Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: seal of approval (used idiomatically: yes)
The primate house has been a key stage in the zoo 's development and we have been able to plan and equip the house and enclosure to the very highest standards , pooling animal management expertise and design ideas . It will house a nucleus family of gorillas in its other half and we hope to be able to start a breeding programme and also to collect funds for and publicise the Digit Fund , set up to conserve gorillas in the wild . It gives the Zoo enormous pleasure to have the seal of approval of a world - class expert on chimpanzees and really justifies all the effort put into the project . But if you needed any further proof , go up and watch Jill , who 's only two years old , discover the fun of swinging on a rope , or one of the adults absorbed in making a stick into a tool . That 's the real benefit of the new chimpanzee enclosure .
Idiom: word of mouth (used idiomatically: yes)
In the current period of political transition since the death of Brezhnev in 1982 , a lively debate is proceeding about the contours of a far - reaching reform of the Soviet economy . This project will look at one important aspect of economic reform — policy toward the allocation of labour among enterprises . Since the early 1950s the Soviet workforce has , in the main , found its jobs by methods familiar to workers outside the state socialist economies : advertisements at the factory gate , in newspapers , by word of mouth . The Soviet worker is free to choose his / her job and change jobs at will according to how they see their individual interests and inclinations . But this ‘ labour market’ has resulted in scarcities for the least desirable jobs and regions ( even despite generous wage incentives not enough people want to be coal miners in Siberia ) .
Idiom: off the cuff (used idiomatically: yes)
Within Protestantism a shift occurred — away from the exegetical principles of the Reformers themselves toward a more legalistic attitude . The respect in which this shift affected attitudes toward the Copernican system may not be immediately obvious because Luther and Calvin had both made disparaging remarks about the new astronomy . Whether Luther really referred to Copernicus as a fool has been doubted , but in an off - the - cuff dismissal he remembered that Joshua had told the sun , not the earth , to stand still . Superficially at least , Calvin was even more disparaging . In a sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:19–24 , he rebuked ' those dreamers who have a spirit of bitterness and contradiction , who reprove everything and pervert the order of nature . '
Idiom: see stars (used idiomatically: no)
With the IUE 's data on the ring 's real size and the Hubble 's picture showing its apparent size , it is possible to measure the distance to the supernova to an accuracy within 5 % . Previous estimates have been accurate only to within 12 % . A nice piece of work ; but bear in mind that a much more ambitious measurement , which would have taken the biggest chunk of the Hubble 's observing time , is completely beyond the telescope 's present capacity , because it involves seeing faint variable stars in far - off galaxies . The wide - field / planetary camera has produced its share of dramatic pictures , including detailed ones of a storm on Saturn the like of which has not been seen for 60 years . Perhaps its most spectacular snapshots are of a red giant star called h Carinae .
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
When the first episode of the cult series , The Prisoner is broadcast tonight for the fourth time . Thousands of people will be rubbing their hands with glee . They may know each of the 17 episodes off by heart , but The Prisoner is a television series like no other . It was made and first broadcast 25 years ago starring Patrick McGoohan in the title role and as Executive Producer . A Following has built up in its wake which now has its own momentum .
Idiom: a pretty penny (used idiomatically: yes)
Perhaps the shopkeeper should have a panic button under the counter to press during such a confrontation , and while humouring the shopper by pretending to go and look for some grey ones , stout men could rush in and restrain the customer before he can make it to his Access card . It 's not as if grey anoraks are cheap . Since they are hard to find , except in odd little shops that specialise in big underpants and sheepskin slippers for old people , they cost a pretty penny . A certain firm famous for their ‘ bags’ trouser suits , used to do an extensive line of grey anoraks , but they obviously had a visit from the style police and were made to put bits of navy blue and red in them or face a lengthy jail sentence . Not exactly Jean Paul Gaultier , but it 's a start .
