Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: in the offing (used idiomatically: yes)
Review by David Mead . I first ran across the new range of Eggle guitars at this year 's Northern Music Show and was stunned by the beautiful , figured tops and obvious quality of workmanship . In the subsequent show report , I proclaimed that it was love at first sight and when I heard that a new model was in the offing which would , the company told me , prove to be their most eye - catching to date , I pestered them for weeks until they sent me one for review . When we received this guitar it was just one week old . The Legend started life as a collaboration between Patrick Eggle and Jim Sullivan , hence the ‘ JS’ part of the guitar 's name .
Idiom: stand the test of time (used idiomatically: yes)
Polyester fibres are treated in various ways to produce fillings which can trap a great deal of air . They are bulkier and heavier than down , and do n't compress as well . Because they have n't been on the market for long , it 's not possible to say how well they 'll stand the test of time . The synthetics are cheaper than down however and will provide some insulation even when wet . Most synthetic bags are made using two layer construction with offset stitching ( see illustration ) to prevent cold spots .
Idiom: crystal clear (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yes . It 's utterly maddening . Some things are crystal - clear , yet the rest keep lurking in the fog . By the way,’ she added , ‘ what time would you like dinner?’ Penry Vaughan turned back to his work dismissively .
Idiom: horses for courses (used idiomatically: no)
So there you have it : fish and chips were a West Country invention . BILL WEST Exeter , Devon Leading Article : Horses for courses FOR THE thoughtful punter , with cash in hand , at least two openings present themselves this morning — the Grand National and next week 's General Election . Weighing his chances , the punter will naturally examine respective odds .
Idiom: go hand in hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Such vague propositions need to rest on some testable factual basis . In England , literacy and educational level increase , church attendance and Communion figures fall markedly at the end of the century ( Woods 1987 ) . Throughout Europe , the rise of divorce from negligible levels and the doubling of suicide rates from 1875 to 1914 suggest that fertility decline goes hand in hand with other radical changes in attitudes and behaviour . Cultural and religious contrasts Cultural and linguistic boundaries seem to be important in accounting for regional differences in the onset of fertility decline in different parts of Europe ( Lesthaeghe 1983 ) .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
The reformers claim to have the biggest tele - conference system in Japan : 30 people can speak to each other , and another 300 can listen . This gives regional activists the chance to confer with colleagues in other areas ; two - way calls would mean they spoke mostly to head office . Mr Kondo hopes tele - conferencing will foster self - confidence in the rank and file , whose deference stifles debate in mainstream Japanese politics . The Reform of Heisei also holds policy discussions by computer . Members are invited to log on to their computers and call up the Heisei menu .
Idiom: draw a blank (used idiomatically: yes)
His own mood was blackening with each day that passed . It was a week now since Clarion Call had vanished and , despite backup from Roquelaure , he had failed to make any progress in tracing the whereabouts of the directors of Spidex International Trading . Every vague lead had drawn a blank . Until he had a breakthrough , Nadirpur would have to remain in hiding — and Tom Wilmot 's wife would have sleepless nights not knowing whether her husband were alive or dead . Not only that , but only the same breakthrough could bring about Philippe Chaumont 's release now .
Idiom: go all the way (used idiomatically: no)
And then of course onto the boat . A a And what I I might tell you , I 've never been sea sick only once , and that was after I think eating pork pies . Well I went all the way through went through to itself . Just before get L Lord Kinl Kitchener got torpedoed . We was in in er the end part of n about end of November in nineteen fifteen .
Idiom: cut corners (used idiomatically: yes)
Well I think until we know the full facts , it 's difficult to actually blame anybody , er for this , this particular incident . But there has been a lot of concern about the privatised er security contract at St Helier , er the way it was subcontracted by the original contractor , er without any member of the Health Authority actually knowing about that ; I certainly did n't know and I was on the Authority at the time . And I think there are a lot of questions that need to be asked — has there been , er have , have corners been cut in order to keep the cost down , were we getting a good quality service or just a cheap service ? What are the implications from this incident for security at other hospitals ? Well what I 'm hoping now is that er following this absolutely tragic incident , that er there will be a general er review of hospital security .
Idiom: first up (used idiomatically: no)
For tickets ( minimum donation a tenner ) and more info dial 071 837 8727 WITH Arrested Development now top of the pops through ' People Everyday ' , get ready for the spin - off projects . First up , an album from Dionne Farris , the storming vocalist on the ' Tennesse ' single MR LYSONS of 21 Norton Rd , Rochdale , is a man with a mission — why else would he publish a fanzine dedicated to the works of that erstwhile Genesis mixer and general eminent musical mastermind — Jonathan King . Curiously titled Streets Of People , you have to admire this fellow 's genuine adulation of such an ' all - round media personality ' as JK .
