Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: pass the buck (used idiomatically: yes)
Political and business interests in Alabama have flocked to public hearings by the bus - load , angrily saying that the reservoir system will diminish the quality and quantity of water flowing into their state . They vow to fight the system in court , if necessary . If in doubt , pass the buck . Georgia , Alabama and Florida agree on one point . The Army Corps of Engineers , which manages the Chattahoochee river system , should conduct a $ 1 m , five - year study of the region 's long - term water needs .
Idiom: go from strength to strength (used idiomatically: yes)
Henry Robb had arrived in Leith in 1913 as yard manager for Ramage & Ferguson but in 1918 decided to branch out on his own as a ship repairer . When Hawthorn 's yard became available in 1924 , he decided to enter shipbuilding in his own right and soon expanded his operations by purchasing the business of Cran & Somerville in 1927 . Robb 's went from strength to strength and in 1933 when Ramage & Ferguson went out of business his takeover of the Victoria Shipyards was complete . 1934 The Imperial Grain Warehouse was opened on 28th May by Sir Frederic C. Thomson providing modern concrete silos with a total capacity of 20,000 tons .
Idiom: all hell broke loose (used idiomatically: yes)
WE closed the book on our share tips last night and are pleased to report another year of success . We have not won any Oscars , but the majority of our recommendations notched up gains of between 20% and 60% . Not at all bad considering that all hell broke loose in September and the City was rocked by events outside its control . Britain 's shock exit from the ERM and the pound 's devaluation sent shudders through the market , but it recovered . Although interest rates and inflation were both falling , Britain had to struggle through one of the worst recessions since the war .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: yes)
In effect , the security and strength of major professions were undermined for ever . This meant in particular a direct attack on public - sector institutions and their custodians . The enclosed world of the ‘ quango’ , the public board , and the corporation came under fire in various guises . Thus , in the Bank of England a series of clashes between the premier and the governor , Gordon Richardson , resulted in his replacement in 1983 by Robin Leigh - Pemberton , a banker of enterprise outlook and , politically , a known Conservative . The stock market was fundamentally reformed by the ‘ big bang’(27 October 1986 ) which ended old restrictive practices .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: no)
The Señora Richards looks fine — so peaceful.’ Shelley was slightly exasperated . ‘ It 's one thing being peaceful — it 's another thing altogether not knowing if I 've done the right thing . Suppose something happens?’ Victoria said softly , ‘ She is very old , Shelley .
Idiom: time will tell (used idiomatically: yes)
It gave us a lift at just the right time . ‘ He scored a few goals which were very important in our title push and it was a gamble that paid off . ‘ We thought Eric would be here for years , but time will tell if we 'll miss him . The players we have are good enough to do well without people like him . We are flexible .
Idiom: go without saying (used idiomatically: yes)
This follows by necessary implication from the plain words of section 2 . The question remains whether the caution which was undoubtedly administered to him when he was charged can similarly be overridden by the subsequent section 2(2 ) notice . It goes without saying that once a person is charged his status is changed . He becomes the subject of criminal proceedings . Subject to his prima facie entitlement to bail , and to the safeguards contained in sections 38 and 46 of the Act of 1984 , he is liable to be detained until trial .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
When Ernest came home , he could not believe his eyes . There was damp everywhere . The paper was peeling off the walls , ceilings coming down … .’ She tried to smile . ‘ We 've done the best we can to put things right .
Idiom: bear fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
In Berlin , Mario Vargas Llosa , the novelist defeated at the polls by Fujimori nearly two years ago , said he would ‘ knock on every door to muster international support and … force the coup - mongers to turn back’ . International anger and domestic turmoil threaten to reverse fragile gains made during Fujimori 's 20 months in government . His government 's free - the - market monetarism was beginning to bear fruit . Monthly inflation had been cut from more than 300 per cent to about five per cent since he took office . Peru was beginning to share in an increased flow of foreign investment that has benefited the whole continent .
