Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: hope against hope (used idiomatically: yes)
And I 'm still shattered . You do n't mind if I sleep on the way back , do you?’ In fact she 'd had a brief nap on the flight over and the adrenalin was racing round her body , making the possibility of sleep unlikely , but anything was better than sitting like a frightened child beside him , hoping against hope that he would finally melt and utter the sort of words she had once yearned to hear . Without waiting for his reply , she yawned once more , curled up as best she could , and , acting for all she was worth , let her head loll as if sleep had already claimed her . Like this , she found it difficult to tell which way he was driving .
Idiom: get to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
Another feature of the Enterprise Initiative is the development of employer partnerships , to work on ‘ live projects’ . These projects involve students , individually or in groups , in work concerned with meeting a real need , identified by an outside employer . This offers students an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in the real world , at the same time as offering employers the chance to get to grips with a problem or task that they might not have the time or resources to tackle . Perhaps your company has a project that could benefit from such a partnership — if so , our Enterprise Development Officer will be happy to discuss it with you . In gaining the title university , Napier has been recognised as a leader in higher education .
Idiom: grind to a halt (used idiomatically: yes)
Soviet oilmen have been tapping into these supplies since the 1940s , when they created Oil Rocks , a gigantic production centre with 200 kilometres of causeway , built on concrete piles and landfill offshore . The Azeris now have yards steadily churning out mobile production platforms , and have built piles for one of BP 's North Sea platforms . But without western investment their already degraded energy complex would grind to a halt . Tom Hickox — no relation to Wild Bill — is a tall , paunchy oilman from Texon , Texas , a vice - president of the new Pennzoil Caspian Corporation . Understandably his view of oil exploitation in Azerbaijan is benign .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: no)
Her looted heart , first ransacked of all that she had to give and then shattered . Having spent himself , he had still found the will and strength to move away after he had withdrawn from her , so that they lay without touching , the space between them painfully eloquent , the gleaming coppery curve of the shoulder that he presented to her even more hurtful . ' Bastard , ' Maria said softly , noticing the marks her nails had left in his smooth flesh without surprise . ' Did n't you enjoy it ? ' Luke enquired in a sarcastic murmur , not even turning to look at her .
Idiom: around the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
The police are investigating the cause of the crash around the clock .
Idiom: taste blood (used idiomatically: yes)
The gang picked their victims at random after hijacking cars and driving through Dayton , Ohio . One was a 16-year - old girl . Last night a detective hunting the killers said : ‘ They were like sharks , once they tasted blood , they could n't stop . We think it turned into a joykilling . ‘ It certainly seems that having killed once , it became easier and easier for them .
Idiom: wipe someone's eye (used idiomatically: yes)
I picked myself up , and when I had wiped my eyes clear of dust , I saw before me the lady 's - maid , from whose shoulders the white cloak was just falling .
Idiom: on the ground (used idiomatically: yes)
Business being the operative word . Golfers are now demanding Olympic medals in place of monthly medals . And who can deny them on the grounds of professionalism , when the five rings of the Olympic movement is in danger of becoming a three-ring circus ? Ludicrous Tennis players are already counting their net gains and the ludicrous American Dream Team earned millions from annihilating all the basketball opposition in Barcelona .
Idiom: jump to conclusions (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . What 's she got cancer or something ? Well I dunno I mean everybody jumps to that conclusion but Oh my God ! I dunno but she
Idiom: bottom drawer (used idiomatically: yes)
Listen , erm , maybe . If I can help you in any way , can I help you do the dishes ? The bottom drawer you can put this in . The bottom drawer . It 's half full .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: no)
His sudden rush of Anglican devotion remained unexplained and incomprehensible . My mother said that in his South Yorkshire village Methodists had been looked down upon . On another level , perhaps he was fighting a wayward spirit he could not control . It was open battle from then on . " Time is on your side , " my mother would say wearily , looking outwards , as if towards a hidden wall beyond immediate seeing .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
Forced to abandon their containing tactics , Ipswich came surging forward in search of the equaliser . And when Mick Stockwell slid over a low cross in the 73rd minute , Kiwomya was on hand to sidefoot it past goalkeeper Nigel Spink . It looked as if the Saunders-Atkinson partnership had done the trick for Villa again in the 77th minute . This time Atkinson slid the ball through to Saunders , who waited for keeper Clive Baker to advance from his line before clipping it over his head and into the net . But Kiwomya had the last word , capitalising on a slice of good fortune to make his birthday celebrations complete .
