Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: free and easy (used idiomatically: yes)
TRIED AND TESTED This comfortable lightweight jacket gives good protection from the elements without feeling like a heavy duty mountain coat . The free and easy movement of the fabric , particularly around the arms , means the jacket comes into its own when you 're climbing and scrambling . The supple two layer Ferrara Gore - Tex is also hard wearing . The jacket comes with a two - way front zip protected by a storm flap and fastened with press studs , while an internal front zip allows you to zip in a fleece jacket .
Idiom: from the cradle to the grave (used idiomatically: yes)
nursing homes . Where 's the power to choose for those elderly people that want free at the point of service National Health Service treatment ? It was , or it has been , a believe that the N H S was for all of us from the cradle to the grave . It 's now a sick joke in the Health Service , it 's from the cradle to the Waldergrave . And quite rightly , it 's gon na be the subject of a Parliamentary Health Committee Enquiry which starts next week .
Idiom: cost the earth (used idiomatically: yes)
NUCLEAR power and more competition were offered to the Conservative conference yesterday as the Government 's answer to protecting the environment and safeguarding the future of planet Earth . Reaffirming the promise to privatise the electricity industry within the life of this Parliament , John Wakeham , Secretary of State for Energy , said competition between generating companies would be a massive incentive to use fuel more efficiently and keep costs down . ‘ For us , energy need n't cost the earth . And it won't,’ he told the conference . ‘ Nuclear power is , without a doubt , the cleanest — and by any objective criteria — safest way of sustaining growth and protectingthe environment at the same time .
Idiom: in the can (used idiomatically: yes)
' Have you got any dustbin bags ? ' asked Simon . ' I 'll take this lot to the nearest litter bin . ' Marie held the bag open while he tipped in the empty drink cans . They worked in silence until he said , ' Do you mind if I ask you something ? ' ' No , course not . '
Idiom: come unstuck (used idiomatically: yes)
By Dave Houghton RECORD books will have to be checked to find out when Liverpool Angling Society were not on top of the Wirral Winter League table . It 's about five years , but they came unstuck on the Shropshire Union Canal at the Golden Nook , Chester , on Sunday , and now lie second to Irby AC . Steve Peers , fishing for Wirral Borough Council , could not lay his hands on any bloodworm , the most popular match bait on the can also put his faith in caster and won the match with 2 lb 7 oz . It was his first win in the league and came from a peg at Waverton , where he used a loaded waggler to drag his bit along the far bank and catch quality roach to eight ounces .
Idiom: go without saying (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ … Look , Mr Holly , I 've painted the picture black , because that 's the only honest thing to do . We 'll keep trying , of course , that goes without saying , but in the present climate of relations there 's little chance of your situation altering dramatically . You 'll be going to the camps and you have to come to terms with that . What I 'm saying is — well , you have to learn to live in those places , Mr Holly .
Idiom: cut and thrust (used idiomatically: yes)
It also depended on the promotion of the belief that free markets are both economically efficient and socially just — and in crucial respects local government stood in the way of such promotion . It was not only a substantial spender of public money , but also a major provider of public services , often allocated collectively , sometimes even on the criteria of social need . Moreover , in some places these services were explicitly provided , usually by Labour - controlled authorities , to offer protection against the ‘ purifying winds’ of the market , and to mitigate the cut and thrust of commercial rationality . Local governments are thus not just caught up in recent political conflicts as some innocent or neutral part of the political machine , but are themselves crucial in interpreting and promoting social change . The conflict between central and local government referred to in Chapter 4 has been clouded by both inter- and intra - party disputes .
Idiom: blood and guts (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Wish I 'd seen it,’ Ben Bradshaw said mournfully . ‘ Nothing like that ever happens to me . All I get is the blood and guts.’ ‘ Ah , poor boy,’ Kath teased . ‘ Never mind , there 's a nice toenail in cubicle three you can go and remove to cheer you up.’