Idiom: to the tune of (used idiomatically: yes)
First he flew on a full radius but with the lines passing through a ground hook . As the flight progressed he walked towards the kite so that he was underneath it . then flew to the tune of Lady in Red stroking the kite in the sand and with his hand as the song reached the ‘ cheek to cheek’ section . Changing over handles is a solution to the reversal of control caused by the ground hook system . Like all other unusual accomplishments , it only nears perfection after hours of determined practice : but once the technique is acquired , the potential for a stunning showpiece is obvious .
Idiom: at a snail's pace (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 'll be gettin ' de rum punch.’ She left them , muttering under her breath about coming in here and expecting ice - cream when lunch was over . It was ten minutes before she returned at a snail 's pace with four rum punches . Stephen engaged James in construction talk while Christina and Elaine plotted a night out on Baxter 's Row , exploring the late - night bars and restaurants where all the best calypsos were sung . ‘ Perhaps we could invite your friend Martin?’
Idiom: on the carpet (used idiomatically: yes)
And there is one discernible smudge under Harry 's jacket and a trace of what looks like blood on the jacket lining immediately above it.’ He lifted the corner . Both of them looked at the stain on the carpet in silence . Dalgliesh said : ‘ It was under the jacket when we found it .
Idiom: watch this space (used idiomatically: yes)
So what can one say only it was another great night from Dublin Sports and Social Committee . The Cajun Kings were just the job , as was John . Thanks for comin ' everyone — and for the next big event watch this space!!. Enjoying the Dublin Barn Dance , Patricia O'Sullivan , Denise Cooke and Marie Nugent … Joan T. Craine , Niamh O'Donaghue , Toni Kelly and Anita Crombie
Idiom: on a roll (used idiomatically: yes)
Bunny and he were off to Midnight Mass. Stella hoped he might ask her to go with them but he did n't even say good - bye , not properly , let alone wish her a Merry Christmas . One minute he was at the table and the next he was threading his way between the dancers , leaving Geoffrey asleep with his cheek resting on a bread roll , bits of tinsel glittering in his hair . ' Shall I give you a lift home on my motorbike ? ' O'Hara asked , and Stella accepted at once , almost running out of the restaurant , scarcely bothering to wave a farewell to the others who were now giddily swaying across the dance floor .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: no)
The Chaplain chanted almost rapturously : ' The glove will cleave to your whole body , save for your head . Elastic fabric will cling to your legs , to your loins , your trunk , your arms . That mesh of electrofibres will stimulate excruciating pain signals in all the nerves in your flesh without any physical harm being caused to that flesh . Though you shall feel all the agony , and more , of being roasted and incinerated alive , no actual damage will result — thus those agonies may continue unabated . ' The amputee 's tongue flickered silently , stumpily , as though tasting the molecules of Lexandro 's sweat which escaped into the air , before he resumed his discourse : ' The longest that anyone has endured a nerveglove at level tertius until irreversible insanity , is fifty - two minutes — by which time the pain signals were so burned into the nerves that they could never cease thereafter . '
Idiom: behind bars (used idiomatically: no)
Prisoners are using computers to translate books into braille for the blind , as part of a jail 's rehabilitation programme . And the unique project has just been given the Royal seal of approval . Princess Anne has been to see the inmates at work … behind bars . TIM HURST / Worcester GLOUCESTER
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: no)
All the snow had gone from the tops and the sun was really warm . The parks and main avenue were awash with trees in full blossom , and when she looked back up towards the farm she could see patches of cloudy pink where the apple trees were in bloom . Usually in Maytime she liked to walk up into the high mountain meadows to see the wild flowers , but this year she had no heart . And anyway , the big meadow was the one on the ridge , the one that separated her farm from Georg 's . It would be awful if she met Georg up there .