Idiom: twist the knife (used idiomatically: no)
Irene twisted her hands together . ‘ Then , when I came out — and I must have looked dreadful — there she still was , the baby in one arm , scribbling madly on a sheet of paper with the other . I went to sit by her , I do n't know why , because seeing that baby was twisting the knife tighter , but I did , and she put her arm around me while I told her.’ ‘ I never knew it was like that,’ murmured Juliet . ‘ She was so very young , yet she seemed to understand what it could be like , being denied the one thing you wanted .
Idiom: fair and square (used idiomatically: yes)
Now that I 'd drawn the incident out from my unconscious , in much the same manner as Doctor Keylock or any of the so - called psychotherapists might have done , now that I 'd faced it , admitted it to myself , thought it all through without holding back from any of the horror of what happened that sunny afternoon seven years ago , I could see that , whoever 's fault the accident might have been , it certainly was n't mine . So that should be the end of it , I thought , full stop . If — and it was a megalithic if , but I supposed we should consider every possible option now we were at it — if , in some weird way the Ghost and her voice really did exist , then as soon as she 'd got over her disappointment , she would have to admit she 'd been defeated fair and square , and would just have to honour the deal and flit off back to heaven or wherever it was she lived now . Whatever the truth of the matter might be , I felt more than justified in assuming that , by the same time tomorrow , I would be able to both see and smell — above all , smell — a real change in the relics . The turning to dust , and the eternal silence …
Idiom: serve someone right (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ If she had n't been screaming all that nonsense at the top of her voice , it would never have happened . I just hope she gets arrested herself for wasting police time . It 'd serve her right!’ The final words were pronounced in ringing tones as they arrived back in the hall , where Officer Hassan and Dieter were just emerging from the salon . Rose rushed at Dieter and made a grab at his wrist , as if fearing to find handcuffs dangling from it .
Idiom: by and large (used idiomatically: yes)
Do you mean somebody who owned a er some kind of vehicle , tradesmen some of the tradesmen did but not many that I can remember , no I do n't think there was too many of them . Would private individuals have their own transport ? No no no no there was nobody , now er probably up at the top of Gallway there though one or two would have er stables I should think , one or two of those houses , but by and large no I should n't think so . Do you know it ? Er
Idiom: up a tree (used idiomatically: yes)
' Come on ! They 're good apples . ' The next minute I was up the tree with him . But Will was wrong . Farmer Nash was n't at the market , and a few minutes later we saw his angry red face above the wall on the far side of the field .
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
In Have I Got News For You he showed himself to be quick , witty and well able to take jokes levelled against himself . If only Kinnock had been able to show us this side of himself when he was still Leader of the Labour Party , the election might have had a very different result . Come to think of it , if Major had revealed the side of himself we 're now seeing , the result would also have been different . Now there 's a man who has given the term ' comedian ' a whole new meaning . Bad deal on the face of it
Idiom: drop a hint (used idiomatically: yes)
This is the stuff of the typical three - volume Victorian novel , in which the Reading of the Will is always a magnificent set piece . In those good old days , people went out in style , using their wills as instruments of revenge . Novels may have changed , but dropping hints about your will remains a sure - fire way to annoy your nearest and dearest . For my late grandmother , this was nothing more than an amusing game . Once she had accepted that she could not be buried in King Tut 's pyramid with her possessions heaped around her , she positively relished broadcasting who was to get what ' after I 'm gone ' .
Idiom: hands down (used idiomatically: yes)
With my help , he makes his way up the steep stairwell to the bedroom , though the covers are slacken to him and he has no hope of getting beneath them . He regains his strength when I sit upon the bed beside him ; he reaches for me , he kisses me violently . I recoil at the strength of his putrid breath and yank myself away , but he grabs my waist and throws me upon the bed , pinning my hands down and forcing himself on top of me . Queasy from 40ml and smack and so much wine , his stench makes me want to vomit . I spit in his face .
Idiom: shrinking violet (used idiomatically: yes)
Oh yes , oh yes . Yes . Not a shrinking violet at all ! Well , so what have you found out about this man . I mean , what 's he like ?
Idiom: grind to a halt (used idiomatically: yes)
She definitely was n't in the mood for a play about star - crossed lovers ! Tourists still thronged through Stratford , although not in such overwhelming numbers as in the spring and summer . Julius growled under his breath as the traffic almost ground to a halt . Jessamy looked happily out of the window , though . ‘ Cars , people , traffic fumes — lovely,’ she said wistfully .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
The occupational therapist might provide such items as a commode , blocks to raise the height of the bed , a suitable chair and possibly a wheelchair . The occupational therapist 's role usually includes advising on suitable types of clothing for the patient , partly to make dressing simple and practical , and also so that the clothing chosen is helpful in the process through which the patient relearns to dress himself . The community occupational therapist also assesses whether the patient has any perceptual problems , such as an inability to recognize left and right , or total lack of awareness of the affected side of his body . These difficulties have to be explained to the carer , as they can be hard to understand . The occupational therapist plans suitable activities through which the carer can help the patient to overcome these perceptual problems .
