Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: split the difference (used idiomatically: yes)
The tailor measured me at the height of the deluge . He had my old measurements and I apologised for all that I was doing to his calculations . We decided that I would live and split the difference between then and a projected now . I am glad to say that this act of faith has since been amply rewarded and the blazer 's fit is perfect . But I have jumped the gun .
Idiom: in the club (used idiomatically: yes)
HIGH - flier Andy Holmes had his wings clipped when he pranged a £ 15,000 company car . Bosses swapped it for a £ 900 Skoda . They also enrolled him in the Skoda Owners ' Club , complete with badge and sticker . His bosses at Datronech Ltd , Aldershot , Hants , insist that any other computer salesmen who damage their expensive VWs will get the same treatment for a month . Andy , 36 , said : ' I feel a bit self - conscious parking my Skoda . '
Idiom: hold court (used idiomatically: yes)
Elinor felt privileged to be one of his girlfriends for she was aware how little he cared for women and how he would sometimes wince when sitting next to one . Minton became a regular visitor to the Moynihans ' house in Old Church Street . There Elinor held court , dispensing gallons of soup and not a little whisky , playing Frank Sinatra records as she presided over get - togethers , often crazy and hilarious . Partly because she spent much of the day alone in the house painting , she welcomed company in the evenings and would press Rodrigo into more visits to Soho than he wished to make . Though a home - loving person and devoted to their son , John , Elinor needed the ambience of the Gargoyle Club and Wheeler 's in part because their marriage , to be dissolved in 1957 , was already under strain .
Idiom: in the swim (used idiomatically: yes)
Almost immediately I experienced a series of knocks and pulls to the worm rod but nothing concrete to strike at . I was getting rather frustrated abortively striking at these plucks and finding my worm chewed up . thought bream to be the culprits , but could n't be sure because so far I had not seen any prime out in the swim to indicate they were , in fact , present there . Eventually I had a better bite and to my surprise I hauled in a roach of 11b 5 oz . Two more came along in quick succession , 1 lb 7 oz and 1lb-11 , then all activity ceased .
Idiom: in the nick of time (used idiomatically: yes)
Bear Hunt is based on a traditional rhyme . Four children and their father set off on a bear hunt in high spirits , but by the time they 've forded a river , squelched through mud , survived a snowstorm and a wild wood to penetrate the bear 's dark cave , all they are capable of is running home again , with bear in hot pursuit . The final sequence is a familiar bad dream as the family dash in the house and upstairs in the nick of time , only to find they have n't shut the door behind them … But everyone ends up hiding under the sheets , not too terrified , and a philosophical bear lollops back along the beach to his cave . I did wish this book were longer , but it 's a perfect short bedtime read which cheers tired eyes and ears .
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
Thus the relatively more immature state of the human neonate , while posing formidable problems for the mother ( formidable problems which only communal hunting as a way of life could begin to solve ) , nevertheless bestowed immense advantages in terms of cerebral development by guaranteeing that human beings were born with progressively larger brains . Further , the retardation of maturity not only preserved a better brain/ body - weight ratio but also extended the period of educability and cognitive development which characterizes primate childhoods . Finally , by postponing sexual maturity by the same token , neotenous trends in human evolution ensured that young males stayed as long as possible under the protection of the parental group before being ejected and having to begin to fend for themselves . Such a tendency probably favoured individual survival , particularly in a situation in which hunting — a skill which has to be learned — was coming to be the dominant subsistence activity . Such considerations were probably crucial before initiation ritual developed to deal with the conflicts between sons and fathers ; but even after such conflicts had become institutionalized and ritualized neoteny had an important role to play in postponing the age of initiation by opening up that gap in human psycho - sexual development which Freud called the latency period and which , as we shall see , is an important factor in considering the social and mental health of modern societies .
Idiom: on the ball (used idiomatically: no)
CHARLTON : Like a rooster SOUNESS : Trouble - shooter On the ball RICHIE Woodhall , who defends his Commonwealth middleweight title against John Ashton in Telford tomorrow , plans a spring challenge for the European title at the Hawthorns . Woodhall , whose great grandfather George scored the winning goal for West Bromwich in the 1888 FA Cup final , has been adopted by the club .
Idiom: and then some (used idiomatically: yes)
She had one or two questions she wanted to ask him before they went anywhere . She took a calming breath and turned , and was put off her stroke for a moment when she saw his glance flicking over her slim and erect carriage , taking in the elegant and attractive navy - trimmed white outfit she wore . He was dressed more casually , and , just as he looked good — and then some — in a business suit , Leith realised that to some women his tall , casually clad self was quite something more . ‘ I 've got an overnight bag packed , but before we go —’ she took a hold on herself to begin , then found that he had something he wanted to say too — and that he did n't mind cutting across what she was saying , to say it . ‘ What did you tell Travis?’ he sliced in apropos of nothing .
