Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: out on a limb (used idiomatically: yes)
Mm in different directions , erm we very very fine shapers in this in these sessions . I 've had two or three I think , very rarely do we find them and shapers tend to go out on a limb they tend to want to lead they tend to want to control they want people to follow their way they do tend to be the people that dig in and say you know this is the way we do it . Hence if you have a few shapers you might have noticed the tendencies in the group group discussion that we had because there 'll be people digging in and saying no this is the right way to do it . No I 'm right and you 're wrong , and you can tell very very clearly when you have a shaper within a group .
Idiom: sleep rough (used idiomatically: yes)
Only last month an investigation by The Northern drew attention to the increasing problems of solvent abuse in North - East towns and cities . Our reporters uncovered a generation who have been sucked into a dark underworld of solvent abuse and hard drugs . Many are sleeping rough , some are even offering sexual services in return for the next fix . Now the Government has moved to tackle the growing problem with four hard - hitting TV advertisements , as part of a £ 1.4 m crackdown on sniffers . The adverts are designed to shock abusers and make parents more aware of the dangers .
Idiom: have someone's number (used idiomatically: yes)
Mhm . And er hopefully John 's making plenty of these out as well . Every sales consultant , as we call them now not reps , erm has his or her own unique number . Mhm . Each er assignment has a unique number .
Idiom: kill the goose that lays the golden eggs (used idiomatically: yes)
But lower taxes and a prudent approach to borrowing do not mean public spending fall ; quite the reverse . A lightly - taxed economy generates more economic growth , and more revenue . High taxes kill the goose that lays the golden eggs . In the course of its last five years in office , Labour was forced to cut public spending in real terms . By contrast , the Conservatives have been able to raise public spending by nearly a quarter in real terms .
Idiom: save face (used idiomatically: yes)
His real reason for being there was odd enough without having to concoct others . He suddenly realised he had newer thought of the possible need to tell lies about why he was there . There was an awkward silence which Maidstone might have broken with some amiable remark to save Sandison 's face . Maidstone did nothing of the sort . He stood there waiting silently for Sandison to work his own way out of the difficulty and Sandison realised there was a calculating hardness to this man .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
At the stairfoot , Silly - Willie , on his way to some fire with a vast contribution of logs , put down his load and goggled at them . When they came nearer he did a little dancing step and curtsied low . Nicandra smiled and acknowledged the obeisance as if it was from a dog doing its trick . " Is he all there ? " Lalage asked when they were out of hearing .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
The Forum Gallery has gathered a group of paintings , drawings and pastels by Walkowitz , on view until 17 October and if you hurry you can catch a show of drawings that Walkowitz did of the dancer Isadora Duncan until 9 October at Zabriskie . In one sense Milton Resnick has always been a Minimalist : his paintings characteristically consist of a single all - over field of colour . But minimal is not an adjective that comes easily to mind when you pour over his sensuously - worked surfaces and layers of tonally - related hues . New work by this veteran artist ' The Judgment of Paris series ' is being presented at Robert Miller until the 17th of this month . A true minimalist of the distinctly younger generation , a Frenchman living in New York named Bruno Rousselot , exhibits his close - valued , linear abstractions all this month at Lennon - Weinberg .
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: yes)
His mother Elsie said : ‘ We 've got three other children . They 're our only family now — he has only brought us shame.’ Watson , who turned to crime after moving to London , slumped in the dock of Inner London Crown Court as Judge Brian Pryor handed out the sentence on Monday . One of Watson 's victims yesterday said he had no sympathy for his attacker . Colin Connolly , 66 , was punched and his wife 's handbag , with £ 65 cash , was snatched .
Idiom: laugh like a drain (used idiomatically: yes)
1980 : Randy Crawford 's One Day I 'll Fly Away . On Top Of The Pops I told her I was in love with her — and she laughed like a drain . 1981 : Tainted Love , by Soft Cell .
Idiom: talk of the devil (used idiomatically: no)
Then suddenly she said , ' Good lord ! Talk of the devil . ' And she pointed to the window , saying , ' There she is now ! She must be seeing him off .