Idiom: on the game (used idiomatically: no)
Elsewhere , several games are called off , but in those that were played there are wins for Abingdon Town , Bicester , Milton , Headington United beat Thame and Peppard beat Malborough ; there 's a draw for Witney and defeat for Abingdon United . All major rugby matches locally were called off today . More on all those football games in a moment , first the classified results , starting on the local scene . League division two ; Oxford United one , Charlton one ; the Beezer Homes League southern division ; Witney two , Yate Town two ; the Vauxhall League division two south ; Abingdon Town three , Horsham nil ; the Hellenic League premier division ; Bishops Cleve nil , Milton one ; Bicester six , Swindon Athletic one ; Didcot against Almondsbury , match postponed ; Wantage against Shortwood , match postponed ; in the Oxfordshire senior cup third round ; Easington Sports against Watlington , match postponed ; Headington two , Thame nil ; Northleigh against Ardley and Oxford City against Carterton , matches postponed ; Peppard five , Malborough one ; and in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup second round ; Abingdon United nil , Chesham three . Now for the national classified results , here 's Headley Feast .
Idiom: young blood (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Princess , this is Jules De Vere . He 's a friend of mine — a master goldsmith.’ The Frenchman ruthlessly forced the young bloods on the couch to make room for him beside her . ‘ I am honoured to meet you , the brightest gem here.’ She listened to his compliments , feeling a little uncomfortable .
Idiom: go hand in hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Many children need to spend much of their time with the group in physical activity out - of - doors , and a teacher supervising them can help to develop their experiences and language , so that she feels her time is being used just as profitably out - of - doors as within the confines of the classroom . The rapid development of physical co - ordination and agility by children of three and four years old is very obvious . Intellectual development goes hand in hand with this physical progression as children experiment with materials and learn to control them . Their own experience leads them on , for example , to rejecting a full box or bucket that they think is too heavy for them to carry . From being surprised that a ball rolls away on a gentle slope , a child will purposely ride his scooter down the same slope for enjoyment , knowing that he then has to push it up again .
Idiom: twist someone's arm (used idiomatically: yes)
No - one but Leslie Law , his regular competition partner , and Linda , Sam 's wife who is devoted to the horses , ever have the pleasure of riding Ambassador . Being a working stallion who has covered forty mares this season , he leads a fairly busy life . ' We did say we 'd limit him to thirty mares as he 's been so busy competing , but somehow we managed to allow our arms to be twisted a few times . But we actually do A.I. ( artificial insemination ) here on the farm , and that helps . We find that it is every bit as effective as the natural service , in fact , though I have n't seen the figures , it might just be slightly better because the mares are inseminated when they are at their most receptive . '
Idiom: go it alone (used idiomatically: yes)
If you 're unhappy and miserable because you 're lonely , then you have to find other ways to address that than going out and buying something to wear , or getting drunk . In the end , a new Lycra frock is never going to give you the warm , rosy glow of friendship.’ Wherever possible , though , he recommends turning to family and friends for emotional help with the problem , rather than going it alone . ‘ But if partners or those around you are n't able to help , then it may be time to seek professional help.’ Your GP may be able to point you in the right direction , and it 's worth finding out if the psychology department of your local hospital takes referrals .
