon cars passing the orderly room were stopped by an irate major - general , who berated us for using valuable petrol at such a time of crisis .
Idiom: new blood (used idiomatically: yes)
Three state art academies ensure the necessary supply of creative new blood .
Idiom: close call (used idiomatically: yes)
Gerry , now Lord , Fitt is sound in wind and limb . Tim Parry is dead . Bernadette Devlin had a close call , but she survived the assassination attempt against her . L - Cpl Dickson did not . John Hume continues to present his case in Westminster .
Idiom: on the same wavelength (used idiomatically: yes)
ROME : What does the future hold for transatlantic relations ? That question arises with every new American administration . Because worries about a " widening Atlantic " gap have existed since the early 1970s , it is tempting to proceed as if transatlantic relations will remain on roughly the same wavelength as before . The truth is , however , that the US and the EU are rapidly evolving along their own paths : both sides of the Atlantic thus face the challenge of managing an ever more complex relationship . Two other temptations must also be resisted .