Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: marching orders (used idiomatically: yes)
North ~ Korean diplomatic attaches are required to conduct weekly and monthly self - criticism sessions . Those seen as having failed to follow Party dictates in an appropriate way face severe recrimination . But other North ~ Koreans in Iran do not take their marching orders from the embassy , and they are of three types . Those from “ Office 99 ” report to the Munitions Industry Department in Pyongyang . Those from “ Office 39 ” report to the Finance and Accounting Department .
Idiom: sell like hot cakes (used idiomatically: yes)
Go . Go . Go … "and the clients would again assume the shares were selling like hot cakes . This spontaneous buzz was more plausible than , for instance , the tape recordings contemporaneously played in the background at DPR Futures to give clients an impression of a busy dealing room . Famous at one licensed dealer was the traditional " one down , nine to shit " routine .
Idiom: Indian summer (used idiomatically: yes)
a lassitude and nothing serious , stales like wine where we loll on grass , our Indian summer on an English lawn . But a snowy man rises with distinction and his royal progress to the door
Idiom: throw down the gauntlet (used idiomatically: yes)
' There are informal networks through which we let one another know what we are doing and we meet and talk . For instance , Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth had ten people each at a meeting recently ( towards the end of 1989 ) to talk about the Green Bill and other issues . ' Ad hoc alliances of green organizations take place from time to time , and at the end of 1988 Greenpeace , Friends of the Earth and the World Wide Fund for Nature jointly threw down a ' green gauntlet ' to the government , urging it to turn propaganda about the environment into action . A list of thirty measures ranging from recycling resources to doubling overseas aid were proposed . It made very little impact .
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm sure some of you last year or least last week or even last month , read about the black sack that had all the wonderful jewels in it that came into a charity shop and I think it 's a lesson for us all is n't it , not not to miss anything in a black sack , Jacqui . Absolutely the other tip with black sacks is tip them out on the floor , do not plunge the hand into it you get livestock , and I have actually had teeth . So it 's one of those things to be very wary of . The other thing is window dressing . Window dressing is incredibly important , change the window every other day if possible , look for professional help in every aspect .
Idiom: touch a nerve (used idiomatically: yes)
Syngman Rhee was dissatisfied with American policy , which was insufficiently supportive , and he told Muccio that South Korea should be included within an essential American defence line . Rhee issued a press statement raising publicly whether South Korea could rely on American assistance in the event of North Korean aggression . This touched a raw nerve and Muccio was instructed immediately to see Rhee and protest at this ' grave breach [ of]ordinary diplomatic courtesy ' . Such criticism of American policy would be counter - productive ; the claims on the United States for economic and military assistance were so great that only a limited amount could be given to Korea . Under pressure from Muccio , Rhee qualified his previous remarks in a further public statement .
Idiom: watering hole (used idiomatically: yes)
The office - party tie . In figured silk , £ 32.50 ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA The drinker 's tie resonates favourably with the floral wallpaper of the watering - hole , £ 42.50 T M LEWIN & SONS Old School — the Marlborian navy , claret and slim - white stripe . Heavy woven silk , £ 17.50
Idiom: bark up the wrong tree (used idiomatically: yes)
Continue alternating lifts , 6 - 10 on each side . Queens pay THOSE who insisted that the Queen pay income tax were barking up the wrong tree . Her contribution will not help our unemployed . All thinking people know income tax is the biggest disincentive to work ever invented .
Idiom: at sixes and sevens (used idiomatically: yes)
Cassie winced . ‘ God , I 'm sorry Cassie . I 'm all at sixes and sevens . I really do n't know what I 'm saying.’ She was too distressed herself to explain that that particular expression did not fall upon her ears with any degree of shock , and wondered quickly if she and Johnny would ever really be able to communicate properly .
Idiom: from scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
Polypropylene has replaced nylon in this range and no standard recipes existed for such a blend . By trial and error , together with years of experience , Lab Technician Wendy Little , worked through an average of six dyeings per shade . As she explained , it was not easy to start from scratch . It took over 800 individual dyeings to complete the programme , changing the proportions until exactly the right colour was achieved . Once the percentages were established these could be used in bulk production , where blends of up to four tonnes are produced .
