Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: in the soup (used idiomatically: yes)
Last Monday , New Year 's Eve , they had a £ 22 a head banquet attended by that great Peking tradition , the karaoke machine . ( Second old English proverb ; if you ca n't beat 'em , join ' em . ) The restaurant specialises in fish , though not , hopefully , the ' shredded duck in oyster flavour ' soup . If that 's how oyster 's flavoured , it 's nearest equivalent is brine . King prawns cooked in chilli salt and pepper was very much better , a simple dish succulently executed .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
She was to have been among those entrusted with the secret of the girls ' switched identities . But before writing to her friend of the matter , the queen - dowager debated whether or not it was necessary to burden her with the knowledge . Nay , she thought , I shall say nothing — at least for the time being … Lady Alianor received her friend 's letter on the evening of Prince Richard 's departure . Fearing her correspondence would otherwise be intercepted , the queen - dowager had entrusted it to the care of Cardinal Bourchier — sending it by a trusted servant to the cardinal 's residence , requesting that it be forwarded to her cousin forthwith .
Idiom: famous last words (used idiomatically: yes)
I hit the ground with a terrific thud , rolled over once or twice , and then lay back intending to die quietly . This , however , was not to be . Scarcely had I got myself fairly comfortable and closed my eyes when I heard the sound of people running I hurriedly tried to think up some famous last words to give my public , but never had a chance to utter them . I was surrounded by a crowd of shouting , gesticulating Malts , who pulled at my parachute , lifted my head and drove me so furious that I had to give up the dying idea in order to concentrate completely on kicking every Malt who came within range . ( From what the soldiers told me after , I believe I registered some rather effective shots . )
Idiom: upset the apple cart (used idiomatically: yes)
I set up the and I like how its done no you do n't until you come along and upset the apple cart you just dream a lot you get some weird ideas about
Idiom: in living memory (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Does it always rain on Møn in August?’ Fru Hulsby tentatively enquired . Fru Møller , loyal to her country in general and her corner of it particularly , assured the newcomer that in living memory it had hardly ever done so . ‘ This is most unusual!’ ‘ Boo - Boo !
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: yes)
You can have the last word with a woman , on the condition that it is yes .
Idiom: wear the trousers (used idiomatically: yes)
She dusted it off and then rather timidly mounted it . The fact that it was a man 's bike did n't trouble her too much . She was wearing trousers and as she kept her feet on the ground she felt reasonably secure , at least ; she kept her toes on the ground and spent a rather hilarious time trying to get control of it in the courtyard , her attempts bringing Marguerite out with words of advice and wide smiles . When Alain 's mother finally went inside with a few rueful shakes of her head and a pleased look on her face , Jenna decided to risk all . She set off boldly towards the fence and only had to put her feet down speedily once .
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
The area to the south of Saville Street which had been the commercial centre for the port was already in a state of decay with banks , etc . moving north towards residential areas . There had been some war damage but this was not on a scale which lent itself to large - scale redevelopment . In April 1961 , Tyne mouth CBC 's Town Improvement Committee authorized a survey with a view to the declaration of a Comprehensive Development Area . The report was presented in June 1962 by the Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor and indicated the desirability of seeking a partnership between the Corporation and a development company which would regard development as a long - term investment and be interested in the equity . By July 1964 , J.G.L. Poulson and Associates had been engaged .
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: yes)
Will ye come in ? ' Sitting in his kitchen , with a cup of tea ant a begged cigarette , she did n't try to pretend when he said , ' What 's wrong wit ' ye , Claire ? ' He 'd been there to pick her up when she fell off her first pony ; he 'd taught her to fish and to know about dogs , and whatever mischief she and Francis got up to , he never told a tale . He was , as her mother had said for twenty years , the laziest codder God ever put breath into , but Claire loved him , and he loved her as if she were his own . She looked him in the eye , and saw him turn and blink .
