Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: nudge nudge wink wink (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ My girlfriend , Ashley Fleming , is a busy company director,’ he had told a reporter , ‘ which means she ca n't be with me at most Grands Prix . However , when we do meet up it 's well worth while.’ And , as if that nudge - nudge , wink - wink had not been enough , her foster brother had provided a photograph to illustrate the article which had seemed to prove his claims . ‘ I did n't think you 'd mind,’ Simon had said yesterday , when she had angrily voiced her objections . ‘ You did n't think I 'd find out!’ she had retorted .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
Dr Higgs always appeared the most likely scapegoat for what happened in Cleveland in 1987 . She had been in the post for only seven months when the inquiry started , had little public or professional support , and there was unlikely to be any backlash to her being blamed . Yet since 1987 , the level of child sexual abuse diagnosed in Cleveland has been shown to be no higher than elsewhere in the country , and an increasing number of people locally take the view that she should be treated in the same way as myself — allowed to return to work as a paediatrician in Cleveland , but restricted from working in child abuse for the time being . That would allay concerns about public confidence in the paediatric services at Middlesbrough General Hospital . To blame an individual doctor for making a diagnosis of child sexual abuse because adults find anal abuse difficult to understand and accept has serious implications .
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: yes)
BARRY HEARN made millions out of — and for — snooker and has subsequently spent mi His rivals pretend to loath him , some actually do , and his enthusiasm for his players , boxers and loadsamoney schemes can appear OTT . But Hearn , fiercely loyal to his Matchroom family , is an astute and clever businessman with a lust for life — and hard cash . Here , talking exclusively to Steve Acteson , Hearn has come clean to laugh at his disasters and the worst decisions of his career . A RIGHT ROYAL COCK-UP IN the middle 80s , snooker was booming and I was doing my best to cash-in on selling it around the world .
Idiom: not all there (used idiomatically: no)
So far so good , but in Skat this is not all there is to the story .
Idiom: second nature (used idiomatically: yes)
A major area of concern remains safety , with Novaceta carrying the burden of having the worst record among Courtaulds - owned and joint venture companies . Exchange rates ‘ critical’ THINKING , talking and working along European lines has been second nature to Mike Ward for many years now . Though born in Britain , he regards himself as a citizen of Europe and Italy as his adopted home . Ten years with Courtaulds Italia , based in Milan , have given him a Mediterranean outlook on life which squares easily with the goals of Single Market integration .
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: yes)
Fill a greased earthenware or enamelled cast iron dish ( or dishes ) , put a bayleaf on top and bake in the oven at 350F/175C / gas 4 . If you make two portions , test after 35 minutes by inserting a skewer into the centre for 30 seconds . It should come out clean and hot to the touch . For a single portion , bake for 45–50 minutes . Allow to cool before refrigerating .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
The debate revealed again the traditional animosity between the right - wing engineers and electricians unions and the left - wing miners ' union . Eric Hammond , the electricians leader , said the Labour Party could not afford to return to the Seventies of ‘ mindless militancy’ . Nor would rank and file trade unionists give up their rights to be ballotted on strike action and the appointment of officials , Mr Hammond said . From the opposing camp , Arthur Scargill , president of the National Union of Mineworkers , was cheered when he likened the review report to In Place of Strife — the Wilson government 's attempt to curb union power . ‘ As far as we are concerned , if nurses are in conflict with their employer -and they are the least - able section of our society to fight — it is incumbent upon workers to take a stand to support nurses and other workers.’
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
Diplomatic relations were re - established with the United Kingdom on May 29 . They had been broken off in 1946 following the sinking of two British frigates off Corfu ; on Albania 's refusal to pay compensation , the UK refused to hand over Albanian gold ( currently estimated to be worth US$ 18,000,000 ) seized by the Nazis during the Second World War and held in trust by the UK ever since . It was agreed that resolution of this issue would be shelved for the time being . On June 20 diplomatic relations were established with the European Communities . On June 22 US Secretary of State James Baker paid a one - day visit to Tirana .
