Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
Here is a passage of Thoreau which both demonstrates the creative process and also shows that it led him to the peak experience which he termed being charmed . It also gives an initial view into the worlds of the mind and the wonderlands that are there waiting for all who aspire to them . ' When some rare Northern bird like the pine grosbeak is seen thus far south in the winter , he does not suggest poverty , but dazzles us with his beauty . There is in them a warmth that melts the icicle . Think of these brilliant , warm - coloured , richly warbling birds , birds of paradise , dainty - footed , downy - clad , in the midst of a New England , a Canadian winter .
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
Sometimes I used to see the funny side of these sessions , but he was not one to tolerate flippancy and more than once I received the rough side of his tongue . But you knew exactly where you were with him and I had the utmost respect for his judgement and management of the cutters . As I began to serve more regularly I became more accepted amongst the older stalwarts of the service , my naval experience and general seamanship picked up on fishing craft and yachts standing me in good stead . Surprisingly there was still no organised training for new entries to the cutters but at that time of course there were still plenty of ex - service personnel available . With the increasing number of cutters and the decision to operate them on an all year round basis the closed shop tendency for crewing of the earlier days could not continue .
Idiom: lose face (used idiomatically: yes)
In the state of affairs that still obtained when I entered the profession in 1959 the grammar school teacher and the university teacher of English were not radically different kinds of person ; indeed , contingent or accidental factors might have determined which career path was followed . Since then there has been a marked divergence between school and university ; students have become less well equipped , and academics , particularly young ones , have become more high - powered , ambitious , and professionalised . I am convinced that many students often do not understand what is being said in teaching situations , though they become adept at pretending to , as they do not wish to lose face . There is a further factor that feminists have drawn attention to , which is that the majority of students of English are women , whereas the majority of academics teaching it are male , and that the female students have a built - in deference to male teachers and to the minority of male students . This is broadly true , and has long distorted the group dynamics of seminars , though I have the sense that things are changing as women become more self - confident ( the arrival in increasing numbers of female mature students has been helpful ) .
Idiom: call it quits (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Of course , there is another way to solve the problem,’ he said tantalizingly . ‘ What is that?’ growled Fakrid . ‘ Well you could always just call it quits and head off somewhere else . The eight twelves do n't seem particularly bothered about any other area but their valley.’ ‘ That suggestion is truly worthy of a parasite,’ Jinkwa replied .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
It was not going to be safe out on the streets . She could find herself shot . A quick movement , a phrase uttered out of line . He should be with her . Kopyion looked at him .
Idiom: eat your heart out (used idiomatically: yes)
His guitar here may stray towards free - form psychedelic freak out , but the pain remains the same . Pierce finishes off with a ghostly version of the great Skip James ' ‘ Hardtime Killin ' Floor Blues’ , one last acoustic cry before the tape runs out and proof positive that the blues has never been in better hands . Eric Clapton eat your heart out . VARIOUS Gothic Rock
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: no)
Should I give up the unequal struggle and wait until I reached the age of 16 ? Then you strode in , as the new maths teacher , and you would set the problems on the board and stride around the class getting us all to co - operate in sharing the problems . Each of us was encouraged to try out solutions on the board and you would ask other class members what they thought and whether they had anything to contribute as an alternative . I learned so much and soon caught up with the fleet ' . As I warmed to my eulogy of his skills , .
Idiom: cop a plea (used idiomatically: yes)
Never eat at a place called Mom 's . Never sleep with a woman whose troubles jolt . And never you cop another man 's plea . I 've tried 'em all and I know . They do n't work . '
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
From Asmar 's reports , I knew that some of them were into arms trafficking as well as dope and that meant they had to have close ties with Syrian - supported terrorist groups like the PFLP — GC . It was crazy . With El - Jorr coming off the wall from working both sides of the street , it was only a matter of time before the whole operation came unglued . And I did n't want to be around when that happened . In the Middle East , you can get yourself killed that way .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
You can worship there and the nation will understand that you are a Muslim . We will get a loan from King Khalid ( Of Saudi Arabia ) and then we will go to Britain and settle affairs with the British government , We can apologize for insulting British workers and then , with British support , we can go back to Teheran . " " Behbehanian sincerely and deeply believed this would do the trick . Six years later , when he talked about it in his house in Basel , he still believed it , and with absolute conviction . Everyone knew how influential the British had always been in Iran .