Idiom: larger than life (used idiomatically: yes)
I suppose if I lived in Middlesbrough I might vote for Stuart Bell , the Labour barrister who fought such a courageous battle on behalf of the families in the awful Cleveland affair . As for the Liberal Democrats , one recalls how not so long ago the Alliance included such instantly recognisable figures as David Owen , David Penhaligon , Cyril Smith and Clement Freud . In larger - than - life personality terms , I 'm afraid young Matthew Taylor or Jo Grimond 's successor up in Shetlands , the dour Mr Jim Wallace , are scarcely worthy replacements . On the other hand , there are certainly some Conservatives I could not bring myself to vote for — such as Mr Jack Aspinwall in my neighbouring seat of Wansdyke , who a few years ago was one of an all - party group of MPs who spoke far too warmly about the Ceausescu regime on a visit to Romania , and who lists as his only publication Kindly Sit Down ! , a collection of ' after - dinner stories from both Houses of Parliament ' . Election Comment : Not the right man for the job
Idiom: fight tooth and nail (used idiomatically: yes)
The siblings are fighting tooth and nail over the estate their father left them in his will .
Idiom: smell a rat (used idiomatically: yes)
They made love on the cool marble floor of the terrace , and much later went to bed and slept in each other 's arms for the first time in months . ‘ There 's definitely something wrong . I can smell a rat.’ Christina looked over Stephen 's shoulder at the accounts , spread across his desk . ‘ I do n't understand .
Idiom: look on the bright side (used idiomatically: yes)
An inspiring achievement , Yes , we all will go together when we go . ‘ There ; ll be nobody left behind to grieve,’ carolled Lehrer , looking on the bright side , Kahn , on the other hand , advocated massive investment in deep shelters so that at least the lucky half — or should it be the unlucky half?— would be left behind to grieve , and to prove that war need not yet be quite abandoned as mankind 's most addictive sport . On Thermonuclear War , as Kahn 's lectures were called , was to be published the following year with much effect on military - political thinking . The optimism of 1959 which runs through them is quite breathtaking at this distance in time : ‘ Some experts insist on talking as if the only choices were immediate surrender , immediate preventive war or eventual world annihilation,’ Kahn declared .
Idiom: in my book (used idiomatically: yes)
Analyse your successes ( as well as failures ) : Sir John Harvey - Jones , trouble - shooter and company doctor , draws on his Managing to Survive to offer advice to take publishers successfully through the decade Managing for the ' 90s IN THE ' 90s a great many of the factors which affect us all in business will be so different that new management responses will be required , and I have sought to outline some of these elements in my latest book . I have been asked to comment particularly on the applicability of some of these to the publishing trade . I do so with considerable trepidation since , as an author , I am a beneficiary of the book trade 's success and , moreover , despite my happy experiences of the trade and publishing in general , I do not have in - depth knowledge of the publishing business .
Idiom: make a move (used idiomatically: yes)
The aim of successive American administrations had been to build up the strength of the most vulnerable states in the area — those known until the Second World War as French Indo - China and later divided into the separate states of Vietnam , Laos and Cambodia . All those administrations had subscribed to the " domino theory " : the non - Communist countries were seen as a set of dominoes , and if one was knocked over ( i.e. went Communist ) then the others would also tumble . Truman had made the first move in South - East Asia at the time of the Korean War , sending financial and other aid to the French government , by then engaged in a desperate attempt to maintain their control of Indo - China . The heart of the struggle was in Vietnam where nationalist forces , known as the Vietminh , were attempting to gain independence . Their leader , Ho Chi Minh , as the Americans noted , had been politically trained in Moscow , and his armies were supplied with weapons provided by the Communists .
Idiom: in bed with (used idiomatically: yes)
I suppose cos he 's done that at school Yeah , that 's right ! they come home they 've got ta snuggle up in bed with a book Yeah . you know , or Patrick 's into psalms , she loves poetry
Idiom: gather dust (used idiomatically: no)
Was that my husband I caught a glimpse of through the open casement taking his ease on a sun lounger with a little pile of twigs by his side ? That will keep the wood - burning stove going for ten seconds at least . By the time we had cossetted one floor Mrs Grindlewood - Gryke 's legs were criss - crossed by lines resembling a noughts and crosses grid , and my jeans , saturated with a witch 's brew of chemicals , were gathering dust and fluff like a thieving magpie . ‘ Of course , we have n't time to give it more than a catlick,’ she came to realize as we staggered up the grand flight of stairs to the first floor . I gave the pompous statuary a flick of the pink feathers as I went past .
