Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
So confident is BMW of its fuel efficiency and smoothness that fifth gear is now direct drive instead of an overdrive , an interesting move that adds flexibility to performance when pressing on , and the ability to trickle along and pull away in high gear with a minimum of protest . At the same time there 's a new sparkle to low rev performance . Urban ‘ thirst’ is 20.9 mph , but the on - board computer showed a 26.9 mph average for my far from leisurely 400 miles at the wheel . Handling and ride in the 5-Series is already legendary , and this engine is better able to make the most of it . Inside you sit well , the trim is all that is should be but , after driving in some more modern interiors , are the buttons and switches as handy as they might be ?
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: no)
The soil formation of the ridge was of crucial importance . The top sandy layers were underlain by a deep layer of blue clay , into which the tunnels were dug . Great care had to be taken to hide this tell - tale clay , since its detection by aircraft would have betrayed the mines ' position and depth . Tunnelling was a laborious and dangerous job . Most of the work was done by gangs of miners , many of them ‘ claykickers’ who sat in the tunnel , leaning against a wooden backrest with their feet at the face , and dug out the clay with a light spade .
Idiom: out to lunch (used idiomatically: yes)
Very soon , when those two stalwarts had gone , the chances of her being able to get away would be far more remote . Once in the flat , with Brian having departed promising to see what he could do about an early appointment with Dr Shalcross , she tried to tell herself that she was feeling better , that this break was all she needed , that coming to London was the answer to any temporary difficulty . She would take herself out to lunch and do some shopping , look for those new lampshades that were needed for one of the spare rooms . There was no doubt that the house was coming along beautifully now . In her mind 's eye , from this distance away , it seemed infinitely more attractive than ever their London home had been .
Idiom: point the finger (used idiomatically: yes)
It was only said in good fun , nothing malicious . Keith:[Afro - Caribbean ( aggressively)]How do we know that it 's a joke , in my opinion that was a disrespectful thing to say . Teacher:[Raising his voice and pointing his finger at Keith]If I wanted to say something maliciously racist , I would n't have to make a joke about it . I 'd say it . I 've often had a joke with you , have n't I ?
Idiom: think the world of (used idiomatically: no)
Hard to steer , to balance , to float , she had learned instead to consent ; to cast herself onto the wind and learn the whole length and depth and height of its strength , and in perfect relaxation , the stern corseting of gravity left far below , her whole body had been open to power and loveliness . She had thought that if her mother had learned to consent , to let go , to be filled , then Phoebe 's passivity and disinterest would drop off like a cloak and she too could be naked with joy and love . Now , coiled here , she thought it was not Phoebe 's fault , it was the dullness of being an adult ; it was the natural flavour of the world once one had said goodbye to childhood . It might be necessary but it was not fun , and nothing would ever be fun again . On a conservative reckoning she would have to live at least another fifty years in this bland and dreary universe .
Idiom: lie low (used idiomatically: yes)
I loved the market . I loved its moods . Lying low beside the river , it could be misty , it could be translucent . No chalky dust hung about the stalls . I was introduced to an art form that did not exist in England .
Idiom: reinvent the wheel (used idiomatically: no)
Talking to colleagues in neighbouring authorities and agencies should be encouraged . A database also exists as a national resource of innovative practice and ideas . Funded jointly by the NHS Management Executive and the SSI , it will be run by the Nuffield Institute in Leeds and if used correctly will prevent the wheel being reinvented . MANAGEMENT : JOINT PLANNING LANCASHIRE HOTPOT
Idiom: at the crossroads (used idiomatically: yes)
Runaway lorry kills woman in car A WOMAN motorist was killed yesterday when a 38-ton articulated coal lorry ran out of control down a steep hill and burst into flames . The fully - laden truck careered through traffic lights at a crossroads in St Austell , Cornwall , crushed her Vauxhall car and pushed it 100 feet , before virtually demolishing a butchery and crashing into a florist 's shop . Local people tackled the blaze with fire extinguishers before fire crews arrived and cut the woman — who has not yet been named — from the wreckage . Eyewitness Terry Shaylor , 19 , an assistant at nearby Polkyth News , said the area ' looks as though a bomb has hit it ' .