Idiom: cut a rug (used idiomatically: yes)
From herein it gets weirder . Late gonzoid Detroit / NYC journo Lester Bangs has his memory enshrined with ‘ One Horse Down’ and its dub partner — 3D colour tracks , crisp production . Still criminally ignored here in the Blighty , The Mekons prove that early 30s with a penchant for late nights and beer can still cut a rug with contemporary sounds . Still having fun in 1990 . TEENY CROPPERS
Idiom: chapter and verse (used idiomatically: yes)
and focus on aspects of style as well as giving an opportunity for vocabulary work , language development and discussion . There is , in addition , a cassette which contains many of the extracts and teacher 's notes are provided at the back of the book . Chapter and Verse is probably most effective with smaller classes — where there is a chance for open discussion — but many of the activities , and of course the texts themselves will be relevant to students in larger classes or those working on their own . ECONOMICS INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED
Idiom: cost the earth (used idiomatically: yes)
I has taken me a while to to figure out that ‘ we ai n't got Windows , we got DOS’ so I would appreciate any advice in your columns on the basics — what sorts of programs are suitable for a simple soul like me who needs to knock out the odd poster , magazine or newsletter and something that will look more professional , from time to time . We have an Amstrad DMP 3160 printer , which seems fine to me , but occasionally I could do with some fancy fonts and am I really looking for DTP ? As a journalist having a career break I do get itchy fingers and long to turn out something that will look good but not cost the earth . Keep up the good work . I am finding your mag interesting and am not having to dive for the dictionary too often .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yes.’ ‘ It has to stop . You 've had ample time to get your feet under the table by now and one or two things have come up which I 'd like you to pursue . Urgent stuff.’ He pushed two thick buff folders across his desk .
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: no)
‘ N … n … n … ’ The man was obviously petrified . ‘ Er , he pleads not guilty m'lud,’ interjected the defence lawyer , throwing an anxious glance at the man in the dock as he resumed his seat . The other lawyer stood up , slightly flushed from the effort of raising his bulk from the cushioned bench . The judge knew this man of old : he was the pit - bull of the legal profession , attacking any weak spots with devastating precision , and seeing him ended the Judge 's faint glimmer of hope that he might just get home in time for the football .
Idiom: make heavy weather of (used idiomatically: yes)
It may have been at this time that the name Saladin began to mean something to him . After the sealing of the Treaty of Nonancourt it was time for Henry II to carry out the promise made at Winchester last September and deal with William and Vulgrin of Angoulême , Aimar of Limoges and the other defeated rebels . He sent Richard on ahead while he travelled south through Berry , where once again his eldest son was making heavy weather of the task assigned to him . The Old King was soon in possession of the heiress of Deols , and sent her to Chinon for safe - keeping ; then he took his army to the Limousin . Richard and he spent about a month here " punishing the rebels as each deserved " .
Idiom: catch someone's eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Reni folded his hands . ‘ They are women.’ Then he caught Taheb ' s eye and lowered his own with a slight cough . He was saved further embarrassment by the rustling approach through the fecundity of his garden of his wife , accompanied by two of the children . They came towards the seated group cautiously but without hesitation — almost as if their entrance had been prearranged .
Idiom: in the long term (used idiomatically: yes)
They represent a very real challenge to the pub traditional client base . As it becomes increasingly unacceptable for the man to remove himself to the predominantly adult male preserve of the pub , leaving wife and children at home , it becomes imperative for outlets to be found which can cater to the demands of the whole family . This is the challenge for the brewers and their designers — to survive in the long term they must , in certain instances , address this radically broadened target market . This need not necessarily be antipathetic to ‘ pub values’ as we recognise them . Indeed , Langford and Williams are currently developing family pub concepts for a major brewer which take as their starting point perceived elements of the vernacular pub : highly detailed joinery , ‘ honest’ and tactile finishes , and the bar counter as a focus .
Idiom: have a ball (used idiomatically: no)
‘ Afterwards , he talked about the new position I gave him . He thinks he played in midfield ! ’ Wednesday must have wished he had , the way Atkinson chested down and volleyed home a 20th-minute clearance , then spun brilliantly on a Neal Cox through ball to score a second after 67 . Behind Wednesday 's John Sheridan sees Atkinson as the future England partner to Blackburn 's Alan Shearer .
Idiom: on the cuff (used idiomatically: yes)
The priest was dying with a last Gloria on his lips , and Harry , carried away upon a tide of hatred for all things Spanish and all things Catholic , had already sunk the blade into the back of the young hidalgo . A froth of blood and sputum bubbled round the nobleman 's mouth ; his body gave one last life - jerk , and lay still . Harry dipped the blade into the sea to wash it , and dried it on the cuff of his shirt before replacing it in its sheath . Sam felt sick . " Give me the Madonna , " he said hoarsely .
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: no)
Opposition to expenditure , on the other hand , was assumed to be diffused and less well - organized and so of less concern to elected representatives . This has important consequences for a key factor in the model — the bureaucrat 's monopoly of information . The bureaucrat is assumed as a general rule to know more than the sponsor about factor costs and production processes involved in the bureau 's services . The election process generates very little information about the population 's demands for specific public services . Elected representatives have poor information on the minimum costs needed to supply a public service .