Idiom: in cold blood (used idiomatically: yes)
But his gaze was rigidly fixed ahead as he steered the little helicopter up the meandering Thames . ‘ What else did they teach you in that Greek school of yours ? Presumably not the minor detail that young Anne was a designing little minx who married Henry in cold blood to further her own ambitions — and then did n't even have the sense or decency to stand by her bargain.’ The unfairness of what he was saying took Folly 's breath away . ‘ That 's ridiculous , Luke .
Idiom: every last (used idiomatically: yes)
Two weeks later , however , Michael Thomas scored his stunning last - minute Championship - winning goal at Anfield to provide me and thousands like me with the most intense moment of our lives . The timing of the goal was a vital ingredient of this delirium , of course(I for one had given up all hope by then ) , as was the venue ( we had n't won up there for decades ) ; but what really gave the night meaning was the anxiety and despair , year after year of it , that had gone before . I spent every last penny of my hoarded misery that night , blew eighteen years ' worth on one split second , and it felt better than anyone who is not a fan can ever be expected to understand . When Arsenal won the league again two years later , it did n't feel the same — partly because it was achieved in a less dramatic fashion , but mostly because I had nothing left . So being a fan is mostly about replenishment , and last year provided me with plenty of that ; outplayed by Benfica , two or three months of dismal ineptitude in the league around Christmas , and then the Wrexham humiliation …
Idiom: keep the peace (used idiomatically: yes)
In February a provincial council of the Canterbury clergy met to discuss affairs of church and realm to such good effect that further meetings of magnates with Lancaster resulted . And by April 1318 a group of bishops which included Canterbury , Norwich , Chichester , Winchester , Llandaff and Hereford reached an accord with Lancaster about his attendance at future parliaments . His distrust of the king was such that he had recently refused to attend or to do so without a large and menacing retinue ; now he agreed to be present and to keep the peace , while the bishops guaranteed his safety . The prelates continued to act as mediators throughout the summer months , assuring Lancaster of safety from the threats of the king 's latest favourites . The outcome of their efforts was the treaty of Leake in August 1318 which provided for a meeting of Lancaster and the king .
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
One of No 4 Region 's officers , Captain James Knowles , supported by Warrant Officer Ronald Fowles , spends much of his time advising , instructing and inspecting the catering operations of TA units the length and breadth of northern England . On 30 June 1989 , Captain Knowles and Warrant Officer Fowles were visiting the Army 's transit training camp at Scarborough to ensure that 35 Signal Regiment ( V ) from London on their annual summer training camp were enjoying a satisfactory standard of catering . This is particularly important When one considers that the TA soldier is fed by a TA chef , and although that TA chef wears an ACC cap badge , he can be recruited from any walk of life ranging from bus driver to company director , to sewerage worker . They are a wonderful bunch of men Who seem to find the hard physical work involved therapeutic . They really are a special breed .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm not sure it has had dynamic effects in the woodworking economy , but it is hard to forget , and I have relished getting to know many of the featured woodworkers . I 've also enjoyed watching furniture students progress with mixed success from college to those ranks of recognised craftspeople . Particular articles come to mind . My report on the Fine Wood Project in Western Australia was one of the most stimulating , as was the day out at John Makepeace 's Hooke Park College . I can dimly recall the challenges of testing a router photograph , and using it to create the November 1989 cover , while the picture of Mark Wilkinson 's treehouse made the February 1990 cover one of my favourites , especially as the references to Czechoslovakia and East Germany coincided with the break up of the Eastern Bloc .
Idiom: get to the bottom of (used idiomatically: yes)
If you ask for clarification then nine times out of ten you will get it . Seeking clarification is a frequent behaviour that exerts a powerful influence over the behaviour of the other person . It is a very useful behaviour when trying to get to the bottom of things and when you need to tease information out of the other person . Informing is the behaviour that happens more often than any other in conversation between people . This is n't surprising , of course , since the overall purpose of talking with someone is to impart information of some kind .