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: no)
I 'm going now . And from this moment on you are gambling that I shall fail.’ She turned Fontana 's head . ‘ No , ma'am . That 's a certainty.’
Idiom: no two ways about it (used idiomatically: yes)
35 years later four former servicemen share memories of their time spent working in the forces during the early nuclear bomb tests . They 're all members of the British Nuclear Test Veteran Association which has campaigned for the last ten years to get recognition for its members , who feel they were used as human guinea pigs . He says most of the lads that were out there were in their late teens , early 20 's and for them it was an adventure to go out to the tropics — then when you realise what it was about — well it 's marked us for life there 's no two ways about it . Pat Hurley from Milton Keynes , himself just 20 when he witnessed Britain 's first thermonuclear bomb test on Christmas Island in the Pacific in April 1958 . Also stationed there with the RAF was Brian Stroud from Drayton in Oxfordshire .
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
Step three Attach your diffuser attachment to your hairdryer and , with your dryer on a medium to low heat / speed setting , put your hair into the cup of the diffuser . For maximum volume and root lift , turn your head upside down— the special ‘ fingers’ inside the cup will help life and separate curls giving them a fuller look . You 'll find the Trevor Sorbie range at Boots nationwide . Prices range from £ 2.99 to £ 4.99 .
Idiom: the world and his wife (used idiomatically: yes)
LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE WITH THE DAILY MIRROR TREAT ALL YOUR FAMILY TO THE FUN OF THE FAIR THIS is the time when Blackpool sparkles in the bright lights and when the world and his wife pays a visit to the Queen of Resorts . When YOU go there you wo n't want to miss the world - famous Pleasure Beach amusement park which teems with fun and excitement for everyone . And do n't forget to take our special , exclusive voucher with you .
Idiom: come to grief (used idiomatically: yes)
It must be remembered that for all its world status and the great influence it has upon the rest of the airworthiness authorities of the western world , the FAA is after all made up of fallible human beings . There is no magic exemption from error because its members collectively make up a respected US institution . The same is true throughout the world of course : laws and regulations are made by men , and the fact that an aircraft was built or operated in compliance with those laws and regulations is , in itself , no guarantee that it will not come to grief . The people who make the laws and regulations relating to such a highly technological activity as aviation are as capable of making mistakes as the engineers who build the aircraft and the crews that fly them .
Idiom: spit it out (used idiomatically: no)
You do n't like it ? Spit it out then . Spit it out in here . Give it to daddy then . So what did Janet say ?
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: yes)
( 2 ) A general immunity , possessed by all persons and bodies , from being compelled on pain of punishment to answer questions the answers to which may incriminate them . ( 3 ) A specific immunity , possessed by all persons under suspicion of criminal responsibility whilst being interviewed by police officers or others in similar positions of authority , from being compelled on pain of punishment to answer questions of any kind . ( 4 ) A specific immunity , possessed by accused persons undergoing trial , from being compelled to give evidence , and from being compelled to answer questions put to them in the dock . ( 5 ) A specific immunity , possessed by persons who have been charged with a criminal offence , from having questions material to the offence addressed to them by police officers or persons in a similar position of authority . ( 6 ) A specific immunity ( at least in certain circumstances , which it is unnecessary to explore ) , possessed by accused persons undergoing trial , from having adverse comment made on any failure ( a ) to answer questions before the trial , or ( b ) to give evidence at the trial .