Idiom: moment of truth (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's just a pile of sticks to the passer - by so it 's hidden from the world outside Voice over After a good sniff round , the moment of truth … and approval . The experts say a good manmade holt can be better appreciated than a natural one There 's only one problem with building a perfect home for an otter … getting her out again
Idiom: up in the air (used idiomatically: yes)
You know , we became friends in Los Angeles . Maybe we 'll work together in the future.’ ( Evita , in which he was to play Che Guevara , has bounced from studio to studio and remains up in the air because of casting and budget disagreements . ) Banderas plays the innocent , but he 's savvy enough to know there 's gold in them there coat - tails . ‘ In a way it was like taking out a full - page ad in the New York Times , ’ he grins .
Idiom: economical with the truth (used idiomatically: yes)
The Secretary of the Cabinet , Sir Robert Armstrong , who had stonewalled successfully on Mrs Thatcher 's behalf during the Westland inquiries , was sent to Australia in a vain attempt to stop the book being published there . Armstrong 's patrician Oxbridge performance was not very successful in the brash atmosphere of the Australian courts — significantly less so than his performances before House of Commons committees . In a near - fatal aperçu , Armstrong 's comment on the civil servant 's need to be ‘ economical with the truth’ seemed to set the seal on a growing process of encroachment on individual freedoms by a strong - minded , centralist government . Meanwhile , travellers abroad found no difficulty in buying Spycatcher in airport bookstalls . Whether civil liberties or freedom of expression really languished in this period is open to debate .
Idiom: lose face (used idiomatically: yes)
Because the taxi should not have been there , the car - driver expected it to move — even though it plainly could not . As Miss Martineau points out , ‘ expecting something to happen because it should’ is very Japanese , an automatic consequence of Japanese society 's rigid order . Best of all Miss Martineau writes with a wry humour — of the karaoke bar that bans her as a foreigner and then welcomes her lest her Japanese host lose face ; of the popularity of sado - masochistic pornography , but without pubic hair ; of the burglar who first took his shoes off . She is always a gaijin ( a foreigner ) in a world that jealously protects its insular identity , but she is a gaijin who has penetrated Japan more deeply than most . Other books talk of Japan 's ability to hide behind its face , of the gap between tatemae , the way things are said to be , and honne , the way they really are .
Idiom: out of the blue (used idiomatically: yes)
( d ) She had for the previous 24 hours been receiving narcotic drugs and antibiotics and was in a state in which it was necessary to give her oxygen . ( e ) She appeared to her father to be disorientated and , according to the original evidence of Dr. F. , to be ‘ drowsy , detached and not fully compos mentis.’(f ) The matrimonial history of father and mother suggests that Miss T. 's mother is a deeply committed Jehovah 's Witness , who would regard her daughter 's eternal salvation as far more important , and more in her daughter 's best interests , than lengthening her terrestrial life span . ( g ) We do not know what the mother said to Miss T. , because she has not chosen to tell the court , but it appears to be the fact that on the two occasions when Miss T. raised the issue of blood transfusions , she did so suddenly and ‘ out of the blue’ without any inquiry from hospital staff and immediately following occasions when she had been alone with her mother . Guidance for doctors and hospitals The fact that ‘ emergency cases’ apart , no medical treatment of an adult patient of full capacity can be undertaken without his consent , creates a situation in which the absence of consent has much the same effect as a refusal .
Idiom: bang for the buck (used idiomatically: yes)
For the BP Exploration effort locally , there is security of supply of parts and oil for their vehicles . For the two - million population of Baku , whose option for obtaining vehicles parts is a nine - hour train journey to Moscow , the shop is a very welcome innovation . Common philosophy : What is becoming clear as the partnership progresses is that BP and Unipart share a common philosophy — based on quality products , a focus on giving customers the best possible service , and a commercial drive to get more bang for fewer bucks . And , of course , their products are complementary . ' We have n't even scratched the surface yet , ' predicts Eddie Thorning .
Idiom: hold someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Almost eight.’ She hesitated , and Edouard thought : She 's changed ; she never hesitated before ; she 's more beautiful than ever . ‘ They just vanished,’ he said , and , still holding her hand , sat down beside her . ‘ Two Martinis.’ The hovering waiter sped away .