Idiom: in the bag (used idiomatically: yes)
That was an amazing number of drips . But how many people actually wore them ? When it came to the crunch , wear it and look stupid or get wet and keep your dignity , how many thousands stayed tightly rolled in school bag , shopping bag and haversack ? True , we are promised a new - look , Pakamac in name only . No longer plastic , but high - tech nylon .
Idiom: go overboard (used idiomatically: yes)
Though it did n't leave any physical signs , ‘ it did untold damage,’ says Homer . But who carries out this type of abuse ? Homer does not go overboard for the stereotype of the well - meaning , but stressed carer who may snap once or twice out of exasperation . A study she conducted in 1990 showed it was not this simple . Family relationships are more complicated and involve patterns which have become an intrinsic part of the relationship .
Idiom: pull a face (used idiomatically: yes)
' I feel sorry for hir . ' Quincx had insisted on telling both of them the details of Zambia 's difficulties , despite protests from Tammuz , feeling both women needed to be given a reason for the delay in Ari 's treatment . ' You would n't say that if you 'd seen the old Zambia in action , ' Leila said , pulling a sour face . ' Save your pity . Think about yourself . '
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
The bottle was full of dry crystals about as thick as an ordinary pin and about a centimetre long . Manipulating these crystals by hand with the dissecting tools which biologists use it was quite obvious that their strength was negligible . I then dissolved some of the hydroquinone crystals in water , put a drop of the solution on an ordinary glass microscope slide and allowed the water to evaporate naturally in air so that new , but much smaller , needle crystals were produced as the solution dried under the microscope . The new crystals tended to be long , smooth , whip - like filaments , initially so thin that they were hardly visible in the optical microscope . By poking about with a dissecting needle it was obvious that these little threads were very strong , exactly how strong it was difficult to say ( Plate 12 ) .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
ribbons and things it does , but there you are . Oh but it 's they go straight into a the bin Yes , that 's right . to be burned or , I do n't mind so much if it 's recycled I think why do n't we all agree to use recycled paper
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
If communities there are to survive , women are the key players . So the show celebrates them as well as the spectacular clothing they 've inspired . Behind the scenes … chaos … smooth operators … and hairdressers everywhere . The money was raised by bids from the star studded audience , including Prince and Princess Michael of Kent … the theme of the show … Shocking Pink .
Idiom: slip of the tongue (used idiomatically: yes)
Do n't remember that . Long time ago . Slip of the tongue . ' ' Endill 's going to school soon , ' said his mother . His father stood silent and looked distant .
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
He loved scandal and intrigue and made his contribution in low , conspiratorial tones . But he was close about himself : he knew that where two or three are gathered together … what they do n't know , they 'll make up . Drink never loosened his tongue , though it did have an effect on his sizable nose which , like Bardolph 's , was a beacon in the dark . He was slightly deaf and it was only natural that when Jane asked him if he liked Dylan Thomas , he replied : ' Gin and tonic ? Yes — very much indeed ' .
Idiom: by and large (used idiomatically: yes)
It is with these criticisms that we shall deal now . In The Origin , and already as far back as The German Ideology , Marx and Engels followed their contemporaries in believing that the history of mankind usually went through the same sequence of technological improvement . The sequence , by and large , went like this : first gathering of plants and small animals , second fishing , third hunting , fourth pottery , fifth pastoralism , sixth agriculture , seventh metalworking . There are now several elements of this sequence which are clearly unacceptable . First , gathering , hunting , and fishing do not represent clearly different technological stages but always occur together so long as the environment permits the combination .
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
The same is true for humans , he says . An Olympic walker uses more energy than a jogger moving at the same speed , because he is walking at a speed where his muscles would use less energy if they were operating a spring than if moving a pendulum . By the same token , a jogger who runs too slowly would use less energy if he sped up to his instinctive pace . Energetically , the spring is almost the opposite of the pendulum . In animals walking on force plates , there is a steady exchange of kinetic and gravitational energies .