Idiom: go through the motions (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Cricket has become too much of a business . The prime concern of administrators around the world is making money , not providing entertainment . Players just go through the motions and their lack of pleasure is conveyed to the crowds . Cultural rot has set in.’ Wright , who also publishes the almanac , has often voiced his dislike of one - day cricket in the pages of Wisden but denies being a ‘ a fuddy - duddy,’ declaring : ‘ I 'm fairly easy - going and I like rock and roll.’
Idiom: neck and neck (used idiomatically: yes)
JON LANDER / Political Editor Voice over Nationally the opinion polls have Labour and Conservative running neck and neck . But here in the Central South area the real contest is between the Tories and the Liberal Democrats . In 1987 the Lib Dems came second to the Conservatives in two thirds of the seats and this time they look like the main challengers .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
However , it has always been difficult in Cologne to sell a piece over DM 100,000 . Although many German collectors buy in a higher range , they do so in metropolises like New York and London , not Cologne . So , in the long run Berlin will have its own version of Cork Street where one can buy an early Baselitz , Kounellis or Richter , and perhaps new works by such artists . Before the war all the important dealers were Jewish , and they worked from Berlin because it was the place of international business . Then they went to New York , and you feel it there the presence of many intellectual people .
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
There is no priority amongst them : all four parts are necessary . And there is no implication that children start by learning about language forms , and then eventually progress to learning about , say , dialects . Nevertheless , these implications have been taken by many readers , who feared a return to learning definitions off by heart . For the purpose of formulating a curriculum , it is more helpful to present things in the following order : a )
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: yes)
I then knit a piece of lace fabric just wide enough to stretch round the base of the cone and long enough to cover it . Sew this into a tube over the cone . fix it firmly at the vase with a few stitches or a spot of glue and pull it round the ‘ neck’ by winding a thread round it ( you 'll have a few small folds here ) . Paint the eyes and mouth on the ‘ face’ and your angel is then ready for wings and halo . |The easiest ‘ wings’ are made of a rectangle of nylon net , tightly gathered in the centre to form two wings .
Idiom: on the rebound (used idiomatically: no)
That was largely due to John McKee who started off as sweeper but ended up playing in front of teenage centre back Mark Molloy and cut out many threatening moves . East Grinstead 's first goal , though , was a disaster for the Holywood defence , Great Britain Olympic gold medallist Richard Leman scoring from close in following a penalty corner . The Englishmen 's winning goal also came from a penalty corner , Will Champness pouncing on a rebound off Thompson . But their other eight awards were squandered as a result of a badly worked routine . Holywood 's best period came just before the interval , with Carl Anderson getting in behind the defence but just failing to pick out Colin Irwin .
Idiom: come up roses (used idiomatically: yes)
This has gone on long enough.’ ‘ I always said you had a vivid imagination,’ she side - stepped . ‘ Everything 's fine , everything 's coming up roses.’ He shook his head . ‘ Not so .
Idiom: every which way (used idiomatically: yes)
You live with them a while and you forget how a white person talks . " I could n't see Russell 's face or his reaction to all this . But a minute later I could see what was going to happen and I began thinking every which way of how to change the subject . " A white woman , " Mrs. Favor said,"couldn't live the way they do . The Apache women rubbing skins and grinding corn , their hair greasy and full of vermin .
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
The weigh in I was talking to somebody in bread shop and she 's doing it as well Does anyone ever ring the bell Carrie ? All the Brownies ' mums are gon na be wasting away All the mums
Idiom: body blow (used idiomatically: yes)
He has suffered much ; and certainly his statements to the press have been angry and bitter . There are rumours that it was his African neighbours who wanted him locked up . Wherever the truth may lie , it is a body - blow to the hopes of political ' detente ' between black and white . Some , on both sides , will be glad . Others will not — like Brian O'Connell , shrewd head of the International Red Cross here ( as well as of a big business house ) .