Idiom: make a move (used idiomatically: yes)
Where 's that ? In the north of the county . erm and we 've taken we 've made moves to try and improve that , improving staffing , improving pay rates , blah blah blah . But there will always be pockets at any one time where we ca n't give as an equally good service as we would like . Similarly , the City area has far more family centres than the rural areas .
Idiom: all along (used idiomatically: no)
It was succeeded by a breathless pause , as Mrs Cratchit , looking slowly all along the carving - knife , prepared to plunge it in the breast ; but when she did , and when the long expected gush of stuffing issued forth , one murmur of delight arose all round the board , and even Tiny ~ Tim , excited by the two young Cratchits , beat on the table with the handle of his knife , and feebly cried Hurrah !
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: yes)
Afterwards , she visited the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and was told surgeons there will soon be able to practise their skills using virtual - reality equipment . Police warning on gun suspect A MAN on the run from the French Foreign Legion and branded ‘ Psycho’ by his former comrades is still being hunted by murder squad detectives . Justin Martin - Clarke is wanted in connection with the drugs - related shooting of a businessman in April . Last night a nationwide alert was issued for the former foreign embassy bodyguard , who has Merseyside connections , and the public was warned not to approach him under any circumstances .
Idiom: play ball (used idiomatically: yes)
Oh I enjoyed it , yeah . Just do n't enjoy Palace losing , but sheer football and it just shows you that ironically the two games can match each other and there were chances for Palace to wrap that game up . But er when they do play that ball to ball business erm Yeah . we look like we 've got huge spaces in our in our midfield .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
Similarly on deck and on the navigational side we had all that was necessary but everything was very basic down to the manual anchor winch . We even had a coal burning stove on board and very cosy it was on the cold evenings . The depth sounder and Decca Navigator in the wheelhouse were innovations and although Radar was out of the question at that time we managed very well with the Decca Navigator , often running up the Thames in quite dense fog buoy hopping through Sea Reach . Returning to my first meeting with Vincent , Arthur Cheyney naturally became my hero , especially when he took me on a trip from Ipswich to Parkeston Quay , which completely sold me on the job and made me resolve to move heaven and earth to get on a cutter crew as soon as possible . This was not so easy at that time as the crewing arrangements were very much of a closed shop .
Idiom: doom and gloom (used idiomatically: yes)
He said : ‘ I am a life - long Labour supporter . I was n't always a successful businessman and I remember where I come from.’ He was reacting to the Tory group 's comments that the ‘ prophets of doom and gloom’ were incapable of recognising how much the region has progressed in the last 13 years . And Sue Rorstad chairman and managing director of Darlington based Poppies hit out at the six industrialists who praised the Government 's message of self reliance . She said : ‘ It 's not self reliance the Government has promoted , it 's a feeling of alienation in Marxist terms.’
Idiom: back to square one (used idiomatically: yes)
He could insist the post was filled before he released her . She 'd placed herself at his mercy . She was back to square one . If it was n't to blow up into a first - class row , she 'd have to bargain . She lowered her voice , and changed her tune .
Idiom: come unstuck (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ They came very well prepared . But I was proud of the way our young players kept going . ‘ We are not going to stop our style of play , we are a free - running side who want to score tries and even if we come unstuck against good sides with well - organised defences we will still keep on with the kind of game which we know pleases the fans.’ Match Report — Page 4 Rough justice for Scots
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: no)
But in general it just means that we 've arrived , we 've discovered that nobody 's trapped , and we go away . But where , then can you explain what the difference is with people extricated in the R T A services only then . Well services only is walking down the road disconnecting the battery , or something similar . So we , we have three categories , we do n't do anything at all , we do something fairly menial like washing away petrol or disconnecting batteries , or we rescue people . Thank you .
Idiom: run amok (used idiomatically: yes)
All around were Arab women , heavily robed , sniffing their wrists . A bottle of perfume , Helen saw , could cost £ 110 . Edward now wore the manic look of some animal transferred into the wrong environment , as though he might run amok , or bite . Each counter had an assistant behind it , none of them doing anything . Helen headed for the nearest one and asked about photograph albums .
Idiom: lame duck (used idiomatically: yes)
The kidnap poses a severe test for the infant government of the Prime Minister , Mr Vishwanath Pratap Singh , which has been in power only nine days . The appointment of the mufti was applauded as a bold gesture of reconciliation to the Muslim community . Delhi 's response has been complicated by the existence of the lame - duck Kashmiri state government of Dr Farooq Abdullah , who fought last month 's general election in alliance with the then governing Congress party , and which is deeply unpopular in the valley . To augment the state machinery , the central government has rushed senior officials and team of troops from the Black Cat commando unit to Srinagar . Meanwhile , there has been a torrent of condemnation of the kidnapping , including several from Indian Muslim groups , who denounced it as grossly un - Islamic .