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: yes)
Rose , watching him across the shining mahogany table , guessed what he was wondering . That first evening they went walking up the hill away from Marshall 's cottage , to a small plantation of aspen trees . There was a grassy hollow nearby , not a totally private place but well out of sight of the farm . Here the chuntering sound of a tractor could be heard in the distance , and the gentle lowing of beasts . Close at hand was the skittering of a small animal through the grass and the dry fragile sound of leaves turning .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: yes)
meaningful pay - off Andrew hagans was staying at this bail hostel when he murdered Anna McGurk . John Butcher says at this moment a man on bail for rape is on the run ine the Midlands . He says changes are needed now . New evidence has been revealed about the murder of the pregnant mother Marie Wilkes which may cast doubt on the guilt of the man jailed for her killing .
Idiom: above par (used idiomatically: yes)
For example , Treasury 9¾ per cent stock 2002 , issued in January 1992 , pays annual interest at the rate of £ 9.75 per £ 100 nominal value of stock in equal instalments on 27 February and 27 August each year until the redemption date of 27 August 2002 . Government bonds will not usually be issued at par ; each £ 100 nominal value of stock will usually be sold for less than £ 100 . Table 3.4 gives details of government bond issues during the last three months of 1991 and shows that , of the five issues , three were made at prices below par and two at prices above par . Once issued , bonds will , of course , be subject to continual price fluctuations as a result of changing market demand and only by chance will market price be equal to par value . This means that the effective return or yield will differ from the coupon .
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: no)
The porpoises delight in riding on the bow waves of motor boats , which has frequently proved to be a fatal mistake . By even a conservative estimate , about 10,000 Dall 's porpoise were harpooned each year from 1976 to 1987 . However , the director of research on small cetaceans at the National Far Seas Fisheries Research Institute , Dr Toshio Kasuya , believes that the number of dolphins caught , as reported through fishing unions , underestimated the catch by at least 40,000 . Between 1977 and 1981 , the season For hunting Dall 's porpoise Increased from 4 months to 10 months , and in 1987 the number of boats hunting the dolphins and porpoises in the area increased from 200 to 350 . By 1988 , it had almost doubled again to 600 , and boats based on Iwate took over 90 per cent of the total reported Japanese dolphin and porpoise catch .
Idiom: play to the gallery (used idiomatically: yes)
The MPs are here to scrape the rust off the derelict machinery of government , to recreate the corroded institution that will have to elect a president and produce a government which can impose its rule on Lebanon — and on the militia leaders . Hence the isolation . Closeted in the conference palace at Taif — itself built by a Lebanese - born millionaire — the MPs found themselves unable to exercise their normal function of playing to the gallery . Lebanese parliamentary sessions have to be open to the public . They also , by law , have to be held in Beirut .
Idiom: catch someone's eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Yet , like so many other Raj survivals , the marriage adverts have been mutated out of all recognition from their understated British originals . Today the tone of so many of these adverts is so unashamedly boastful — full of triumphs in beauty competitions , prizes won and degrees achieved — that I often wondered whether these perfect matches are all they claim to be . For this reason my eye was caught one day by a small box - ad at the bottom of the column : BHARAT DETECTIVE AGENCY MARRIAGE FRAUD A SPECIALITY .