Idiom: catch fire (used idiomatically: yes)
Damage limitation was successful . By the next day most machines were running . Intense heat had melted and buckled the twisting frame that caught fire . Charred and blackened cones of yarn , melted plastic and rubber mixing with the mess . It will not run again for some time , but from the human point of view , all was well .
Idiom: at a snail's pace (used idiomatically: yes)
If a snail is tapped on the head with a stick , it quickly withdraws into its shell . The reason for this is that the snail can only perceive events which are more than one quarter of a second apart , so a stick which is moved four times a second appears to be stationary . In comparison with birds and even with ourselves , this animals really does live its life at a snail 's pace . For those animals which have backbones , the rate of their heartbeats is a very good indication of the rate at which they live their lives . Each animal breathes about once every 3.9 heartbeats , and other bodily functions are similarly linked to the rate of the heart .
Idiom: give and take (used idiomatically: no)
Unemployment the key issue Sir , — As one of the many people who have appreciated and valued the past work of South West Surrey MP Virginia Bottomley , I am delighted to learn that her efforts have been justly rewarded by the Prime Minister . However , I was disappointed at the reply she gave to my questions at a public open meeting held on April 7th , when I suggested that following many and varied discussions in different regions of the country , there was extreme concern in the non-action by the government in the matter of the vast difference in the value of imports from different countries , in particular Japan , as against the value of the imports they take from this country . In so far as Japan was concerned , it was apparent that all profits made from their ‘ British ’ made products went back to Japan to boost their economy and to further their influence into the European markets . The reply given by Mrs. Bottomley centred around trade barriers not being acceptable and the answer appeared to me to contradict the action taken by America where President Bush has stated that Japanese imports are to be restricted .
Idiom: down in the dumps (used idiomatically: yes)
He thinks , and said well no Well no . so , he said that she 's feeling a bit down in the dumps and quite moody . Well , you see the you say they are but that does n't mean anything . I mean
Idiom: bear in mind (used idiomatically: yes)
Resignation as auditor I am a sole practitioner and have been asked to stand down and make way as auditor of a limited company for a larger outfit , following a JMU visit . I can not find any specimen letters of formal resignation nor indeed any articles on the matter setting out considerations to be borne in mind . I have waded through copies of ACCOUNTANCY since 1985 . Any guidance you can give would be appreciated .
Idiom: straight from the horse's mouth (used idiomatically: no)
It is difficult at first encounter to appreciate how great a step has been taken in adopting this principle . Perhaps another example will help . I learnt my quantum mechanics , so to speak , straight from the horse 's mouth . I mean that I attended the lectures given at Cambridge by Dirac . They were based on his book The Principles of Quantum Mechanics , one of the intellectual classics of this century .
Idiom: make tracks (used idiomatically: no)
Block 41/24 was awarded during the 12th round of offshore licensing in May 1991 , Licence interests are held by Conoco [ operator ] , LASMO and Aran Energy . Party enjoys taste of the high life Members of the LASMO exploration department in Yemen made tracks for the highest spot for miles around in order to celebrate a highspot in the local social calendar . They trekked into the mountainous countryside in Southern Arabia for what turned out to be a memorable day . This year 's event was organised by Australian operations geophysicist Brett Kelsall and his wife , Di .
Idiom: close to home (used idiomatically: yes)
Buchan people take care of their own . Halket 's famous contemporary , Lord Pitsligo , who commanded a regiment at the Battle of Culloden , also benefited from deeply ingrained Buchan loyalties . After the disaster , Pitsligo spent many years in hiding , close to his old Buchan home . Although local people must have known his hiding place , he was never betrayed . Pitsligo died there in 1767 , head , much to his surprise , still firmly attached to his unrepentant shoulders .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
We thought that was Oh God ! really out of order . But , and then he , he 's like , we left him on the sofa and said oh Mark we 'll be back in a minute , like , turned all the lights off hoping he 'll like pass out you could just hear him like laughing to himself for another like twenty minutes and we 're Oh God !