Idiom: make the grade (used idiomatically: yes)
More recently some Universities and Polytechnics developed courses for ethnic minorities — but these when they were focused on developing multilingual skills were not intended to lead to a specialism in minority languages but simply to serve support strategies which fall far short of teaching the languages as such . The criteria for admission to PGCE and B.Ed . courses are also such that a substantial number of candidates never make the grade . There is a lack of provision focusing on creating a pathway for cumulative accreditation and the criteria often dissuade many who feel that the types of training on offer are unsuitable for mature students . The Present Context
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
Including tax relief and the 2 per cent incentive , the total rebate was worth around 8.5 per cent . Even allowing for the investment risk of personal pensions , this amounted to a guaranteed gain for younger people and a fairly sound proposition for anyone aged up to about 40 for women and 45 for men . Moreover , as things stand , contracting out is not a once and for all decision . As soon as you reach the cross - over age where there is no longer a gain , you can contract back into SERPS . Ironically , the Government encouraged the SERPS exodus because the projected costs of the scheme were too high .
Idiom: time will tell (used idiomatically: yes)
Playing down the trendy aspect of the restaurant , he suggests that it is a family place where locals can come to eat . He also insists that it wo n't be a fly - by - night operation , that his commitment to the community is lasting and genuine . Time ( and his bank balance ) will tell , but at least now the whole thing 's up and running he can retreat out of the public eye . De Niro may have loosened up a little recently but he 's still not happy with the press attention that stardom brings . ' You can only experience so much fame , ' he says .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
they With a We , we , we were playing in the er Alton league at one time , you know , we were doing quite well in that as well we got , one year we come second we got promoted to the first division after our first year , there was only three of their , there were four or five leagues going and they put us straight in the second division and er , but you were going all over the bloody place , you were going as far a field as Petersfield bloody old there was almost , there was one erm , just outside yeah , still you , really it is too far in it ? , I mean if they especially if they want you to do in the , the championship 's , they , you got the league and then they play er , a knock out competition do n't they ?
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
The Digital workforce in Galway was a loyal and dedicated one which placed its faith in the company ethos of trust and co - operation . People 's lives were Digital oriented : many had been there since finishing second level school or university … life outside Digital was unthinkable . The Digital thinking permeated through all walks of life in the Galway region . Digital workers were always good for a car loan or a mortgage , perceived as being in secure , well - paid jobs . Good workers , with high self - esteem … not the type to renege on a £ 60,000 mortgage or a £ 10,000 car loan .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: no)
And do n't worry — I 'm completely confident of your ability to look after them properly.’ Laura had been pleased and reassured to hear her cousin 's vote of confidence . And after phoning Julie , who had agreed to join her in Devon , she 'd also been heartened by her friend 's confirmation that she was doing the right thing . Lady Wyndham had not taken the decision at all well , and the scene which had followed was one that Laura preferred to forget . However , there was nothing the elderly woman could have done to prevent her departure with the two children , who had been clearly delighted to be leaving their grandmother 's house .
Idiom: take the piss (used idiomatically: yes)
a daughter , what 's er , what 's her number the daughter , oh I do n't know her number I said well what 's her name it 'll be in the book , she said it 's Jane It 's Jane I said er , it got that bad that I thought she was taking the piss out of me . Yeah , did she get in in the end ? You could , could the window tre the cleaner get through that window he said yes , but she 'll have to , he 'll have to force it , she said oh I do n't want it forcing , no , somebody at the shop in the greengrocers rooted through the phone book , eventually got her daughter 's phone number in Urmston , phoned for her and her daughter come down
Idiom: larger than life (used idiomatically: yes)
Firstly because I hate not working and I have n't worked as a club DJ for eight years , so this was a way back in . Secondly , it 's very important for me , as the head of a record company , to research what 's going down well on the dancefloor’ Pete Waterman is larger than life . As a child he was a train spotter ; now he owns a class 25 diesel that is active on a line not far from his home in Merseyside . He claims he learnt to read only six years ago .