Idiom: beyond the pale (used idiomatically: yes)
He said they used a map with incorrect information on it to suggest that travel times by road in the vast region were greater than they actually were . ‘ It was a deliberate attempt to try to distort the size of Highland Region , he said . ‘ It is bad enough doing that to the uninitiated , but to do it to the Secretary of State is really beyond the pale — it 's quite pathetic.’ Mr Keith cited three examples of information on the map , prepared for the association , which he disputes : that it takes four - and - a - half hours to travel from his home town of Durness , in Sutherland , to Inverness ; that from Dunvegan , on Skye , to Inverness , via Portree , takes four hours 45 minutes , and that Inverness to Dalwhinnie takes one hour 25 minutes . He said that the map showed the route from Durness to Inverness as passing by Dounreay , Thurso and Wick , a journey he would never undertake ‘ not even to boost my travel allowance.’
Idiom: prop up the bar (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yuppie Flu’ is a term invented by the gutter press — the same people who dismiss Aids as a ‘ Gay Plague’ . P. Edisbury Solihull . POOR old Jeffrey Bernard , so terrified of women , shaking in his frail , alcoholically reinforced misogynists shoes — cynical and brittle , propping up the bar and amusing his ( male ) audience by spilling his wit and intelligence in bar - room bons mots . From that dissolute , pleasurable and wasted place , no wonder he 's threatened by people who decide to use their intelligence differently , and especially by women who do n't fit a stereotype that bolsters the ludicrous notion that He is a Superior Being . Sad really , but I 'd rather the impotent ramblings appeared in the Spectator and left the Guardian to those of us who enjoy reading it .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
( As Irving points out it was , frankly , anachronistic ; more or less what Edouard Daladier had demanded after the disturbances in Indochina in 1930 . ) In any case the interests of Vietnam — or , one might say , the non - interest in Vietnam — had been subsumed and constrained in France 's Brazzaville Declaration of January 1944 which said , unequivocally , Whereas the aims of the work of civilization accomplished by France in her colonies rule out all idea of autonomy and all possibility of development outside the French Empire;[therefore]the eventual constitution , even in the far off future , of self - government in the colonies is out of the question . As the most advanced part of the French colonial empire Vietnam in 1945 might , perhaps , by a sort of inductive leap , have been the first French colony to become independent . In hindsight , that is .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: no)
When he saw me , his face turned white . Clearly , he was surprised and deeply unhappy to see me . The coronation seemed to last for hours , but I managed to say and do all the right things . At last it was over , and I was now the King of Ruritania ! As Princess Flavia and I drove back to the palace in an open car , one man in the crowd called out , ' When 's the wedding ? '
Idiom: in the loop (used idiomatically: no)
Both information and clarification are essential in all meetings , indeed they are the essence of any communication between people . The problem of going round in circles is caused by a surplus of information and explanation , and a deficit of ideas and reactions to those ideas . The peril of getting caught in an information loop is made plain if we look at the following facts . Whenever you ask a question of clarification or ask for information nine times out of ten clarification or information is forthcoming . Whenever you give clarification or provide information four times out of ten someone else will follow you by doing the same and three times out of ten someone else will follow you by asking for more .
Idiom: turn up trumps (used idiomatically: yes)
Categories this year have been changed with the aim of spreading the £ 2,150 plus training grants further . This will include male 40 , 45 and 50 plus events plus male and female categories , with the first three finishers to count . With £ 400 to the first man home and £ 300 to the first lady and considerable training grants throughout , Lisburn looks sure to turn up trumps once again . Around 3,000 runners all told are expected to take part and for the serious athletes , there will be a bonus of £ 50 ( male and female ) for record breakers … men 64.10 and women 76.38 . Entry fees are ( half marathon ) £ 4.50 ( £ 10 for late entries ) and Fun Run £ 3.50 ( £ 5 for late entries ) .