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: no)
A safe pair of hands for the ADSW There 's a saying in Scotland ‘ It takes a long spuin to sup wi ' a Fifer’ . Loosely translated , it means you 've got to get up pretty early in the morning to get the better of Fife folk . Jimmy Dick , the new president of the ADSW , is of that breed . Born in a small mining village near Glenrothes , he has climbed the ladder by learning his craft .
Idiom: state of the art (used idiomatically: yes)
The United ~ Center , home for the Bulls and Chicago ~ Blackhawks , opened for the 1994 - 95 season , and the Bulls began using the Sheri ~ L .~ Berto ~ Center , their state - of - the - art training facility , in 1992 .
Idiom: in black and white (used idiomatically: no)
Under the editorship of Roman Prahl of the National Gallery of Prague , the first foreign language Czech art periodical has been launched , entitled Bulletin of the National Gallery in Prague , with articles in French , English and German . Somewhat behind schedule , the 1991 volume appeared this May and includes a broad range of studies on works in the Gallery 's collection and on the history of the Gallery itself . The bulletin is fully illustrated in black and white and articles include : ‘ Paintings by the Vivarinis in the National Gallery’ by Hana Hlavackova ; ‘ Dürer 's ‘ Feast of the Rosegarlands’ : a Venetian Altarpiece’by Peter Humfrey ; ‘ Abraham Bloemaert and his son Hendrik : two unpublished drawings’by Anna Rollova ; and ‘ Leos Kubicke 's sculpture ‘ Lips’ , 1916’by Jiri Zemanek . The editor intends two issues for 1992 , the second in the form of a report on the Gallery 's activities . The publication has received financial support from the Czech Ministry of Culture but is still in need of funding to ensure its survival .
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: no)
For all the fascination of this quest , we have to ask whether its outcome really matters . It is not nearly so intriguing for this writer as is the closed book of Vincent 's intimate life in this unlikely household , with a woman who allowed him to clean her up , who tended and fed her like a mother , rocked the cradle of her newborn baby , and shared his food and his room with her . We do have a few glimpses , through the keyhole as it were . It makes more sense to enquire into his attempts to reform this woman , and then to glorify her and her child in a whole series of marvellous drawings , than to establish a dubious fatherhood he in any case assumed at the outset , emotionally and spiritually and with the utmost delight . The horrible emptiness of his heart , mocked in a cruel doubling by his empty room , was now filled with a domesticity he had thought would never be his .
Idiom: give someone the slip (used idiomatically: yes)
She had never been exposed to anything like it before , and initially she found being the centre of attention quite amusing . The sight of dozens of photographers leaping to their lenses every time she opened her front door made her giggle . She enjoyed giving them the slip , as she sometimes succeeded in doing . On one occasion she packed up her car as if about to go away for the weekend , then sauntered up the street , leading the press to believe she had gone to buy a packet of Polos . By the time she reappeared , she had been up to Scotland and back , to spend the weekend with Charles at the Queen Mother 's home , Birkhall .
Idiom: at the crossroads (used idiomatically: yes)
In spite of these affinities , however , it should be remembered that the Kingscote mosaic itself is assigned only tentatively to integral group ( a ) : it could overlap with , or be considered part of , integral group ( b ) . Johnson ( loc . cit . ) indeed , makes a good case for the mosaic as a product of a group of mosaicists based at Ilchester — an argument which , even if not accepted in detail ( section 4.8 ) , reminds us of the important affinities between this mosaic and others to the south . The Kingscote mosaic itself , like those of rooms 5 , 11 and 14 at Chedworth , could lie at a stylistic crossroads ' . It would be ambitious , therefore , on the basis of their similarities with this mosaic , to include the basic concentric circular arrangements from Cirencester or Lydney . With relieved swastika meanders however , some examples of affinity with comparable mosaics from sites possessing Orpheus pavements is apparent .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
Asda and Gateway , two British retailers , are experimenting with their own discount formats . But start - ups can be costly . Erteco , for example , broke even for the first time only last year . Rather than setting up their own discount arm , food retailers could simply sell cut - price brands in their superstores . However a new range of cheap , in - house brands could put pressure on retailers to lower prices on their existing own - label products too , leaving them worse off .