Idiom: under the influence (used idiomatically: yes)
Swindon lost Hockaday with a fractured cheekbone just before half - time as they were beginning to make an impression on the game . Both sides have been soaring up their respective divisions . Bolton play the same sort of attractive passing football as Swindon under the influence of Ossie Ardiles . But the Lancashire side had the added ingredient of grit and some decisive tackling limited Swindon 's chances to two in an hour . The Second Division side seemed bereft of ideas until White suddenly found an opening .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: yes)
( And this at a time when the Unionists could install their own government whenever they wished , through their control of both Houses . ) Selborne had resigned from Asquith s government in 1916 and was not offered a post by Lloyd George . From the House of Lords and the National Union he became a thorn in the flesh of the party leaders , where in a party government it would have been inconceivable that such a man , at the height of his powers and with powerful connections . should be left out . Steel - Maitland had been appointed Party Chairman in 1911 to a post " of cabinet rank " , and had served loyally for four years without pay or reward .
Idiom: on a roll (used idiomatically: yes)
And I did n't give it a moment 's real consideration . Honest , Springsteen . ‘ And even if they really are fakes — synthetic fur —’ she was on a roll now ' — it 's made from petrochemicals and they 're non - biodegradable and therefore damaging to the environment.’ Hell 's teeth , they had you all ways . ‘ And do n't give me any crap about hunting and fur - trading helping to preserve the primitive economies and lifestyles of Eskimos and Bantu bloody tribesmen or whatever.’
Idiom: on edge (used idiomatically: yes)
' Temper improved any ? ' Normally his provocative question would have sparked off a fiery response , but now , feeling gloomy and depressed , Luce said nothing . He sat down on the edge of the bed and , taking her chin between finger and thumb , lifted her face to his and asked crisply , ' So what 's wrong ? ' ' Nothing 's wrong . ' But her voice wobbled , and she felt dangerously close to tears .
Idiom: kick the habit (used idiomatically: yes)
Since her son 's death Mrs Barber has been fighting to get the message of the dangers of solvent abuse across . Today she joined health and social workers at a special conference hosted in Northampton . There too a twenty year old who has managed to kick a habit that was leading him down a dangerous path . Male speaker We needed money for glue , we went vandalising property .
Idiom: kick ass (used idiomatically: yes)
Superchunk have covered ' Brand New Love ' as some kinda tribute . A few major labels have been sniffing around on the strength of ' Rockin ' The Forest ' . They kick mellow ass live . But there 's one thing to be sure of ; their hearts are in this game for keeps . Are you sitting comfortably ?
Idiom: on the house (used idiomatically: yes)
" Miss Lockwood left the house to be divided between you , as you both see fit , but she suggested that Mr. Preston kept possession of his present furnished flat and ground - floor office . All the furniture in Mr. Preston 's accommodation —is to be his with the exception of the old mahogany bureau which I believe you , Sara , have always looked on as your special possession . " I looked on the whole house as my special possession , thought Sara dismally . " The rest of the furniture , silver , paintings , curios , et cetra , all go to Sara . Lizzie Stroud for whom Miss Lockwood made provision in the form of an annuity , is to continue to live on the top floor for as long as she chooses .
Idiom: collect dust (used idiomatically: yes)
TODAY 'S STEP Take a pencil and pad and estimate the cost of all the rubbish in your office . If you 're never going to read those twenty - year - old management books collecting dust on your office shelf make some profit ( it 's always best to start in a small way ) by selling them to a secondhand bookshop . The space you release can be used most profitably . Now repeat the exercise around your department .
Idiom: make a virtue of necessity (used idiomatically: yes)
The layout was already there but I have to admit that , given the choice , I would n't necessarily have designed the garden that way . The little round lawn with its grass path was so bitty that I was tempted to remove it altogether , and the two paved areas seemed too small to accommodate much more than a deckchair . However , my brief was to make a virtue of necessity , as we all have to do from time to time , and concentrate on the planting . Planting is a crucial part of any garden . Terraces , walls , lawns and borders all play their parts but it is only by judicious planting that we can ensure as much joy in January as in June .