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
that 's what my brother wants it 's father 's day mm come to think of it I do n't think I bought me dad one for father 's day yes you did got him a card and a pair of socks did we ?
Idiom: the rest is history (used idiomatically: yes)
HOTEL PASTIS Peter Mayle £ 14.99 ( Hamish Hamilton ) THIS is the book which Peter Mayle planned to write when he went to live in France . But then he started scribbling away at A Year in Provence and the rest is history . In a way this novel is A Year in Provence fictionalised . It is about a man who gets fed up with the New York rat race and forsakes advertising to buy a Gendamerie in Provence .
Idiom: marching orders (used idiomatically: no)
Leigh 16 , Wigan 36 GREAT BRITAIN star Phil Clarke was sent off as ton - up Wigan took their points tally to 114 in five scintillating days . Loose forward Clarke was given his marching orders by Widnes ref Stuart Cummings seven minutes from time for a high tackle on Aussie centre Scott Mahon . That means Clarke will miss the Greenalls Lancashire Cup final in a fortnight , assuming Wigan beat Oldham in tomorrow 's semi - final and he receives more than a one - match ban . Wigan notched seven tries against luckless Leigh , including Australian centre Andrew Farrar 's first touchdowns for the club .
Idiom: send someone packing (used idiomatically: yes)
Hedley Wright ( 85 ) and Ian Graham ( 44 ) had earlier helped Bury to reach 201 for six . St. Margaret 's said goodbye to their 100 per cent record in Division Two , losing by 67 runs at Harwich and Dovercourt , despite opener Ian Booth carrying his bat . The previous day the Saints had sent Copdock packing by eight wickets after Steve Leggett 's spell of 12–5–17–5 . Dave Rusby starred with bat and ball for Felixstowe , but ended on the losing side both days . Rusby returned 15.1–4–39–5 as Felixstowe lost to Mistley by one wicket with five balls unused .
Idiom: lay a finger on (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Afraid ? No , no , my dear ! I 'd have scratched the eyes from her head , countess or no , before she laid a finger on you!’ Hard tried not to giggle with triumph , Elizabeth leaned tremulously on Bridhe 's shoulder , and let the old lady comfort her . From now on , she knew , she could n't set foot wrong .
Idiom: hold the line (used idiomatically: yes)
I found the main control lines and gave them to Esmerelda , showing her how to hold them , and where . I had made loops to go over her wrists , I told her , so that she would n't lose her grip . She struck her hands through the braided nylon , holding one line tight and grasping the posy of bright flowers and the second line with her other hand . I got my part of the control lines together and carried them in a loop round to the kite . Esmerelda jumped up and down and told me to hurry up and make the kite fly .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
Mirror appointed a second merchant bank adviser , Schroder Wagg , at the end of last year to work alongside its existing adviser , Samuel Montagu , which handled its flotation last May. Both banks have their own lawyers , while Mirror Group also retains a firm . Ernst & Young is acting as investigating accoutants for the merchant bank and , for the time being at least , Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte , continues as the company 's accountants . Mirror directors are understood to be deeply concerned about the mounting costs as the company continues to work on its 1991 results figures and a report on on its financial health , now expected later this month . The £ 12 m , which continues to rise , compares with the £ 17½m paid by the company in expenses when it raised £ 250 m in its stock market flotation last year .
Idiom: toe the line (used idiomatically: yes)
( 148 ) If it were not for an old professor who made me read the classics I would have been stymied . ( BUC N18 0050 7 ) ( 149 ) How could he exert authority over them — make them toe the line , as he had to — if he knuckled under … ( BUC N09 1330 2 ) ( 150) … the teacher probably would make him stand face - to - wall in a corner instead of stay in after school .