Idiom: part company (used idiomatically: yes)
Kippin : ‘ We actually do it’ Puzzle Weekly : Extension Wootton and HCK to part company by Chris Boulding Horner Collis & Kirvan media director Bob Wootton is to leave the agency — a further repercussion of the merger with Colman RSCG .
Idiom: hit home (used idiomatically: yes)
Then Congress took a break for Easter . In retrospect , that was the turning point . Democrats found in their districts that Republican charges that Mr Clinton was a ‘ tax - and - spend liberal’ had hit home . When members of Congress returned to Washington , not only did the Senate Republicans stand firm a third time , but conservative and moderate Democrats were emboldened to seek further cuts in spending , together with modifications to Mr Clinton 's energy tax . In the House , where not a single Republican vote was expected in favour of the president 's plan , rebel Democrats concentrated on measures to cap the growth in ‘ entitlement’ spending on pensions , health care and the like .
Idiom: out of the box (used idiomatically: yes)
When he got through and began to speak he cheered up as he laughed and talked away , before becoming depressed at the end of the call . He put the phone down , turned , and spotted me watching him . He came out of the phone - box and I pushed my bicycle beside him through the crowds . I badly wanted to know his opinion on the Anwar business , but obviously he was n't in the mood for it now . ' How 's Eva ? '
Idiom: foot the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
This was her very first taste of only the best being good enough — and she liked it ! It was Paula 's job to show samples , parading slowly up and down in front of the clients as they sat on the elegant spindle - leg chairs taking in every detail of the garments with a critical and practised eye . Sometimes they came alone , sometimes with a man in tow — to foot the bill ! Paula guessed . The appearance of a famous face in the show rooms always caused a stir amongst the girls , who all longed to hook a wealthy husband — and if he had a title , like the Aly Khan , or was a film star like Omar Shariff , then so much the better !
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: yes)
The good news is that as none of your other fishes have shown any signs of disease it sounds as if it was something non - infectious , so that you should have nothing to worry about regarding their health . Unfortunately fish , like us all , do not live for ever , and some have shorter live spans than others . A single death should always be regarded as possible cause for concern , but unless further cases occur you can regard it as just one of those things . Growing the Indian Fern Q. I would like to grow the beautiful Indian fern but so far I have been unsuccessful .
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
( 3 ) The most convenient slides for mounting embryos for viewing are tissue typing slides ( Baird & Tatlock , details in Section 5 ) . Place each slide in a container of adequate depth and immerse the slide in liquid paraffin oil . With the slide and its container under a binocular microscope use a mouth pipette to dispense a small volume of M2 + BSA under the oil and into the centre of each well . Add small groups of the labelled embryos to these drops . Reduce the volume of the drops , remove the slide from the oil , drain it slightly and apply a glass coverslip .
Idiom: beat about the bush (used idiomatically: yes)
With physics , you find things about the environment , you know , things you would n't normally think about . Physics is more or less talking about actual things in life . That 's the difference between arts and science , because you 've actually got something there you can look at and study , so you 're talking about facts , whereas in the arts side it 's all airy - fairy and you 're beating about the bush a lot . I 'm not one for doing things like that . I 'd rather have something there that I can look at and take hold of ideas , and actually get to grips with something that 's actually there .
Idiom: first come, first served (used idiomatically: no)
And Chelsea have refused Albion permission to field on-loan midfielder Alan Dickens in case he is required in later rounds of the competition at Stamford Bridge . Ardiles said : ‘ We know the pressure is on us because we are expected to win . But the way Wycombe came back at us in the first game should serve as a warning that it will not be easy . ’ Wycombe , handsome leaders of the Conference , expect to be backed by an army of 3,500-plus travelling fans and O'Neill promised : ‘ We 'll be giving it our best shot for them . ’ Beasant deal off
Idiom: have someone's number (used idiomatically: yes)
' Oh , well . ' She had done it once , she could do it again . ' Do you have his telephone number ? ' ' Mr Laszlo 's a very busy man ; he does n't care to be disturbed . I think it would be much better if you wrote a letter in the first instance .