Idiom: high and dry (used idiomatically: yes)
We did find time for some work at Orkney which even produced a few seizures , but we were a little early for the oil traffic which was only just beginning to affect the island . We left these friendly isles on a fine May morning , weaving our way northward through a string of green islands with magical names , Eday , North Ronaldsay , Sanday and a host of other outlying skerries which formed a fascinating pattern and exercised our navigator 's skill . The blue sea and bright sun belied the occasional grim reminder of the other side of the picture ; the broken , rusting hull of a merchantman or trawler , perched high and dry in a rocky grave . Lunch , as we cleared Orkney , consisted of whale steaks and salad , the former by courtesy of a Norwegian whaler which called at Stromness . Our menus in Scotland included smoked salmon , smoked sea trout , crab and scampi , to say nothing of most varieties of fresh fish in copious quantities , some caught by ourselves .
Idiom: break the bank (used idiomatically: yes)
The essential power shower must also be rigorously cleaned to avoid hygiene problems . Walk - in shower cabinets are popular where space and budget permit , but ventilation must be adequate to avoid suffocation in the steam , and shower pressure should be tested to avoid a needle sharp spray . Attractive bathrooms need not break the bank . At least one Forte Travelodge has very acceptable blue and white tiles with matching striped shower curtains , big basins with lots of storage space , and heated towel rails . Fog - free mirrors ( a boon to women in a hurry to apply make - up after a shower ) can be found in many mid - range Hiltons , Holiday Inns and De Vere hotels .
Idiom: pecking order (used idiomatically: yes)
The windows range from minimalist efforts — a hand - written ‘ Bognor welcomes the clowns’ poster — to life - size mannequins in full motley surrounded by all the paraphernalia of clowning . The clowns ' convention is now such an accepted feature of Bognor life that you can even buy ‘ clown town’ postcards of the event . The clown convention is to Bognor what the party conferences are to Blackpool and Bournemouth ( which tells you a lot about Bognor 's position in the seaside resort pecking order ) . If Bognor gets publicity and identity — and a lot of fun — from hosting the convention , what do the clowns get from Bognor ? ‘ I do n't know why we keep coming here,’ says an older clown on the bus shuttling us to the big top , ‘ all it does is rain on us and blow us about.’
Idiom: cut the Gordian knot (used idiomatically: yes)
It blurs the lines of accountability and draws the Department deep into matters with which the industry should be competent to deal ( Serpell 1983 : 52 ) . Thus both the setting and the monitoring of performance of the railways in relation to the PSO grant , to investment programmes and to planning , are beset with problems of information . In recent years governments , particularly the Conservatives in Britain , have tried to cut the Gordian knot by imposing cuts in state support and forcing the railways to adapt . But unrealistic targets may be met by ‘ creative accounting’ : some railway managers have reported desperate attempts to stay within annual targets by , for example , cancelling trains to save overtime costs . Moreover , efforts by the railways to make their internal planning more realistic may be thwarted , since plans are liable to arbitrary ministerial reduction .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
We 've nowhere to run to . We do n't know the country and we ca n't get underground . But it seems out of the question for everybody to climb up there tonight . We should be even less safe . " " We shall be forced to dig , sha n't we ? " said Acorn .
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
WITH THE SUDDEN ENDING of the War the aircraft industry was thrown into chaos , but there was a renewed interest in a £ 10,000 prize offered by the Daily Mail in 1913 to the first pilot to fly across the Atlantic . There was much activity at Brooklands as people strove to get ready for their attempts . Jack too , was interested in attempting the flight , perhaps he was more confident than anyone else , his long distance flying experience would certainly stand him in good stead . A condition of the Daily Mail prize was that no serving pilot could win it , and so on March 10 , 1919 Jack was demobbed , ending his service career with the rank of Captain , he was now free to pursue this latest flying challenge . He approached Vickers and convinced them of his worth as pilot for their Atlantic crossing attempt .
Idiom: go public (used idiomatically: yes)
Half of these allotments in the East of Oxford are organically grown . Chemical 's a dirty word in a ward which boasts the region 's only green county councillor . The allotment holders have gone public inviting visitors to see how to use greener gardening techniques . Whop those weeds with a piece of old carpet and plant bedfellows that get on . Interview with gardener . He sez that companion planting works for tomatoes and basil .