Idiom: take root (used idiomatically: yes)
Unrest set off by silencing of cleric . By Ian Traynor in Budapest THE seeds of popular revolt that appear to be taking root across Romania were sown last Thursday in the north - western town of Timisoara when President Nicolae Ceausescu 's security forces moved to evict the Protestant pastor , Laszlo Tokes , who has long been a thorn in the side of the regime . Under a court ruling , Pastor Tokes was to be shifted east after pressure was put on church elders who acceded to the regime 's order to move the troublesome clergyman away from the town . When the security forces sought to empty the pastor 's house of its possessions , a human chain of several dozen formed around the house , setting in train a flood of protest that was to escalate into what appears to have been a massacre on Sunday .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
But no , he decided , the boss was getting colder and colder and his voice quieter . A bad sign for Salter , although he did not seem to know it . ‘ You stepped out of line asking Henley to do your work for you . She was off duty and should have said no.’ Chief Inspector Chips Salter was an angry man .
Idiom: all and sundry (used idiomatically: yes)
By Jeremy Allerton in The Parks Durham ( 286–2 dec ) drew with Oxford University ( 105–2 ) THIS match assumed merely academic interest yesterday , after only two hours’ play on the first day and none on the second . This was disappointing for all and sundry , except for the Durham players , who achieved records by virtue of their newly - acquired first - class status . Pride of place went to John Glendenen , who scored 117 off 171 balls , including 17 fours and a six , just beating Paul Parker to his century . Glendenen is a positive and powerful striker of the ball who will prosper even more on firmer and quicker wickets .
Idiom: in the can (used idiomatically: yes)
What is truly remarkable , though , was the speed at which the episodes were turned out . At 8.30 pm on most Fridays of the year recording began on a new episode . By 9.45 pm , 10.00 pm at the very latest , a full episode was in the can , complete with its opening and closing title graphics , all the incidental music , all optical and mechanical effect sequences , even the strange and weird electronic voices of such monsters as the Daleks and the Mechonoids . For Christopher Barry , involvement with the first Dalek story began some months earlier , on a day referred to as Director Joining Date . By then it was expected a set of scripts for that show would be available in rehearsal form for the Director to peruse , assess and add his contribution .
Idiom: with open arms (used idiomatically: yes)
With all the information locked inside his head?’ ‘ It would have been unthinkable not so long ago,’ Tweed agreed . ‘ But they 'll welcome him with open arms , bringing them medical aid . He 'll make sure they do . And on top of everything else he 's a brilliant linguist .
Idiom: under a cloud (used idiomatically: yes)
There can be little justification in the pursuit of a child care policy which relegates the residential care of children and young people to second best and a last resort . Nor can it be concluded that this state of affairs is anything other than unfair to residential workers and the institutions they serve in order to help young people . Not only must they care for distressed and disturbed young people , but they must do so under a cloud . The compulsory nature of residential admissions Packman et al .
Idiom: take the mickey (used idiomatically: yes)
But I really was n't fit . Agony One of the bigger problems was that Fergie believed I was taking the mickey out of him by either cheating or going soft and feigning injury . And I was missing too many games complaining of a bad knee when there was nothing really wrong with it . I honestly believe that 's what he thought .
Idiom: be my guest (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I shall try to , sir . But you should n't have done it.’ ‘ What are my guests doing , Jane?’ ‘ Discussing the gipsy , I imagine . Oh , and did you know that a stranger has arrived to see you?’
Idiom: have a ball (used idiomatically: no)
Speaking of Deano — everyone I talked felt that as we had paid £2.7 million for a centre forward would n't it be nice if hung around near the goal or in the box for that matter instead of running all over the show and when we finally get the ball in the box there 's nobody there . I can see why he 's not scored so often this year and why we 're now being linked with Ferdinand . I personally think the linesman on the dugout side of the pitch had the best touch of the ball in the first half . A long clearance from one the Leeds defenders found it 's way into the Crewe half where upon rolling out into touch the linesman controlled it neatly with his left and passed it back to the returning Crewe player with a neat right foot pass . Yes that 's all very nice but Deano ai n't gon na score from 10 yards let alone 30 — the shots looked nice but he should be closer to goal .