Idiom: rake over old coals (used idiomatically: yes)
But Wilkinson considered this incident , along with subsequent events , as part of Cantona 's ‘ Le Brat’ antics — and was no longer prepared to tolerate them . Wilkinson , though , was unwilling to get drawn into a slanging match yesterday . ‘ I do not see the point in raking over old coals,’ he said philosophically . And at Old Trafford yesterday , Cantona denied that he had asked for a transfer or that his working relationship with Wilkinson had suffered any breakdown . He said : ‘ From every standpoint , I spent some of my best footballing months at Elland Road .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
White and black Chicago ‘ MARIA PAPPAS for County Commissioner’ , ‘ Raul Villalobos for State Attorney’ , ‘ William Patrick O'Malley for Judge’ . After five minutes in Chicago , where every lamp - post is festooned with flyers , where every office is up for grabs , and where every name proclaims the city 's ethnic diversity , a visitor swims in the sheer exuberance . So much for the handwringing about the decline of the political process that goes on in Washington . In a year without a presidential contest , in elections that were merely primaries — and mainly for local offices — around 45 % of registered voters turned out on March 20th .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
Yet for all their meanness , we learn from the minutes that by the end of 1907 nine holes were open , as was the clubhouse , and that several men , ladies and boys had been elected as members . In 1908 , when the remaining nine holes were opened , courses also opened at Frilford Heath , North Oxford and Harewood Downs , followed by Temple in 1909 , Reading ( formerly Caversham and South Oxon ) in 1910 and Sonning in 1914 . The novelty of a golf course being built at Henley was interesting material to the proprietor of the Henley Standard , a certain 30-year - old Charles Luker who was to join the Club in about 1909–10 , and eventually become both its Captain and President . Not surprisingly , he saw the news of the Club and course as a good story and they were given generous coverage for many years . It is to the Standard that one looks for the first record of all .
Idiom: on the trot (used idiomatically: yes)
So , we are ‘ allowed’ one draw — one win — one draw … etc etc . We need to catch up 4 points . 4 wins on the trot will put us on course . This formula also allows for defeats … 2 wins for every defeat is also OK . You be careful!:- )
Idiom: touch a nerve (used idiomatically: yes)
PAUL HUTTON / Victim 's Friend Voice over Jim Eggleton 's murder touched a nerve throughout his small community in the rural hamlet of Russell 's Water . The 70 year old was a popular man in the area and police have been flooded with people offering information , but they 're no nearer to catching his killer . So today they announced a £ 10,000 reward offered in tandem with the Community Action Trust .
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
Intelligent and well researched , Morrissey escapes the naivety and hypocrisy that has brought a thousand young and earnest rock stars before him into the shallow waters of the plastic art form pop music so often is . The past eight years has seen a steady and clever manipulation of the so - called thinking minority : the wheezes and schemes of cheeky pop entrepreneurs like Morley and McLaren have been championed in the rock press and elsewhere as a perfect parallel to the upwardly mobile mentality of the calculator and computer generation , the complete full circle from sixties hippiedom . The Smiths run directly against the grain . They are far from perfect : a gulf appears naturally between their original ideas and their new found pedestal . They slip into inaccessible elitism .
Idiom: watch this space (used idiomatically: yes)
In the name of creating a solid defence against a hostile outside world , dissidents or ' deviants ' are thrown out like sacrifices to the god racism . But since racism is caused by racists and not by their targets , it does n't matter how well behaved or united they are : the god turns out to be insatiable . THE UNIVERSE Watch this space Have scientists just made the cosmological breakthrough of all time ? Not quite , says Pat Coyne Readers of the British press can hardly have failed to notice the headlines announcing ' How the Universe Began ' , ' the Holy Grail of Cosmology ' and the ' Discovery of All Time ' .