Idiom: round the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
Somehow they 've managed to accept everything that has happened.’ Nevertheless , it ca n't be easy for any of them . As well as giving Graham round the clock attention , the search for a cure has often taken both Kathleen and her husband away from their home and their daughters . Apart from visits to the local hospital , there have been trips to St Thomas ' Hospital in London , where Graham is seen regularly by one of the world 's most eminent dermatologists . And last year he had two stays at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children .
Idiom: jack of all trades (used idiomatically: yes)
Sometimes the loan of a fur - lined flying suit was included in the price of the single ticket ( London to Paris twenty guineas ) . Inside the aircraft passengers sat on wicker chairs , often surrounded by mail bags . Pilots were expected to be jacks of all trades . If the cooling system sprang a leak pilots had to land and mend the pipe with chewing gum and insulation tape . Forced landings were common , even Charlie Chaplin was seen standing on the sands of Bologne in the early 1920s while his pilot fixed the aircraft .
Idiom: take a back seat (used idiomatically: yes)
The membership of local DUP branches now includes lots of non - Free Presbyterians . It may be that this will gradually work through and become apparent in the activists in about five years . But even now , some senior DUP men are slightly perplexed at the apparent willingness of non - evangelicals to ‘ take a back seat and push the others forward’ , as one man put it . This suggests an important point which will be taken up in detail in the final chapter but which should be mentioned here . Some commentators suppose that there is a considerable Free Presbyterian presence in the lists of party activists because the leaders of the Party favour people who share their religious affiliation .
Idiom: back to the drawing board (used idiomatically: yes)
This is because the engineer 's role is a dual one . First , he has to make scientific discoveries actually work , and second , he has to do it cost - effectively . He uses scientific methodology for both processes — forming hypotheses , testing them , and going back to the drawing board . In the process , the balance between his two purposes — making something work , and making it cheaply — often becomes confused . The issue is even more complicated in the world of sound recording , because we can not pick up a record and listen to it in the same way that we can pick up a book and read it .
Idiom: out of the blue (used idiomatically: yes)
Sometimes we annoyed each other . The long dark evenings , the unfinished building work , the awful autumn weather , and the fact that we could not get out made these interpersonal difficulties , for which I was not prepared , much worse . Precious moments of light relief came when a couple of friends would turn up out of the blue and say , ‘ Come to the Indian Restaurant’ . That sort of thing was invaluable . Since those early days I have grown considerably in confidence , on top of which all the furnishings and fittings are complete .
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: yes)
I gave it a wide berth and went to sit on the rug , but of course it had gone so I sat on one of the chairs instead , had a good long wash and settled down for a nap . Later on Marcus came in , took a bag from inside the noise - maker and dropped it in a large crackling black bag . Then I heard the front door close and the sound of his car going down the road . I felt restless and took a turn round the garden . From the fence I surveyed the area , sneaking a look to see if Shelly was lying in the window .
Idiom: quick as a flash (used idiomatically: yes)
Teaching history and religious education to cockney teenagers must have been something of a culture shock , but Eva seems to have thrived on It , and the lively East End lads would have appreciated her outgoing personality and no nonsense approach . She did n't wear Salvation Army uniform in school , but she used to visit a Goodwill centre in Bethnal Green and nothing of note escapes the eager eyed cockney . When she asked her pupils the name of one of the disciples quick as a flash came the answer , " Matthew … cap'n . " The end of the academic year came round almost as speedily . It was time for farewell to England and a brief return to Australia for a much - needed holiday .