Idiom: squeaky clean (used idiomatically: no)
Since she hardly ever drank , she 'd probably have a hangover to contend with on top of everything else come morning , but frankly it would be a relief to have something else to think about other than Adam . Back in bed she sipped morosely at the whisky , grimacing slightly at its taste , then giggling wryly at her own reaction . So much for the brash and brassy singer with the penchant for life 's excesses — she was so squeaky - clean it was an effort to drink the whisky ! Adam would never believe it . But then he was n't likely to believe anything good about her , she realised with a sudden profound pang of sorrow .
Idiom: take the plunge (used idiomatically: yes)
He kept out the challenge of the New Zealander Matt Brick who was n't far behind . America 's Liz Downing took advantage of Melissa 's little local difficulty to take the women 's prize . Now they 're tuned up and ready to take the plunge for the triathlon season ahead . Police are searching for people who attacked a pony , leaving it with a gaping wound six inches long in its leg . It 's thought the attackers used either a knife or a wooden stake .
Idiom: see red (used idiomatically: yes)
Just the place to get your breath back . Follow the road back to the Forestry information centre at Glenmoret . Quiet and observant walkers may see red deer along this particular stretch . When you reach the main road at the information centre , turn right for the car park . The Cairngorms are the only place in the country where you can see reindeer in the wild
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: no)
In Rome and Greece , men and women even cross-dressed for the occasion . Each noble household chose its beggar-king , who would take the head of the table to ‘ rule the roast ’ . This expressions survives today as ‘ rule the roost ’ . This jester-king was a hand-me-down from darker times when the blessings of the New Year were guaranteed by the sacrifice of the mock king after he had a jolly good time . In early Rome this took place at the old New Year which was in March — the Ides of March to be precise .
Idiom: in the same breath (used idiomatically: yes)
After winning two league championship medals at Old Trafford , Law eventually returned on a free transfer to Maine Road . In 1964 he was voted European Footballer of the Year and in a long career with Scotland he won 55 caps and earned the interchangeable nicknames ‘ Denis The Menace’ or simply ‘ The King’ . It would be a disservice to Denis Law to mention him in the same breath as some of Scotland 's more notorious hell - raisers . He was not the most guilty man to pull on a navy - blue jersey , but he was hardly an angel either . Unlike Jim Baxter , who was over subscribed with confidence , Law was a more nervous and reluctant anti - hero , a blonde on the fringes of misadventure .
Idiom: on someone's mind (used idiomatically: no)
‘ Each one’ , he said by way of final adjudication , ‘ will perform that operation for himself.’ Although we did not attend it , we had visited St Stephen 's , Gloucester Road , together , no doubt out of forgivable curiosity , though Eliot might not have thought excusable any curiosity he had been the means of exciting in that sphere . But he seemed disposed on this occasion to discuss St Stephen 's , because its problems had lately been much on his mind . The details have escaped me , but he and Sir Andrew Clarke , as churchwardens ( their memorial tablets are near to each other in the south transept ) had been obliged to take legal action over the advowson — the word which , because of its precision of meaning and its sound , I could see he enjoyed introducing ; but they had evidently covered themselves in so doing , because , the Anglican Church being established , their office carried official responsibilities . Although Eliot was privately a most generous man — to an extent that many people , especially the young , may not always have been aware — he exercised a public prudence that sometimes faintly amused his associates .
Idiom: keep a straight face (used idiomatically: yes)
As soon as I entered the room I could hear little pockets of chatter coming from various parts of the audience . I knew they were talking about me , and some of them were , pointing at Dawn . It was really difficult to keep a straight face , but then Mr Taylor ‘ introduced’ us and I just forgot about my shyness and launched into my speech . I 'd already set up the perch , so I put Dawn on it as I spoke . I was becoming an old hand by now ; I was n't nearly as nervous as I had been the other times , even though the audience was twice the size .