Idiom: push the boat out (used idiomatically: yes)
AQUARIUS ( Jan 21/Feb 19 ) Do whatever gives you most pleasure this weekend . From the physical joys of fine wines , gourmet foods and making love to the cerebral delights of a trip to the theatre , cinema or ballet this is your chance to push the boat out . PISCES ( Feb 20-Mar 20 ) Issues affecting your home and family dominate the weekend .
Idiom: in the final analysis (used idiomatically: yes)
Authority is a secondary issue and flows from accountability in the sense that there should be just that amount of authority needed to discharge the accountability . So if a group is to be given authority , its members must be held accountable as a group , and unless this is done , it is very hard to take so - called group decisions seriously . If the CEO or the manager of the group is held accountable for outcomes , then in the final analysis , he or she will have to agree with group decisions or have the authority to block them , which means that the group never really had decision - making power to begin with . Alternatively , if groups are allowed to make decisions without their manager 's seal of approval , then accountability as such will suffer , for if a group does badly , the group is never fired ( and it would be shocking if it were ) . In the long run , therefore , group authority without group accountability is dysfunctional , and group authority with group accountability is unacceptable .
Idiom: win the day (used idiomatically: yes)
A general waiver has been granted by the Council to permit the establishment of staff bonus schemes which make payments to employees calculated by reference to the gross fee income or net profits of the firm ; which are open to all employees subject only to a short ( maximum three years ) qualifying period ; where the basis of distribution ( length of service , proportionate to salary etc ) is disclosed to the staff , but where the actual level of profits or income need not be so disclosed ; and where no distribution is permitted which is related to the introduction of business . Multi - disciplinary practices For some time the desirability of permitting partnerships between solicitors and other professionals ( particularly accountants ) has been the subject of intense discussion both within and without the legal profession . It seems that those in favour of a change in the present restrictions have won the day ; for the repeal of s39 of the Solicitors Act was specifically designed to facilitate MDPs . The public legal obstacle having been removed , however , caution required that the final lifting of the ban depend upon the Law Society changing its rules . Such change is at the time of writing imminent , though it is unlikely that the whole profession will be affected at the outset .
Idiom: off and on (used idiomatically: yes)
She was in a state . Why was Clive not here yet ? The stomach cramps had been coming back , off and on , all day , but so far she had been able to keep them under control . In her flat with Anne , and in the taxi , she had been able to conceal her pain from the older woman . Now , the spasms were worse than ever .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
Is my twenty fifth of May tape at your house ? Yeah . Well it 's out of order to anyone . Well what happened ? Why ?
Idiom: touch wood (used idiomatically: yes)
God ! But these two , I mean fine . Touch wood ! Just thought They 're healthy and that 's it !
Idiom: fly in the face of (used idiomatically: yes)
Evil is not literally the ‘ dreaded Apollyon’ of Bunyan 's allegory Pilgrim 's Progress . If we concentrate only on the mythological representations and personifications of evil , we too easily relegate the Devil to our private worlds of personal torments and individual temptations . I do not wish to exclude him from such private and individual arenas , for to do so would be to fly in the face of Christian tradition from the fathers to C. S. Lewis and Cardinal Suenens ( 1982 ) in our own time . But I do want us to realise that evil today has to be faced in a far more fundamental and crucial theatre of war : it is in the processes and ideologies of the modern world itself that we find the destructive , impersonal and heartless force of the Dark Power . We need not wait for evil to swoop out of the cosmos or ascend from the depths of hell : it is here now , not incarnate in human form but embodied in the structures and philosophies of our modern culture.l It is this contemporary culture with which we must grapple and fight .
Idiom: from scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
As they are about competence at work , they will include not only competences relating directly to the funeral service but also competences to do with working relationships or health and safety . Should an individual wish to take an S / NVQ who already has a qualification relating to the funeral service , that qualification will not give direct credit exemption but can count as evidence of competence . In other words , an individual will not need to start from scratch where there is already reliable evidence of competence at work . Training and NVQs and SVQs S / NVQs are specifications of competence .