Idiom: for my money (used idiomatically: yes)
Like Spike Milligan , his jokes are very hard to explain — it 's difficult to say what exactly is funny about them and they do n't read well if you write them down . His delivery is brilliant . For my money , he is one of the greatest British comedians of all time . I would put him in the same bracket as Beryl Reid . ' From the explosion of ' alternative ' comedy of the last 15 years , it is people like Paul Merton and Julian Clary who are now showing to have the staying power .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: yes)
Then , in a further foray , Bothwell encountered Little Jock Elliot of the Park , one of the most savage of that reiving family , and shot him off his horse . He approached the fallen man , either to arrest him or make sure he was dead , whereupon Elliot came to life and stabbed Bothwell three times . Some chroniclers say that Elliot then died ; others that he escaped and continued to be a thorn in the flesh of the authorities . Bothwell 's men had to carry their leader back to Hermitage , where he was greeted by the mortifying news that the prisoners had overpowered their guards and taken charge of the castle . In order to gain admittance and nurse his wounds , Bothwell had to strike a deal which involved letting all the Elliots go free .
Idiom: teething troubles (used idiomatically: yes)
Homes Assured , went bust owing £ 10 million , and is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office ; a Friends Provident agent was caught using the FP logo on documents offering unsecured commercial loans , and is being investigated by fraud squad detectives ; and last December a Guardian Royal Exchange agent , Charmworth Properties , collapsed . Later it was revealed that its founder had completed a three - year prison sentence only six months before becoming a GRE agent . For the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation ( Lautro ) , the regulator charged with supervising life offices and their agents , one or two mishaps might have been regarded as the inevitable teething troubles of a new system . Yet during 1990 , the trail of crooked agents turned into a bustling queue . In its annual report , published in November , Lautro weighed into the life offices , complaining that the unexpectedly high costs of policing their activities had dented its finances , and beefing that members had not taken the task of compliance seriously .
Idiom: for good measure (used idiomatically: yes)
Underground ( Gollancz , £ 3.50 ) The most distinctive British thriller in a while . Like a David Goodis noir novel reset in Deptford with an extraneous espionage plot thrown in for good measure NELSON ALGREN A Walk On The Wild Side ( Picador , £ 4.99 )
Idiom: under the weather (used idiomatically: yes)
After Edgbaston came the English Stroke - Play Championship at Hollinwell where , as she had feared from the outset , she had to pull out after just the one round because of swollen glands . She had gone to the doctor after her opening 77 and hoped for some kind of medication which would have allowed her to carry on , but all the medical man would prescribe was a three - day rest . In fact , she was still sufficiently under the weather the following week to have to pull out of England 's Intermediate Championship which was won , at Warrington , by Lora Fairclough . To her relief , she was back to full fitness in time for the British Stroke - Play at Southerness where a 78 and 77 carved out of near gale - force winds gave her the half - way lead . With one round to play , she was as many as three shots ahead of Australia 's Nadene Hall , a gifted girl playing on a British links for a first time .
Idiom: dig deep (used idiomatically: yes)
With a committee base , senior and under-21 , the Anglo - Scots have been able to spread their selectors ' scope wide . Their spy network , like a mixture of the CIA , M15 and GCHQ , searches the length and breadth of England and Wales . They dig deep especially to maintain the under-21 resources . Yet they are never satisfied . They are convinced that other players with Scottish connections are there to be found , and like the Irish and Welsh , the Scottish exiles have launched an appeal to attract players will Scottish qualifications .
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: yes)
Na ah ah ah ! If they can , we can . We 'll just have to tell everybody , she goes , right the way down and straight over the top of them . Right over , bloody dancing around right .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
I shall be late ! ' ( Perhaps it was a little strange , Alice thought later , but at the time she was not surprised . ) But then the Rabbit took a watch out of its pocket , looked at it , and hurried on . At once Alice jumped to her feet . ' I 've never before seen a rabbit with either a pocket , or a watch to take out of it , ' she thought .
Idiom: get the picture (used idiomatically: no)
Many canoeists will have a style which is influenced by past use of old paddle strokes . We should be careful not to look only at our friends and colleagues whose style may have been affected by the same paddle strokes that we are studying ourselves . To get a true picture it is important to watch a wide cross section of paddlers with a range of different backgrounds . If possible they should be from more than one country . Blade lifted slowly by assistant to body 's limit of movement Fig 3