Idiom: get on someone's nerves (used idiomatically: yes)
I like the side bit you 're getting , oi ! Who are you talking about , shut your mouth ! Fucking getting on my nerves ! You 're a nutter ! A nutter !
Idiom: go hand in hand (used idiomatically: yes)
The amateur ideal prospered in its purest form in the Empire . ‘ Athleticism’ provided a crucial , distinctive element in the British ‘ imperial idea’ . A flair for games and a talent for government went hand in hand . The British were a superior race , blessed with exceptional energy , toughness , and qualities of leadership , which they refined in their play and used throughout the world to promote the rule of law , the Christian religion , and the ‘ rational’ use of economic resources . This ‘ civilizing mission’ was both a ‘ burden’and a ‘ duty’as well as being a source of pleasurable employment and riches .
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: yes)
If , for instance , a cloud is hovering over Times ~ Square , then we can determine its position relative to the surface of the earth by erecting a pole perpendicularly on the Square , so that it reaches the cloud .
Idiom: out of the running (used idiomatically: yes)
But for our purposes we can say that corporatism involves cooperative arrangements between government and non - governmental groups or institutions under which the latter , either in return for some benefit or in order to avoid some disadvantage , agree to act in a way which will further government policy . Some examples of such arrangements were given above as illustrations of the way in which governmental functions may be performed by non - governmental bodies . Corporatist arrangements may be given effect to formally by statute ( as in the case of the complex system of structured self - regulation established by the Financial Services Act 1986 ) or by contract ( as in the case of the contracting out of the running of the register of fighting dogs ) ; or they may operate purely by way of informal agreement . Corporatist arrangements play a part in the performance of a wide range of government functions including ( as we have seen ) the supply of welfare services and benefits and the regulation of economic and other activity . Corporatism in various forms has a very long history : for example , professional groups such as doctors and lawyers have regulated themselves for centuries ; indeed , voluntary self - regulation is a defining characteristic of a profession and has long been used as a way of avoiding government control .
Idiom: show the flag (used idiomatically: yes)
Burton filed it away . He was still not committing himself . There was a war to be fought ; and after that possibility evaporated , there was fun to be pirated wherever it showed its flag . From Winnipeg — where he had to work a bootlegging ruse to get a drink — he hitched to New York to stay with some friends of Philip : they were in Vermont and so he busked a few days in Manhattan , perhaps even sang for his supper in Greenwich Village . It would not be the first or the last time .
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: yes)
Teacher Shirley Bradburn , who organised the toy sale , said : ‘ There is high unemployment and social deprivation in the area , but our children realised how lucky they are in comparison with the starving children of Africa . ‘ I am very proud of the effort they have made and the sum raised.’ The pennies which changed hands raised a total of £ 85 which will be presented the British Red Cross at school assembly today . Head teacher Sheila Davies commented : ‘ As a church school we teach the children to appreciate what they have , and point out there are a lot of people in the world who are worse off . ‘ We do something like this every year between harvest time and Christmas .
Idiom: early bird (used idiomatically: yes)
Eager Tories with careers in mind light candles to their ambition . ‘ Look , there 's Michael Heseltine!’ The bars admit to standing room only ( early birds perch on stools ) , and the extensive lounges with their arm chairs set in fours soon fill to capacity . The air is filled with cut - glass as handsome women in the prime of life peck at each other 's cheeks and cry welcome ; their heavily built , blue - suited , florid - faced husbands exchange boxers ' handshakes with a contrived , Golf Club conviviality . ‘ Good to see you , Charles.’
Idiom: fly the flag (used idiomatically: yes)
On 6 June , a demonstration against a Chinese bank in the tough , working class district of Mongkok turned into a night of localised rioting . The Alliance called a general strike the next day , but cancelled further demonstrations , fearing fresh violence . Schools and most offices closed ; taxis flew black flags ; shops draped black banners from their windows ; convoys of lorries clogged roads towards the Chinese border . A mile - long queue of mourners carried a black coffin to the Xinhua building . Hong Kong 's immediate response to the massacre was , naturally enough , horror for the Peking dead .