Idiom: get the boot (used idiomatically: yes)
Do n't come through that classroom door Mr Moore wears iron suits Mr Moore 's got wooden boots Mr Moore 's got hair like a brush And Mr Moore do n't like me much
Idiom: Pyrrhic victory (used idiomatically: yes)
Although Rhys has now been offered treatment in Bristol , subject to ethical approval and a suitable donor being forthcoming , ‘ valuable , perhaps literally vital time has been lost’ . On his behalf , Rhys 's father sought judicial review and a declaration that the decision to close the London unit was unlawful . A failure to consult in accordance with a clear duty to do so before the decision to close a unit may be ruled unlawful , but may amount to little more than a Pyrrhic victory for the applicants for judicial review . Here , instead of consulting as they were obliged to , the health authority had kept even the head of the unit , Prof John Hobbs , ignorant of what was happening . The resultant loss of staff confidence caused important members of the team to leave .
Idiom: get to the bottom of (used idiomatically: yes)
Then Ramsey said , ' I think you will find Lincoln rather a quiet place . ' This was the end of the interview . In vacations he still went for interviews with his psychiatrist , who did not feel that he had quite got ' to the bottom of things ' . But this no longer disturbed the even tenor of life . A little group of letters survived which affords insight into his attitude in this earlier time at Lincoln .
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
Capital Equipment — Computers Jane Daly has just given me a copy of the new Capital Equipment RTP forms . The procedures look fine for the purchase of one - off and novel items , but it occurs to me that it would save time and effort if we established ' preferred suppliers ' for standard PCs , printers , and peripherals , so that we do n't have to obtain multiple quotes and give reasons for supplier choice each time we order an off - the - shelf system . This sort of procedure is well established in other organizations , such as the University , and provided the preferred suppliers are properly chosen in the first place , and alternative source prices are kept under review at regular intervals , I think there are economic advantages in standardising suppliers . Should we table this for discussion next Computing meeting ?
Idiom: make a clean break (used idiomatically: yes)
The first physical separation must later be followed by a psychological separation so that the child can become an independent adult . For a woman , letting go may be one of the hardest things she has to do . Men may suffer just as much when a relationship fails , but they seem able to make a cleaner break . A woman may convince herself that if she holds on , is patient , and tries to change things , she can bring it back to life . Any small hope held out to her by circumstances , or by her lover , is as a wisp which she can spin and twist into a thread , and if she gathers enough of these her feelings tell her that she will be able to bind them into a strong rope .
Idiom: poacher turned gamekeeper (used idiomatically: yes)
What is the relationship between companies ' usage of large international headhunting firms compared with smaller , specialised consultancies ? What is the attitude of companies to headhunters poaching their people ? Have they experienced the phenomenon of poacher - turned - gamekeeper or gamekeeper - turned - poacher ? Was recruiting by companies affected by the Big Bang and/or the stock market crash of October 1987 ? How did the companies first come across the headhunting firms they employed ?
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
You 've no idea how secretive she is . I do n't like it . And , ' she added , determined to have the last word , ' she is becoming far too toffee - nosed . ' Louise was right about Miss Hatherby . She was not a lesbian and it was Constance 's mind that she wished to possess , not her body .
Idiom: point the finger (used idiomatically: yes)
The police can object strongly , but by law magistrates have to weigh up all the auguments , for and against . With hindsight in Andrew Hagans case they made the wrong decision . He says it does n't make sense to point the finger of blame , it 's the law that is at fault . Even though Hagans had already admitted more than thirty offences of indecency , and was facing a charge of raping another woman , Cheltenham magistrates were not convinced by police fears that he could commit further offences . Hagans solicitor augued there was little evidence for the earlier rape charge , he should be granted bail .
Idiom: go all the way (used idiomatically: yes)
Get used to it . Think about north . It was n't possible to go all the way to the road on one 's knees : the undergrowth was too thick , the saplings in places too close together . I would have to stand up . So , OK , hauling on branches , I stood up .