Idiom: get wind of (used idiomatically: yes)
erm Perhaps you can begin to pick out where it keeps saying no Answer . The next two in the margin , if you go further in you 'll see a ‘ noe answere’ . ( It 's always spelt N O E , and answer has an E. ) One does have this feeling that people were getting wind of Mr Edward Heath walking down the street , and were going out the back doors of the house . erm Yes , now if we get to about half way down there 's a plus in the margin , and the third line in the bracket below that plus , more or less on a level with a three dot , and a little bit below , it says , William , I think it 's Wilkinson , a minister , curate of St Ebbe 's Parish , ‘ his answer that he must attend the burials and christenings’ , so obviously he could n't work on the fortifications . And then , if we go right down to the bottom , there 's a whole lot bracketed together against the .
Idiom: feel the pinch (used idiomatically: yes)
Our next bulletin is at 10.35 p.m. Until then , goodnight . And sadly , Olympic rowers are n't the only ones feeling the pinch … on the eve of a new international rugby season Gloucester 's World Cup hero Mike Teague is seeking compensation from the sport 's governing body Iron man Mike claims the shoulder injury he suffered while playing for England has stopped him from working as a builder and he 's lost between three and five thousand pounds in earnings . He 's missing from the England team tomorrow of course but Gloucester will have a man playing for the Calcutta Cup … as skipper Ian Smith runs out with Scotland for the first time IAN SMITH / Gloucester Captain
Idiom: keep the peace (used idiomatically: yes)
The collapse of the old Soviet Union has dramatically vindicated Conservative defence policy . We have always put the security of our country first . We have kept the peace by staying strong . Today the threat of a massive surprise attack from Eastern Europe has gone . But we still face grave risks to our security .
Idiom: on the trot (used idiomatically: yes)
Both are competing in the Manchester track 's Gorton Cup , and if Pond Tornado repeats its earlier form , his Derby odds could come tumbling down . SUNDERLAND are staging three £ 100 opens tonight , including a trial stakes for the forthcoming £ 2,000-to - the - winner Milligans Bakery Challenge Trphy , which starts a week tonight . Lining up tonight in the 450 metres event are the highly - rated Belle Vue racer No Joe Soap , Powderhall 's Rhincrew Legend , Dawn Milligan 's Smashiton , Sheffield - based Ragus and Gordon Rooks ' Movealong Sharp , which won three on the trot at the East Boldon circuit before losing on the run - in last week . There are two puppy opens . Division One sees a clash between Dave Mullins ' speedy railer Kyle Alex , which won a P1 grade race at Sunderland last Friday , and Harry Williamstrained Mailcom Soda .
Idiom: pissed off (used idiomatically: yes)
Oh that 's alright , fucking , fucking crap and as I was saying that my voice broke and I walked off and I started crying so pissed off , it just makes me feel such a girl . You 're not allowed here , this is the boys ' Yeah
Idiom: catch someone's eye (used idiomatically: no)
Another model was a black wool spot jacket , with turnback rever and beaver collar ; and a couple of very luxurious long coats trimmed with light beaver . The evening clothes were most glamorous . The first to catch my eye was a black velvet bustier with embroidered crêpe wrap skirt , and embroidered crêpe stole ; another was a very pretty evening dress made in black ribbon lace . There was an olive velvet evening dress , with beaver trim ; another made of purple velvet and organza ; another with a purple velvet bodice and gold organza skirt ; a khaki double duchesse satin dress , with a magnificent purple velvet belt with back bow ; a lovely purple taffeta dress with gold shaped belt with tails . Finally , the show ended with an ivory satin bustier covered in ivory lace , with an ivory duchesse satin full skirt .