Idiom: without fail (used idiomatically: yes)
I smiled . I no longer took what the English said seriously . ‘ Are you sure?’ they ask without fail , regardless of whether you are offering help or an invitation to lunch , giving them a cup of tea or paying their bus fare . After eating the piece of chicken dipped in cumin and saffron which he must have liked , he asked me where I came from . I told him and it was as if I 'd opened Heaven 's door .
Idiom: wear the trousers (used idiomatically: yes)
I want to — ' The doors swung open , and Caroline almost fell into the room . Nicolo stood before her , wearing his trousers and nothing else , a cold smile on his face . ' Caro , ' he said politely as he shut the door after her . ' What a charming surprise . '
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Look — here 's her address . She 's in Maryland . I know the address by heart , I 've written so often . She 's got a son.’ Miss Vinall wrote on the back of an old envelope .
Idiom: rain or shine (used idiomatically: yes)
She was brainy , except for maths , but was blessed with a maths mistress of infinite patience called Miss Walden , who gave her extra lessons . Jane would never forget her unselfish devotion . Jane was not popular : in order to be popular , you had to be good at games , and Jane was useless at all of them — and they played everything — netball , rounders , tennis , lacrosse , hockey — even cricket — every afternoon , rain or shine , exams or no exams . In cricket they used to put her at ‘ long leg’ where the ball hardly ever penetrated , and she would take a book and lie down to read in the long grass . Then on the rare occasion that the ball did come , of course , she missed it .
Idiom: put paid to (used idiomatically: yes)
AS the Belfast and District Chess league draws to a close , the various promotion and relegation issues are beginning to fall more clearly into place . Last week 's game in Division One served to reinforce Shorts title challenge . On Tuesday night they easily put paid to Newtownards ' slight remaining hopes , by beating them 3.5–1.5 . On the following evening , their closest challengers Malone defeated CIYMS by a similar scoreline . All of which means that Shorts require just three points from their final match of the season to clinch the championship .
Idiom: on the wagon (used idiomatically: yes)
He took his stand sturdily , folded his hands , and looked round them all in turn , as at a panel of his judges . ‘ I have that to tell you that I should have told before this , since it has to do with the issue that is now in dispute among all here . It is known that the reliquary of Saint Winifred was taken away on the wagon that was loaded with timber for Ramsey , but no one has shown how this came about . This thing was my doing . I avow it .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: yes)
He bombarded us in his zest for education , entertainment and , indeed , any intellectual exercise , but in the early days was oblivious to our hesitant reactions . Yet , when he did notice somebody was down , he was always very concerned and would try to cope with it , as with everything , head on . His strength of character was invaluable in dealing with the guards and his commitment to his fellow hostages was such that he would listen quietly and matter of factly on the occasions when we all had a heart - to - heart about the little ways in which we got on each others ' nerves . As with Brian , and I hope myself , Terry worked on these areas to try and even off the rough edges . Tom , on the other hand , did n't seem to have any rough edges .
Idiom: turn the corner (used idiomatically: yes)
Gray also reported making three sales ‘ three times as many as I made last year’ . ‘ We 've already paid for our booth and have a serious bite on a really big picture,’ says Gerald Stiebel . ‘ The general feeling around here is : we 've finally turned the corner.’ New York Feigen 's Guercino
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
Rows of cannabis leaves are painted onto the prow . Notches in their guns . These are large hauls hijacked at sea . It is a waste of money if that is all they do . I look hard for cocaine emblems , but as the paintwork is white I am not sure how it could be illustrated .
Idiom: put your foot down (used idiomatically: yes)
does she ? I want biscuits . You want biscuits , well we 've got some biscuits , but you 'll just have to wait a minute , I ca n't unpack everything now , alright , right let 's see if we can find the car Get you two in the car first I think , right then , oh , what a heavy trolley full of food Oh dear , dear , dear , will you please put your feet down Charlotte , stop me being kicked . Where 's the sun , where 's the sun gone ? Where 's the sun gone ?