Idiom: on the mend (used idiomatically: yes)
Prison officers hit back at critical report . It WILL get better . Major says Britain 's on the mend . And , find these four . New clues in prostitute murder hunt .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
" When you did me the honour of appointing me to the Mastership of Stockport School I was led to suppose that the Income , inclusive of Ten Pounds paid by your Worshipful Company , amounted to nearly Three Hundred Pounds per annum , and from an Enquiry , however , during my Residence here , I have had the Mortification to find that the whole Salary was not more than £ 25 10 10½d , so that it was impossible for me to remain in the Situation without a Prospect of Church Preferment in the Neighbourhood , which I have no reason to hope for . I must beg therefore to give up the appointment and request you to accept my Resignation . Yet I can not relinquish the Situation without expressing my Obligation for your appointment though the Emolument fell short of what I was taught to expect . " I have the Honour to be , Gentlemen , " With great respect , your obliged and " very humble Servant , " George Porter . " In December 1792 the Goldsmiths met again to appoint a new Master , Hoyle , a graduate of Pembroke College , Cambridge , re - applied , and this time was successful .
Idiom: hit the road (used idiomatically: no)
We moved off in the direction of the crossroads , the scene of yesterday 's action . On reaching the crossroads , we moved quickly to the right , and up the very dusty road leading to the village . This was the road where the bagpipes had been hit by a piece of shrapnel . About a hundred yards from the village we came under automatic fire from somewhere on our left , and continued the rest of the way walking in the ditch . As we entered the village and turned right there were two dead German soldiers lying in the middle of the road .
Idiom: hot air (used idiomatically: yes)
Branson sets his sights on crossing Pacific by balloon By MARY FAGAN , Technology Correspondent RICHARD BRANSON , head of the Virgin entertainment and airline empire , will make his next assault on the record books in November when he tries to cross the Pacific in a hot air balloon . The balloon , twice the height of Nelson 's Column and the width of the Albert Hall in London , is the largest yet built . It will ride the jet stream between the troposphere and stratosphere at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour ( 200 mph ) and will carry atmospheric experiments for the Japanese meteorological agency .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
Projected savings arising from changes in central administration , financial services , libraries , planning and development , and housing appear to be unrealistically high,’ said Raymond Wood . Touche Ross reckoned that the extra costs resulting from setting up 51 councils would be £ 58 million but the figure could be closer to £ 184 million . Far from the break even point — where overall costs and savings would balance — being at the 43 authorities mark , it would be achieved if 24 authorities were created . ‘ And the point is that the savings increase below this number as authorities become fewer and larger,’ added Raymond Wood . Lothian goes local
Idiom: make yourself scarce (used idiomatically: yes)
It may mean some gentle but very straight talking , if your parent does not realise your need to have time alone with your friends , but if you can not bring yourself to establish this right , you will have precious little hope of organising any other social activities that will give you a break from daily routine . If the bedroom you occupy is large enough to be turned into a comfortable bed - sitting - room , or if you have your own private sitting - room in the house , you can avoid trouble and confrontation by entertaining friends there , and that will be the end of it ; but if not , after a tactful explanation of your needs to your parent , you should get to the point of suggesting clearly that she might agree to retire to her room for a few hours sometimes when your friends come to the home ( after you have all shared a meal together first , if she wishes ) . You should also have set an example for this beforehand , by sometimes making yourself scarce when your parent 's friends come , without being in any way unsociable or unwilling to prepare food and drink for them . You may have to face up to a display of feelings of hurt or rejection ; but if your parent is a naturally unselfish person ( and not mentally impaired ) who had simply failed to realise your need for this degree of privacy and emotional ‘ living - space’ , she will probably be only too anxious to co - operate . If not , you may have to steel yourself to deal with surprise and indignation from her .