Idiom: get to the bottom of (used idiomatically: yes)
and gratefully aid that work . Chairman , I must confess to being erm , to being somewhat pessimistic about this whole er this this whole problem of of the need to refurbish and the need to tackle numbers in our elderly persons homes . I 'm pessimistic because I believe that if the council is to tackle what I still believe to be a big problem of the local authority then it can not really do so without the support of the largest party on this authority and if we have heard erm an honest assessment of their perception of of the case , I I really I really do despair that this council will will get to the bottom of the problem . I mean , one 's , one 's entitled to ask I think if there is no problem , if we only have vacancies of two or three in our elderly persons homes throughout the county wh erm why on earth did the director of the social serv , did the director of social services and his deputy at the meeting on the twenty fifth of August of the social services committee , say that this was the greatest problem which was facing this council . Why on earth eighteen months ago did the district auditor issue a letter saying that unless the council did something about the situation of numbers and of finance within its elderly persons homes then it would come in and it would require the council to take action .
Idiom: fall from grace (used idiomatically: yes)
In such a short space of time , he had plunged from the pinnacle of success to the depths of defeat . Then he had been reprieved from an open - ended sentence of death by combat , and raised to a position of great prestige and power which also promised a life of action and danger well suited to his special talents . But despite his subsequent Phoenix - like rise from the ashes of defeat , he reflected that his fall from grace had been mainly due to the persistent interference of the private detective Grant . He recalled the final outcome of the short fight in the forest clearing , and wondered if his final power - punch to the face had killed him . Perhaps once he had time to spare from his new duties , he would check up .
Idiom: know the ropes (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Maude , I 'd like Mr Millet , East Europe desk , to come up . Soonest , please … ’ Whenever he spoke to the woman he regretted that he had not stamped his authority and demanded that Gwen should be released from Leconfield and transferred with him , but they had said in Century 's personnel that he must have a secretary who knew the ropes of the Service , and he had acquiesced . A tepid little frog of a woman , that was his view of Maude Frobisher , and probably harbouring a latent spinster love for his sacked predecessor . Because she disliked it so , he found a fleeting pleasure in calling her by her first name .
Idiom: play games (used idiomatically: no)
Before announcing to the other players what game will be played , two cards must be put away to restore the hand to 10 cards .
Idiom: under the sun (used idiomatically: yes)
Erm , I I think it 's less a problem to be thought that men hate women so much it is alright to be rude about women . Mm . I compiled an anthology a few years ago about , of misogynist quotes , and it 's everything from the bible , the Koran , the Hindu , to , every religion 's in there , all the judges are in there , pop singers are in there , I mean everybody under the sun ! And the things they say yo you read them and you think , oh yes , that 's pretty awful ! But like er , all women are evil and are the cause of all the evil in the world , says Shirley Bassey !
Idiom: neither here nor there (used idiomatically: yes)
I would n't agree that your fantasies are disturbing — or they should n't be . They 're merely the result of a feeling of dissatisfaction . The fact that you fantasise about a woman rather than a man is neither here nor there in these circumstances . Anyone to latch your restless dreams on to would do . Countless people — both men and women — enjoy fantasies .
Idiom: no time like the present (used idiomatically: yes)
I think,’ he said , moving slightly so that his body covered hers again , ‘ that we have a lot of lost time to make up for.’ ‘ When do you suggest we start?’ she whispered . ‘ I always say there 's no time like the present.’ Rachel , lifting her face for his kiss , did n't feel inclined to argue .
Idiom: go without saying (used idiomatically: yes)
But we could all do with a few less stuffed velvet Loch Ness monsters and dismal cafeterias that smell of incontinence . However , Bridge of Orchy station is a very convenient starting point , and after crossing beneath the railway line a prominent path leads you up the hill in the direction of a gully that divides Beinn Dorain from its sister Munro , Beinn an Dothaidh . It goes without saying , unless you 're a reader with severe learning difficulties , that this is a corker of a hill to do if you do n't have a car . The West Highland line from Glasgow runs regularly and you can easily plan a day by the train timetable , unless of course you live in Ullapool . However , the Conservative Government , at the time of writing , are trying in the most unsubtle ways to destroy the rail network in Scotland , a crime that generations to come will curse them for if they succeed .