Idiom: take the plunge (used idiomatically: yes)
But what does all this mean for ordinary users ? In next month 's Buyer 's Guide I 'll be looking at the pros and cons of third party maintenance contracts and insurance for your PC . Until then , our Buying With Confidence section on page 34 explains how to protect yourself when you take the plunge . ANTI - VIRUS SOFTWARE GERM Warfare
Idiom: clear the decks (used idiomatically: yes)
Another shock I 've had today . Three of you came in Friday either . No I 'm trying to clear the decks before christmas . Oh . Three weeks hence .
Idiom: off the hook (used idiomatically: no)
‘ No wonder she fell off . She certainly looked and acted odd beforehand . It lets young Pardy off the hook , I suppose . We can still charge him with reckless behaviour . But the reason she fell so easily and so heavily would seem to be that she was light - headed from a mixture of drink and pills .
Idiom: raise the roof (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's one of the busiest nightspots in the Mediterranean and the streets are simply crowded from dusk onwards with young people going about the serious business of enjoying themselves , socialising , trying the local brew , ‘ discovating’ and generally having a good time until the early hours of the morning ! In fact Benitses has always been a rocking resort , and over the past couple of years has become even more exciting . You can choose between a vast selection of bars , all with English or English speaking staff , and take your pick out of the 6 or 7 nightclubs that raise the roof until the small hours . If you are a night owl this really is the place to come to . Daytimes are spent on the beach in town or in one of the adjacent rocky coves .
Idiom: all hell broke loose (used idiomatically: yes)
The renovation project , which lasted for months , cut off this important route between the north and south of Europe . The traffic which had to be diverted because of this stretched the patience of many thousands of people in the EU to the limit . In fact , all hell broke loose in some municipalities in my province . Prevention has to be our answer to disasters of this kind and this draft directive is an important step towards well - trained safety advisers being available , so that the right action is taken in good time . All the same , we must not content ourselves with enacting European law to ensure greater safety .
Idiom: easy on the eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Paula Lockey takes a look at what 's new in kitchens Deep reds , blues and greens may catch our attention when flicking through a kitchen brochure , but few of us actually choose to live with such bold colours . When investing in a new kitchen , most people still go for easy - on - the - eye neutral shades , pure whites and sophisticated greys . Natural wood is always popular , and many companies are responding to this continued demand by introducing new woods like beech , birch and cherry to their ranges . Here we show a selection of the latest kitchen designs .
Idiom: bits and bobs (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah do n't play in the sewing box car boot sale , there 's other bits and bobs I want to get rid of Yeah yeah
Idiom: cold comfort (used idiomatically: yes)
In part two : The Italian Job : New international honour for Hoddle . View from the bridge : English exams get the sponsorship treatment . And cold comfort . Chilling out in the warm - up for the North Pole .
Idiom: good Samaritan (used idiomatically: yes)
And most accidents involve children under the age of 5 . Caring stranger eases the pain AN UNKNOWN good Samaritan has unwittingly helped ease the pain of Joan McDermott . Joan travelled from Scotland with a bag full of gardening tools to tend to her son 's grave . But instead of finding it overgrown with weeds , a pretty posy of artificial flowers stood on the well - groomed plot .
Idiom: save someone's bacon (used idiomatically: yes)
Key words in the rise of The Smiths : LUCK : They wept at me virtually that they were told by Rough Trade , that they were a ' minor Rough Trade ' group . Without boasting , this led to ME going OTT in Sounds in an attempt , that was successful , to change that . That saved Rough Trade 's bacon , as it turned out . FAITH : The enormous faith of their audience , matching that of U2 's audience and , earlier , that which Paul Weller used to trade on . It reveals the desperation of kids to get something from rock .
Idiom: for good measure (used idiomatically: yes)
Within a few days people phoned or called to confirm their attendance . And so the stage was set . A junior with a big interest in meeting people [ according to his Appraisal]was given the task of setting out packs of account opening cards , Special Savings forms and passbooks and a couple of credit card application forms for good measure . He was also given a most coveted job , that of barman , for the night . In fairness to everyone it is impossible to legislate for the vagaries of human nature and the best laid plans can go astray with a single word in the wrong place .
Idiom: bark up the wrong tree (used idiomatically: no)
Cookie searched for something , but our dog literally barked up the wrong tree .
Idiom: bring up the rear (used idiomatically: yes)
Li Yuan stood at the edge of the family tablet , the freshly inscribed name of his father cut into the whiteness there . Behind the young T'ang stood the rest of the Seven , and at their back the generals . Bringing up the rear of this small but powerful gathering stood members of the Li Family : cousins and uncles , wives , concubines and close relations , a hundred in all . The ranks were thin , the weakness of the Family exposed to view , and yet Li Yuan stood proudly , his eyes looking straight ahead , into the darkness of the tomb . ' All the trappings of power , ' said Kustow , shaking his head as if in disapproval .