Idiom: head south (used idiomatically: yes)
Continue on tracks heading east around the bottom of the tarn and after around ⅓ of a mile turn right and head south . After around ⅔ of a mile the route curves around as though it 's heading towards the village of Satterthwaite only to curve round back east — keep a look out for Borck Crags , rocky outcrops you can see to your left . The route then heads south west to Force Mills . At Force Mills , follow the road leading up to Satterthwaite , keep on it as it crosses over Grizedale Beck . Turn left off the road just before it reaches the next beck .
Idiom: give head (used idiomatically: no)
Looking after the status quo is rather more their tendency , so we can perhaps expect a greater emphasis on defence with rather less activity from the operatives up front— the strikers . On second thoughts , perhaps that was loosely phrased . In fact it is the hard men up front who are likely to be given their head , and any idea of a no - strike deal will be ruthlessly opposed . Of course play may well be slowed down if the new rules are imposed and there has to be a ballot before every strike , but while that is being negotiated Mr Christie may well resort to the block vote at the back to defend his resolutions . So long as he remembers that , when mounting a picket in his opponents ' penalty area , he is only allowed a maximum of six operatives on the line , he should be able to enjoy free and frank access to the other side 's position .
Idiom: out of the woods (used idiomatically: yes)
Brian Mulligan , the managing director of Toplog Ltd in the UK , said the reason for the parting was that Toplog wanted to capitalise on its Unix software while Metrologie wanted to concentrate on hardware . He denied that the decision was a result of Metrologie 's lingering debts . ‘ Metrologie is very much out of the woods now’ , he claimed . TopLog says there will be no changes to how its subsidiaries operate in France , Benelux , Germany , UK ( TopLog Ltd ) and Spain ( DSD ) . Terry Donovan , managing director of Metrologie UK , said there would be further divestments — to be announced in the next few months — of operations which did not fit the company 's corporate focus on hardware solutions .
Idiom: pass muster (used idiomatically: yes)
I determined that the best way to find out would be to take part in a National Trust Acorn Project , week - long holidays between March and October which are open to anyone over the age of sixteen . Special skills are not required , though it is necessary to be ‘ reasonably fit’ . I thought I would just about pass muster . I was not an easy customer right from the start . I wanted to go to the Yorkshire Moors or the Lake District : I had romantic visions of myself as a drystone waller , indomitable against the elements .
Idiom: smell of the lamp (used idiomatically: yes)
A dense darkness you could touch , the whirring din of the coal - cutting machine , throwing into the air black dust so thick that the light beams from the miners ' lamps could only shine into it a few inches — the impression of numberless , short pit props placed only a foot or two apart , to support above them a mile 's weight of rock and earth ceiling — all this in the stifling heat . I have never had a tougher day in my life , of physical effort and exertion . ' THE MINES ' HUMIDITY , THE SMELL AND LIGHT OF THE ACETYLENE LAMPS … ARE ALL SUGGESTED IN HEIGHTENED AREAS OF PASTEL COLOUR WITHIN THE INKY BLACKNESS . GRITTY , GRUBBY SMEARS
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
This now contributes more than a third of Zurich 's total premium income , and well over 40 % of its non - life business . Now the European market is getting the same treatment . The move is Zurich 's response to structural changes in the insurance market which threaten a ruinous price war in the familiar ' off - the - shelf ' products that are now widely sold to households and companies . Deregulation in Europe — for instance , of motor insurance throughout the European Community and Switzerland — has already stiffened competition in previously cartelised markets . Banks too are muscling in on insurance , mainly on the life side , to keep customers ' savings ' in the family ' .
Idiom: close call (used idiomatically: yes)
The yachts later picked up a freshening breeze which reached Force 5 approaching the island . The Sigma 38 Panda Nova sailed by Derek Matthews from the Royal Dee Yacht Club completed the trip in just over 11 hours and was declared the winner of Class A on corrected times by an eight minutes margin ahead of Alec Rawlinson 's Pellegrina . Class B was won by Tranmere contestant Jim Gavin aboard Salamandra but it was a close call with Catch 32 owned by Jim Myerscough from Blundellsands . The margin on corrected times was just 39 seconds . A total of 28 yachts completed the course .