Idiom: set eyes on (used idiomatically: yes)
Hari mended the fire and sat back on her heels , looking at her blackened fingers . Where was he , had he been taken by the constables ? Was he even now locked up in some prison cell to become once again the unkempt figure he had been when she first set eyes on him ? Later , Hari forced herself to enter the workshop and get on with her repairs . She had enough work for several more days and then after that , she would need to tramp around the streets seeking new customers .
Idiom: anything goes (used idiomatically: no)
They did n't want his help , each one told him straight , because by the time he was briefed into what they were working on , then he would be away and they 'd have wasted the classroom time . What he did learn was the coffee machine . Anything ever go wrong with a coffee machine , then send for Bill Erlich . Too much milk , too little sugar , too much chocolate … send for Bill . He had stripped the machine down .
Idiom: bums on seats (used idiomatically: yes)
We started off with five thousand six hundred and ninety one pounds last year this year we 've ended up with four thousand seven hundred and eighty eight pounds . Erm basically we 've spent more than we 've erm taken in but that was a deliberate policy agreed on by the committee we 've already mentioned Norman 's flats erm that has been a most worthwhile expenditure and we 've got to look at that as a long - term investment because we 've got flats which are going to last for years and our expenditure which was getting on for fifteen hundred pounds will not have to be repeated . Other things we have purchased which have reduced the balance , again the cushions , but it , this is a long - term investment and we should recoup that with extra bums on cushions rather than on seats . Erm the three plays have erm produced two surpluses and one deficit , the panto a thundering surplus . We made two hundred and forty five pounds on Thriller of the Year one hundred and nineteen pounds on Tea for Two but that is after we 've made the three hundred pounds donation to Whiston Hospital we made a thousand and eighteen pounds on the panto Wuthering Heights we lost four hundred and nine pounds , but that was basically that we do costume plays and have to hire the erm fixtures and set pieces from Wrightsons or wherever we 're always going to be in this position and I think it 's the tradition of the Garrick that we continue to do them , and I think we have to accept that we may have losses in future on those particular erm things .
Idiom: give someone a bloody nose (used idiomatically: yes)
This time it had been Byford 's patrol , not the police or the Black and Tans . ‘ You pays your money and you takes your chance'-that was war . Privately Captain Simcox hoped the IRA would be a match for the Tans — well , perhaps that was expecting too much — but it would be something if they could put some manners on them and give them a bloody nose now and again . Contempt was what every man in the barracks felt for them . Even Windsor , their Colonel - in - Chief , made no secret of his belief that they were only licensed thugs rampaging through the countryside in drunken gangs , shooting indiscriminately at passers - by , looting shops , setting fire to farmhouses and stock .
Idiom: think twice (used idiomatically: yes)
As I promised you last week , this is going to be a second look at that very British of institutions , the Magistrates ' Court . I recently found myself speaking to Geoffrey Norman , the Secretary of the Magistrates ' Association , about court procedures . As you probably know , about ninety eight per cent of all criminal cases are dealt with by magistrates ' court , which is a truly remarkable figure , and I think you have to think about it twice when it 's first said . I think the other feature of the system is — and I think people generally do n't realize what a remarkable it is — we 're just about the only country in the world that has this system , and we are remarkably successful in involving ordinary members of the community in the administration of justice , both in our lay magistrates system and in our jury system . And erm I think generally people do n't realize how quite unique that is . erm one thing , of course , which is also not erm very readily understood , is the involvement of the legal person , the Clerk to the Justices , in the system , so that with the three Justices you 'll having sitting you 'll have sitting below them the legally qualified Clerk , and I suppose it 's this particular feature of the system which is difficult for people abroad to comprehend _ how a legally qualified person can be sitting there without dominating the proceedings .