Idiom: round the bend (used idiomatically: yes)
You 're nearly out on your feet , are n't you ? ' There was a note in his deep voice that sounded almost like self - reproach , but Robbie was in no state to appreciate it . As they rounded another bend she saw the lighted windows of the Swan Inn , relief swept through her . She was bone - weary , but she would be all right , she assured herself , once she 'd had a sit down and something to eat . The inn was old and quaint , typical of such hostelries , and had probably existed when the canals were in their heyday as a means of transport and communication .
Idiom: out of the box (used idiomatically: yes)
Now the idea and collect a piece of treasure , a ball bearing . From . Or or out of the reject box . Yes yeah yeah Yes . I think we could probably find plenty of them .
Idiom: make a meal of (used idiomatically: yes)
The television was on although it was morning and Lee was half - watching through the kitchen hatch . A bright , positive girl was interviewing a vacuous - looking man on whose show a member of the public had recently been killed by a stuntsman 's cage falling on him . The press had made a meal of it , the show had been scrapped and the minor celebrity had been left unemployed , presumably at fault , and still entertainingly glowing . ‘ A chance in a million,’ he was saying and Lee could not help but agree with him . She was always surprised that things did n't fall on her from the sky more often , considering how much was up there these days .
Idiom: in the can (used idiomatically: no)
It was n't always available like it is now . It was pharmaceutical as well , so there was no problem of having all this muck mixed in with it like there is now . But , in 1984 , 1 had one of these crash courses of methadone , 14 days , which was just a piss in the can . It was absolutely useless . It was no good for me .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: yes)
' Yes , I do . And it would give us a whole new time perspective , would n't it ? You know , with the best will in the world , Max will never give us too much help if he thinks he ca n't . Quite right , too . He 's a scientist .
Idiom: tread on someone's toes (used idiomatically: yes)
Her rapid rise to the top is well deserved and she does not suffer from having political labels stuck on her . She does have strong views on women 's role in employment , on child care facilities and on the effect on part - time employment of the Social Chapter . She has a sharp cutting edge and woe betide the Europhile who treads on her toes . I expect her to preside over the abolition of wages councils and to be strong on industrial training . It is however the arrival of Michael Heseltine at the DTI that will flutter the dovecotes most of all .
Idiom: on the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
In example a ) it is much easier for the customer to move directly to the checkout and exit , without making additional purchases . The idea behind self - service shopping is that goods can ‘ sell themselves’ , and it is usually very successful . We all buy goods on impulse sometimes — simply because we saw them on the shelf of the shop . Next time you go to a supermarket , see if you 've collected any extra items in your basket or trolley by the time you reach the checkout . How good was the customer flow system in that store ?
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
The infection happens when the body 's primary defence , which is its unbroken skin , fails . In the days before antibiotics , it occasionally led to septicaemia and even death . Usually , however , the painful lump comes to a head , and there is relief when the pus bursts out , carrying with it what is left of the invading bacteria . The temporarily distorted skin then heals , and little is left to show of the battle . This normal physiological reaction to invasion by foreign organisms is called inflammation .
Idiom: slippery slope (used idiomatically: yes)
Shares in National Express opened with a modest 6p premium at 171p , a sharp disappointment to investors who were hoping they would roar off to around the £2 level . Dealings in the new issue , however , coincided with a lull in the market . A decision by the Germans to leave their interest rates unchanged put the skids under prices in London and the FT-SE 100 was on the slippery slope . It lost another 25-points to close at 2725.6 . Norman Lamont compounded the situation by ruling out an early cut in interest rates .
Idiom: anything goes (used idiomatically: yes)
He 'd told her about Valldemosa too , which was why she was taking this route to the north of the island . Chopin had spent a winter there with his illicit mistress George Sand . The local people had stoned her for wearing trousers in the street and Fernando had ruefully added how things had changed since then — now anything went in Majorca . Ruth was fascinated by the charterhouse where Chopin had composed his ‘ Funeral March’ . His piano had a single red rose poignantly lying across the keyboard .