Idiom: clutch at straws (used idiomatically: yes)
And all the time she knew it in no way matched the reckoning , whose day could not much longer be postponed . In mid - October the Bank of England raised its discount rate — a belated attempt to stem the flood of credit it had itself created . The rise was a mere token , from 2 to 3 per cent , but people were so nervous they clutched at straws , assuring each other that now all would be well . In case Chambers should catch this new form of laughing sickness Nora decided to pay him a visit . Chambers was a tall , lithe , powerful man .
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: no)
21 ) a ) So if the person has to let go of the trolley , it will stop automatically so does n't run away . The person does n't have to think about putting the brake on , it comes on whenever he / she lets go of the lever . b ) People like the trolleys to keep moving slowly when they reach out to take something off the shelf . If there was a brake , this would not happen and the person would have to stop and start all the time rather than moving smoothly around the supermarket . Supermarket trolleys have to be fairly cheap and brakes would make them less economical to produce .
Idiom: queer someone's pitch (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Is that all?’ ‘ Aye , except he pointed out that if she was new to the job and she tried to muzzle in around that quarter , the others would soon make short shrift of her . Remember the other month , it was in the papers , was n't it ? about them tearing the clothes off that one who tried to queer their pitch ? If I remember , that was on a Saturday night when the gents came down for their pickings . Anyway , I 've been thinkin ' about her .
Idiom: drop a hint (used idiomatically: yes)
It seemed almost as if she would have to side with Ianthe against the anthropologists , and this was not at all what she had intended . But when they were sitting at the oval table in the dining - room , eating Mrs Purry 's admirable steak and kidney pudding and drinking a full - bodied Burgundy , Penelope found herself next to Rupert , who talked very pleasantly about Italy , remembering that Penelope was shortly to visit Rome with the parish party , and told her of things she ought to see and restaurants where she might eat . He even dropped a hint that he had a conference in Perugia at about the same time and might very well find himself in Rome after it was over . ‘ Which could be fun,’ he added , looking first at Penelope and then at Ianthe . ‘ We could have given you an introduction to Professor Vanchetti in Rome,’ said Gervase Fairfax , who was Penelope 's other neighbour , ‘ but unfortunately he dropped down dead the other day.’
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
Somewhere there must be an inheritor of more promise , a hint before sunrise of a sun fit to disperse doubts like morning mists , and dazzle out of our vision both king and empress , with all the confusion , chaos and waste they have visited upon this land . ‘ Father Herluin,’ said Radulfus , ‘ will you assay?’ Herluin advanced upon the altar very slowly , as though these few paces , and the climbing of the three steps , must be utilized to the full for prayer , and passionate concentration on this single effort which would make or break for him a dear ambition . In his long , pale lantern face his eyes burned darkly , like half - consumed embers . For all his eagerness , when he came to the testing time he hesitated to touch , and two or three times poised his hands over the book , only to withdraw them again from contact .
Idiom: in the long term (used idiomatically: yes)
land - based industries science SCOTVEC is also starting to look at the possibility of developing general SVQs at level IV in the longer term , building on HNCs and HNDs . Throughout the piloting phase , we hope that there will be a constant two - way communication between centres and SCOTVEC . For our part , we intend to produce a third Update on general SVQs in February 1993 , as well as more informal news and information between now and then .
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: yes)
And we were down to sixty seconds when the referee did Watford another favour spotting an elbow in the face and sticking to his guns . Porter has played over three hundred games for his club but there is no sweeter moment that this . Here comes one of the most exciting games in the Division which is remarkable considering they nearly dropped out of sight last season and sold Stan Collimore this . Brit Angel 's opener was a prelude to the Ricky Otto show . He ca n't offer him a challenge like that .
Idiom: hold the line (used idiomatically: yes)
Tackle Review RYOBI MASTERLINE MATCH REELS Somebody once said to me ' a reel is a reel , it holds line , lets it out and retrieves it ' . I suppose this is true to a certain degree but when match fishing it helps to have the right one for the job . It 's no use trying to throw a 3 oz feeder with a small light reel unless , of course , you want to ruin it .