Idiom: mean business (used idiomatically: yes)
He says he would n't have liked to have been told an incinerator was being built at the bottom of his garden , but having seen this one , he 'd be reassured . In a few years the number of BSE infected cattle is expected to drastically fall . That 'll mean less business for the animal crematorium — but its owners say that 'll be more than made up for by the increasing number of people who are choosing to have their familly pets cremated . The RSPCA is to build a new animal shelter because so many people are dumping their pets . Over the past year , welfare workers have had to care for fourteen hundred abandoned dogs and seven hundred cats .
Idiom: pull out all the stops (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We got on the phone to the hospital straight away,’ said Paul , of Harlow , Essex . ‘ They were really apologetic but said she had to come in.’ Christmas Day in Bart 's Kenton ward was a children 's delight as staff pulled out all the stops to ensure patients had a magical day . The world - famous hospital is facing closure , but doctors and nurses are working very hard to make sure it stays open . The 800-year - old hospital cares for the ill from all over Britain .
Idiom: bring up the rear (used idiomatically: yes)
The trap worked like a charm . The uncles and my father , jolly and unsuspecting after an evening 's celebrations , blundered in with their sacks of bounty ; the tins and cutlery crashed round their ears as they pushed the door open . Propelled forward by the shrieking aunts , who were bringing up the rear , they stumbled in , falling over the pots and pans and bumping into the dangling kettles , dropping their sacks and shouting and generally making the most satisfactory uproar imaginable . The lights went on ; we leapt up and pounced on them , adding our howls of ingrate triumph to the general confusion — ending the happy myth not with a whimper but a bang , while Addy , the fellow - conspirator , leant against the wall and laughed herself to helplessness … I got out of bed suddenly and fumbled for some money .
Idiom: live a lie (used idiomatically: yes)
I love Gran , I always have.’ Kate sat opposite her and sighed . ‘ It 's not just what you wrote that hurts us , Lizzy , it 's the way you 've been living a lie all this time.’ ‘ I had to live a lie ! If you knew what I was doing you 'd have moved heaven and earth to stop me .
Idiom: at the end of the day (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Jean was beautiful . Whoever killed her will be sent to prison . But at the end of the day they have a life . ‘ My daughter 's has gone forever.’ From Page One .
Idiom: sit tight (used idiomatically: yes)
TAURUS ( Apr 21-May 21 ) In astrology , work and health are curiously linked are curiously linked — and for one reason or another , you are likely to feel under par , under pressure and totally misunderstood at the moment . In fact , you can argue and remonstrate until you are blue in the face but certain plans or arrangements can not be progressed just yet and you must simply sit tight and wait for the Full Moon in Aries on the 14th before making any drastic changes or decisions . Not a cheery little forecast you 'll agree — but remember you do n't have to stay in the jungle to be fair game . And another thing , you really ought to be venturing further afield ; travelling or doing something more challenging now and therefore perhaps you need a gentle prod to remind you that life is only , after all , what you make it .
Idiom: behind bars (used idiomatically: yes)
Moreover , none of the allegedly violent police interrogators named in both books have sued for libel . This is very unsatisfactory . Perhaps the Home Office is relying on apathy towards a lot of Irish people behind bars . Then there is the political aspect . Every minister now looks at his biggest decisions in the light of how they will affect the general election .
Idiom: watch this space (used idiomatically: yes)
Here to stay for at least for another year and to haunt me for the next fifteen . I 'd often thought of doing a TV commercial . It is no longer the kiss of death to an actor ( watch this space ) , and it 's one of the few ways we have of paying the school fees on a regular basis . There was an abortive attempt at a ‘ Maureen Lipman says write to me about your washing problems’ which made me squirm with embarrassment to the extent that I 've blocked out the name of the liquid detergent concerned . No wisk of wemembering it , either .
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: no)
TUPPERWARE : Earl Tupper of New Hampshire founded his plastics company in 1938 . Sales of his containers took off after some direct sellers had demonstrated them . Tupper immediately took all his products off the store shelves and created the direct selling system with parties , games and contests to promote sales . Worldwide , a Tupperware party starts every 2.7 seconds . WALL 'S : The company 's great breakthrough came when they decided to buy trikes to sell their ice - cream around the streets in the 1920s .
Idiom: get stuck in (used idiomatically: yes)
Twelve flood alerts have been issued along the River Severn . Voice over At Pershore in Worcestershire a JCB driver was stranded after his digger got stuck in deep water . He had to be rescued by firemen . Meanwhile residents of Ewyas Harold have been counting the cost of yesterdays flooding . The village brook overflowed with such force that cars were washed away , and homes were under feet of water .