Idiom: way to go (used idiomatically: yes)
Honestly , people talked about the kids today as though they were all Dior models , but they still had spots and puppy - fat just like kids always had , and always would have . Poor kid , she looked so pathetic sitting there on the edge of the chair , all stiff and upright like some tragedy queen , thinking Woe is me , my precious Bob has fallen into the hands of this designing woman . Well , making his room fit to live in was just possibly a better way to go about it than writing him twelve - page letters , as dearest Tessa might in time come to realize . ‘ The water 's almost boiling,’ she said . ‘ Incidentally , I know what you 're thinking , and I 'm not.’
Idiom: blood is thicker than water (used idiomatically: yes)
The Taiwanese team was headed by Koo Chen - Foo , a multi - millionaire businessman who is a personal friend of the president , Lee Teng - Hui , and a member of the central committee of the ruling Kuomintang ( KMT ) . His Chinese counterpart was Wang Daohan , a close associate of the Chinese president and party leader , Jiang Zemin . Mr Koo claimed that the people of China and Taiwan have a ‘ blood - is - thicker - than - water kind of sentiment’ . But even as he stepped off the plane from Taipei , a slip of the tongue showed how far the two sides have drifted apart , and how unreal to Taiwanese is the official vision of reunification . He referred to Taiwan and China as ‘ two countries’ , before quickly reverting to the politically correct phrase ‘ both sides of the Taiwan Strait’ .
Idiom: in the bag (used idiomatically: no)
Blanche did not want to mention that it was Capron who had forbidden Urquhart to meet her again . She wanted to forget that night as soon as possible . She scrutinised a dilapidated man on the pavement outside who was passing from rubbish bin to rubbish bin , rustling around inside and placing everything of interest in a plastic bag . ' Nothing else ? ' ' No . '
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
It is always safer to transfer the person on the tail to the nose , where his extra weight can be more effective . Many modern machines do not have hand holds at the tail and are very tail - heavy on the ground . Weight on the nose or in the cockpit will be sufficient to prevent the glider lifting . There is always a tendency for pilots to relax as the launch point is reached . Unless the glider is going to be launched without delay , it should be turned out of wind and held with the into - wind wing down until it is needed .
Idiom: on the face of it (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ There has been much grievous suffering for everyone involved in this case . It is not for us to judge the personal morality of the decisions individuals have taken . ‘ While on the face of it seems a very simple matter to decide on , I am reminded of the complexities not so very long ago surrounding the understanding of so - called ‘ brain - death’ . As you may know the Cardinal has already taken steps to set in train a thorough investigation into the moral implications of the Law Lords ' decision . ‘ Some argue that what is happening is a form of direct killing .
Idiom: on the carpet (used idiomatically: yes)
You 're for the high jump.’ The young agent decided there was no further point in trying to bluff . ‘ You gon na put me on the carpet?’ Manville nodded . ‘ Yep .
Idiom: split the difference (used idiomatically: yes)
WRN produces a directory , Returning to work , which contains details of courses around the country specifically aimed at women returners . It also runs workshops and conferences for groups , employers and Training and Enterprise Councils etc . A recent WRN conference , Share the care and split the difference , was ‘ based on the social charter which the EC is trying to bring in and the UK has n't agreed to yet’ , says Michaels . She insists that even with the provisions of such a charter the idea ‘ can only work out in reality if both partners , in fact , share [ the childcare ] , because there is not much point in allowing women the opportunity of going further up the ladder if they continue to have almost sole responsibility for childcare.’ The range of women returning to work ‘ is as wide as the range of occupations women work in , although that in itself is restrictive’ .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Inflation is the most straightforward to explain : the government prints up lots of banknotes , and spends them . The extra cash in the economy raises prices . As prices rise , people do n’t want to hold cash in their pockets or their bank ~ accounts – its value is melting away every day – so they step up the pace at which they spend , trying to get their wealth out of depreciating cash and into real assets that are worth something . This spending pulls people out of unemployment and into jobs , and pushes capacity utilization up to normal and production up to “ potential ” levels . But sane people would rather avoid inflation .