Idiom: sign of the times (used idiomatically: yes)
He would hammer the point of the nail flat on a metal block , file it to an arrow shape , then cutting off the head , would use this as a drill . ' You 've got to use your loaf boy , ' he would say . Signs of the times Your leader commentary ' Sign of The Times'(WW / Dec.91/p.1230 ) referring to the lack of entries in the furniture competition poses some interesting comments . Possibly because of their comparative youth the organisers have completely failed to understand the revolution which has taken place in the cabinetmaking trade during the last 50–60 years .
Idiom: for a song (used idiomatically: yes)
Dreams within reach Great deals on top roadsters CAR CLASSICS GO FOR A SONG PSSST … Wanna buy a cheap motor guv ?
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
For the most part , the severity and implications of the financial crisis were judged well . Lessons from the October 2008 WEO , which analyzed recoveries after systemic financial stress , were incorporated into subsequent forecasts . As a result , predictions for the United ~ States – where household deleveraging continues to constrain economic growth – have fallen short only modestly . The April 2010 report forecast a US growth rate of roughly 2.5 % annually in 2012 - 2013 ; current projections put the rate a little higher than 2 % . By contrast , the fiscal multiplier was seriously underestimated – as the WEO has now recognized .
Idiom: off the record (used idiomatically: yes)
Managers may be used to using briefs and may not want to stray off them too far . But , as on other occasions when they think for themselves , they may well end up agreeing with you . Off the record , of course ! In other days Managers would have put up an argument as to the folly of this approach by Management . Collectively they used to be a formidable bunch .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
Stand up and wait for silence . If necessary , tap a glass for attention before starting to speak . A few well - aimed , well - considered words above the hubbub may well do the trick . The first paragraph of your speech after the preamble should be designed to hold everyone 's attention . It is also worth remembering that the way to hold someone 's attention is to look at them .
Idiom: keep up appearances (used idiomatically: yes)
' There is this for you , ' he said , thrusting out an envelope . ' I am sorry , I did n't remember it while we were talking . ' He hurried back to the hotel , trying to rush but also to keep up the appearance of quiet dignity his employers would expect of him . The envelope was typed with Rain 's initial and surname . On the sheet of paper inside she read the baldest message .
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
The sentence rings a bell with me . Where have I read it before ?
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: yes)
' And Mathilde was a talented story - teller . ' ' She sounds an absolute ghoul ! ' ' She 'd tell us these tales on a dark December night , around the fire in the kitchen . She was an encyclopaedia of superstitions and proverbs . The best bit of Mathilde 's Ghar Hasan story is her version of what befell the daughter of family friends . '
Idiom: eat someone alive (used idiomatically: yes)
I was somewhat fascinated by this German gun . I found myself listening for the distinct crack , then gazing up at the clear starry sky trying to follow the flight of the shell . ‘ Piper , ’ Sid 's voice from the back of his trench sounded agitated , ‘ I 'm knackered , and these bloody mauses are eating me alive ! Do you mind if I have a fag ? The smoke may help to keep them away , then I 'll go first on the gun . ’
Idiom: on the money (used idiomatically: yes)
The sport itself and the money , shelter them from the kind of rough - and - ready exchange that brings ordinary people back from the brink of conflict and leads them to see their adversaries as people . Then there is a natural antagonism between drivers and bosses . Jackie Stewart stated that when he contributed to ' professionalizing ' the sport ; drivers continued in his wake , creating an adversarial relationship between those who drove and risked their lives and those who lived , on sponsor money , high on the hog and risked little but their reputations . Constructors resent the celebrity of drivers ; drivers resent the anonymity and distance of constructors . But between Lauda and Ron Dennis there was a further gulf .