Idiom: out on a limb (used idiomatically: yes)
Without taking away from the association 's present main activities in forming international teams and organising international events — mirrored by the clubs ' heavy orientation towards racing — it was agreed that the whole base of the sport needed widening . How each existing club will adapt to this remains to be seen , but clear messages for more non - competitive activity came across , including the civilising of premises where necessary . A strong need to improve the geographical spread was found , with Inverness the only centre in the Highlands , and Aberdeen — strong though it may be — also out on a limb . Largely because the sport had focused almost entirely on the racing craft used on inland waters , the Firths of Clyde , Forth and Tay , which had been strong centres once , had all but died away : with Royal West boating mainly in Glasgow and the new Dundee University on the Tay near Perth . Even with the present set - up , their seemed reasonable recruitment figures overall but few stayed the course to reach the upper levels of racing achievement creating what was described as ‘ a meatless sandwich.’
Idiom: speak volumes (used idiomatically: yes)
But we could n't add to our early goal and just lost our shape a bit when they came back at us . ‘ Mind you , not too many teams would concede a late equaliser in those circumstances and still bounce back to snatch a winner . ‘ That spoke volumes for the character as well as quality of our squad — no matter what others might think.’ Midfielder David Batty is battling to be fit for tomorrow 's trip to Aston Villa after missing the second half of Saturday 's win with a damaged calf . MONDAY 'S Mirror Sport on Kinnear 's attack
Idiom: cut loose (used idiomatically: no)
( BUC F29 0420 2 ) ( 14 ) The Bonaventure was quivering and lurching like an old spavined mare . Her stern was down and a sharp list helped us to cut loose the lifeboat , which dropped heavily into the water . ( BUC N21 0150 14 ) Such uses suggest very strongly that there is in fact a difference in meaning between the two constructions .
Idiom: and then some (used idiomatically: no)
go there . yes , it tends to finish right there so . You should then find twelve monthly expense summaries and then some annual expense summaries . These are probably useless to you . Er , so stick them in the storage binder please .
Idiom: play for time (used idiomatically: yes)
In February 1915 the National Union Executive refused to sanction a scheme to use the party agents to find recruits , since it " might savour of compulsion " and in April the Committee refused to debate a motion on compulsory service because of the party truce . In September , the Executive asked to meet Bonar Law to discuss the subject , now that Unionists were in government , but Law refused any outside discussion until the cabinet had made up its mind . Throughout the winter of 1915–16 , Law played for time and stalled demands for a meeting of the Central Council , while Unionist ministers pressed the party case in cabinet . Party opinion was mollified by the Derby Scheme of November 1915 , whereby the agents and activists of both parties were used to canvass for recruits ; the party organization was turned over entirely to recruiting and the scheme cost the party £ 29,000 . By February 1916 pressure was mounting again , and resolutions calling for compulsory national service were flowing in ; the Executive refused to debate them , but passed them on to Law nevertheless .
Idiom: born and bred (used idiomatically: no)
‘ I 'm especially pleased you have such a fondness for babies . Adelaide and I were never blessed with children , but it has always been my dearest wish to have a family.’ For a girl born and bred in the slums of Clerkenwell she showed surprising embarrassment at the discreet mention of his hopes . She lost the colour which had tinted her pale cheeks to the velvety beauty of pink rose petals , and her lower lip was drawn in slightly . For the rest of the short journey she sat beside him uneasily , no longer so taken with her surroundings .
Idiom: on the face of it (used idiomatically: yes)
The possibility of an inextricable connection between these qualities has long been debated , with sharp differences of opinion . For some the conjunction has seemed obvious , for others itself a sign of fancy stretched beyond the bounds of credibility . On the face of it the latter view certainly seems the more rational , since the two states in question appear to contain elements that are inherently irreconcilable . One , with its morbid traits of personalised delusion , chaotic thinking , and bizarre affect , is so self - destructive that it frequently reduces the sufferer to psychological incompetence . The other demands talents beyond — in the case of the most creative far beyond — the average , the ability to have insights or craft exquisite objects which , by common consent , we judge of great scientific value or aesthetic worth .