Idiom: life and limb (used idiomatically: yes)
I did understand however that my oath to preserve the constitution to the best of my ability imposed upon me the duty of that nation of which the constitution is the organic law . Was it possible rhetorical question was it possible to lose the nation and yet preserve the constitution ? Now here we move in to a bit of Plato always be aware of those who argue by analogy by general law life and limb must be protected yet often a limb must be amputated to save a life can you guess what 's coming next?but a life is never wisely given to save a limb . Pretty acute stuff eh ? I felt and this is the bit I like , I , I some I , I used to set this at one point in the examination question and ask people to guess which American president said it I 'll read , I 'll read it to you measures otherwise unconstitutional might become lawful if indispensable to the preservation of the constitution through the preservation of the nation just , I 'll just get the essence of that , measures otherwise unconstitutional might become lawful if indispensable to the preservation of the constitution through the preservation of the nation ninety percent put Richard Nixon er no one put Abraham Lincoln er cos he was one of the good guys right or wrong I assume this ground I could not feel that to the best of my ability I had even tried to preserve the if to save James Buchanan is essentially the Pontius Pilate of American politics he says yes these are very acute problems er and very difficult er and I 'd like to help but I 'm sorry I ca n't and I really do have to go off and wash my hands now erm and , you know , you carry on and when you 've resolved it tell me what you want me to do and I 'll ,
Idiom: get to the bottom of (used idiomatically: yes)
When my Noble Friend was kind enough to say that he looked to me for help as being I think he said an ornament on the front bench , was n't quite certain whether that was supposed to be a compliment or not , but I thought an ornament or something that you that sat upon a er er er er er upon a shelf and looked pretty , but did n't actually do anything . My Lords erm I would only hope that I would be able to do something to my Noble Friend in trying to persuade him that it is n't all that bad erm My Lords I do agree with him though when you I , I think that I 'd be first of all w were to tell him that er not that he would n't be surprised that I thought that his amendment was n't actually necessary , but I do understand his concern , I mean he tries to find his way through the legislation . It is n't always easy for anyone to get to the bottom of every detail of a bill er which refers to earlier legislation and erm er er I 'm sure that my Noble Friend would sympathise anyhow erm er er w with with me insofar as I also do not have the advantage of er legal qualifications which he manages to make up for most adequately . My Lords , erm i legislation is complex and I agree that we should do what we can to keep a clear er , er to keep it clear and simple if it 's at all possible and erm er I agree though that one needs a fully up - to - date text of the nineteen sixty four Police Act in order to decipher every last dot and comma . My Lords , erm I I I 'm glad t t to know that a text is readily available er I agree with my Noble Friend that if he took the simple course of comparing the Bill with the nineteen sixty four Act as it was printed , he would have run into trouble .
Idiom: on your toes (used idiomatically: yes)
There are relatively simple exercises to build strength . Examples of which most people have heard are press - ups , stomach curls , and leg lifts . With press - ups you lie on your stomach on the floor and , keeping your back straight , you push your body upwards so that your arms are straight and your body is supported on your toes and hands . For stomach curls you lie on your back on the floor , bend your knees upwards slightly ( while keeping your feet on the floor ) , then lift your head and shoulders a few inches off the floor ( do not use your hands or arms to support your weight ) . Hold this position for a few seconds then let your shoulders and head go back slowly to the floor .
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: yes)
' Look here , there 's been a bit of an accident . Could n't be helped . One of those things , I 'm afraid . ' Artemis frowned , but said nothing , wondering what was to come . Her mother had fallen off Capers , that much she knew .
Idiom: on the house (used idiomatically: no)
' But it was the High King Erin who pronounced the spell , ' he said and the cold bitterness was in his voice again . ' He it was who stood in the deepest Sorcery Chamber of tara and read from the Book of the Academy of Necromancers the incantation . For that , ' said the Robemaker , viciously , ' I am sworn to inflict every curse and every torment I may summon on his House . That is why I joined with the Master CuRoi in his quest to possess Ireland . That is why I stooped to traffic with the Man - greedy Frost Giantess , and why I intrigued with her to drive out the Gruagach and why I helped the Gruagach to vanquish the High King and take Tara . '
Idiom: on the rocks (used idiomatically: yes)
' I was n't talking about the weather , ' Polly began . ' Listen to me , ' he interrupted harshly . ' If I do n't get Seawitch moved we could well end up as wreckage on those rocks . ' Grasping her shoulders , he moved her aside to open the doors . His hands were cold , his touch impersonal .
Idiom: lay odds (used idiomatically: yes)
Having been almost born there on skis , she is not the most objective judge . I have a pretty good idea what Charlotte 's just - a - handful of also ran last - among - equals might be , although the press release does not name them for fear of diminishing the glory of Verbier 's triumph . I 'd lay odds Zermatt is one of them . One could argue it 's no good for beginners and , God , the walking — getting to the lift in the morning qualifies as ski touring . But then one could say same of Verbier and she has not ruled that out .
Idiom: beg the question (used idiomatically: yes)
As the actress said to the bishop . Exactly , I was just thinking the same thing . Well that 's the sort of composition which immediately begs the question where do these salts come from and where do they go to ? So sources and sinks of salts . What do you think the most obvious source is ?
Idiom: strike a chord (used idiomatically: yes)
Diving for pearls in the South Seas . Following in the steps of Marco Polo.’ His words struck a chord , making her turn away . She had always wanted to see the Spice Islands . To visit Java and Tonga , and Tahiti .