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
He predicts that bidders , including insurance companies and investment management groups , will form strategic alliances with societies , initially using the branch networks to sell their own financial services , and later agreeing full mergers . ‘ Building societies are being approached almost daily with offers of this kind,’ he claims . John Franklin , director of corporate finance at the merchant bank Morgan Grenfell , whose clients include both societies and prospective bidders , is convinced a bid for a society is on the way : ‘ The first merger will see the light of day early next year.’ Any bid would probably be with the blessing of the society 's management . But some societies fear hostile bids — a subject on the agenda at the Building Societies Association council meeting tomorrow .
Idiom: take root (used idiomatically: yes)
By Peter Jones , Scottish Political Editor THE Scottish economy is moving out of the shadow of public sector clouds into a brighter private sector - led future , the Scottish Secretary , Ian Lang , claimed yesterday . He asserted that the spread of home and shares ownership was causing an enterprise culture to take root in which more indigenous companies will spring up , creating the opportunity for Scotland to become a headquarters rather than a branch economy . It was a remarkably optimistic speech to Edinburgh University politics society , in a week when the Government 's economic policies will come under severe criticism if , as expected , the number of unemployed rises above 3 million . But Mr Lang said that such a level was not an admission of government failure , but an admission that the recession had not ended , pointing out that Scottish unemployment rates were lower than the UK average .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Of course I can be wrong,’ said Penry , a pulse throbbing at the corner of his mouth . ‘ And the moment I feel you need proper psychiatric help I shall enlist it for you , believe me . But for the time being I happen to think it best to wait a little , in the hope that something triggers your memory into returning of its own accord.’ He looked at his watch . ‘ It 's time you went to bed.’
Idiom: hold court (used idiomatically: no)
Admissible evidence Transactions in shares , not necessarily at arm 's length or for cash , and previous agreements with the Inland Revenue with regard to their valuation , were held to be admissible evidence in relation to the valuation of the shares . So held the Court of Session in IRC v Stenhouse 's Trustees [ 1992]STI 120 , quashing a ruling by the Special Commissioners . The trustees of the late H C Stenhouse 's inter vivos trust appealed against an assessment to capital transfer tax in respect of a capital distribution , on 17 March 1978 , of shares in H and SW ( unquoted investment companies ) , and SH . H principally held shares in SW , which in turn held shares in Stenhouse Holdings Ltd , a quoted company .
Idiom: spot on (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Have we nothing stronger than this?’ ‘ Naturally.’ Talbot went to the Admiral 's wine cupboard and prepared a drink while Hawkins gazed at a spot on the deck which was about a thousand miles away . ‘ A large scotch and water . No ice.’
Idiom: rise through the ranks (used idiomatically: yes)
Thankfully she made a quick and full recovery , and was outstanding for the Irish Under-21s at last month 's Home Countries Championships . Now comes selection for the full Irish side . Her rise through the ranks has surprised her . She said : ‘ I still ca n't believe so much has happened . My hockey has improved since I joined Portadown from Ballymoney , they are a great club .
Idiom: pass the buck (used idiomatically: yes)
The Met Office , naturally , came in for its usual rounds of flak through the unpredictability of the English weather . We girls were only the workhorses really — we read the instruments , plotted the charts , made the tea and kept the office clean , and were not meant to be able to give a weather forecast . We were in the happy position of being able to pass the buck . When any aircrew came raging in to inform us that our optimistic prediction of clear , moonlit skies and baby cumulus had in fact turned out to be 10/10ths stratus on the deck , we were able to wave them airily in the direction of Messrs Coutts , Stark and Coleman and say , ‘ You 'll have to talk to them!’ The unfortunate Met Officers all over Bomber Command had plenty of explaining to do during that summer , as the weather was unusually bad .