Idiom: above board (used idiomatically: yes)
Aries ( March 21-April 20 ) A boring time is ahead , so you 'll need to think out some ideas for keeping yourself amused . So long as you keep things above board your schemes will be tolerated , perhaps even appreciated , but do n't over - stretch your imagination as the results could border on the bizarre . Owner 's Tip : Keep your brain ticking over too . Taurus ( April 21-May 21 )
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yow did that on purpose yer cheeky little sod!’ she cried out in surprise . ‘ If yow'd done that ter me I 'd ave wrung yer bloody neck,’ Mrs Phipps chipped in , but Frankie only grinned and dropped the kettle , contents and all , on her foot . That did the trick ! She ran off screaming and hopping down the yard . Frankie picked up the empty kettle and went to refill it but I noticed that none of the onlookers tried to wring his neck while he had the kettle in his hands .
Idiom: on top of the world (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's to remind us that we sweep down from the upper world , slide round the bottom of the circle , and sweep up again , no trouble , if we have any sense . " Our young Tominah friend had disappeared by sunset , and it was well after dark by the time Abu returned , together with Ranteallo , jerking about in the front seat like a clownish version of his own Tau - Tau . They were all grins and seemed to be on top of the world . A stack of empty bamboo Tuak tubes rattled around in the back . " Presents for my wife ! "
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
Its saliva was corrosive , and etched patterns in the pale , dead skin of its supper . Jazzbeaux stretched her fingers and lightly rested them on the butt of her scavved gun . The creature turned its head to look at her with slit - pupilled eyes the size of saucers . It showed its needle - sharp teeth , and flared a furry ruff . It could have leaped .
Idiom: play the field (used idiomatically: yes)
He shrugged . ‘ There 's no love lost . Perhaps because he plays the field . Or perhaps that 's why he goes after the women . Who knows where anything starts?’
Idiom: get stuck in (used idiomatically: yes)
BRAVE Aaron Solomon , seven , had his thumb ripped off in a farm accident and surgeons sewed it back on after it was packed in ice lollies by his uncle . The youngster fell while playing on a haystack at his grandmother 's farm . His thumb got stuck in wire binding used to bail the hay and was torn off . Aaron was taken to hospital by his father , Graham , who could not find the missing digit . Then Aaron 's ice - cool uncle Bob sprang into action .
Idiom: make ends meet (used idiomatically: yes)
Living is where I could go into a shop and say … ‘ I 'd like a pair of shoes , fit them on my bairn and we 'll take them’ . In their different ways , both absolute and relative concepts suggest that the struggle to make ends meet is fought out in and against the routines which sustain health ; in the routines of buying bones from the butcher and not buying new shoes for the children . While it is unlikely that a feminist politics informed their development , these concepts draw attention to routines which , in many households , are deeply gendered . In most households , it is the culturally defined role of women which includes responsibility for family and individual welfare .
Idiom: bear in mind (used idiomatically: yes)
For instance , one hypothesis concerns the role of electromagnetic radiation , a source of which is overhead high - voltage transmission lines as noted earlier . If these are digitized and buffer zones constructed around them ( Fig . 10.3 ) we can quite easily test hypotheses about prevalence in such buffer zones as compared with prevalence outside . However , we should bear in mind the earlier point about the resolution of the data , since such electromagnetic effects have a very weak effect beyond perhaps 50 m ( Wertheimer and Leeper 1982 ) . There has been a suspicion for many years that high rates of stomach cancer in parts of Wales may be linked to soil chemistry , specifically such factors as zinc / copper ratios , and to lead content in water supplies . Matthews ( 1989 ) has used data from the Regional Cancer Registry ( morbidity rather than mortality data ) and data on trace elements to examine this link .
Idiom: split hairs (used idiomatically: yes)
He spread his arms wide in negation . ‘ I do n't laugh —’ ‘ Do n't split hairs!’ she interrupted . ‘ You do laugh , secretly.’ His eyes crinkled up in real amusement once more .
Idiom: on the rocks (used idiomatically: yes)
' They just look dead to me . ' ' Well , I hope they are , ' the man laughed and took his pipe out of his mouth . ' I think the tigress and the lion mounted on artificial rocks are especially fine . It was Doctor Absalom , you know . He started the illuminated Habitat Groups under the arches . '
Idiom: on the rocks (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Oh , no one,’ said Lydia . ‘ Perhaps the ancient fairies are looking after things round here.’ The woman from Ty Fach has found the pictures that I made on the rock , and the little woman with her has looked at them . I lay in the bracken on the side of the hill and watched them . I did not think that anyone would ever see the pictures except the sheep and the swooping ravens .
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: no)
On the contrary , she was staring at me with an almost manic intensity . I thought I had just about run the gamut of sexual experiences , but nothing like this had ever happened to me before . I found it incredibly erotic , and the more Dennis maundered on about boiled sweets on the nose , the more erotic it became . His wife 's head gradually fell back , her mouth open and her eyes still pinned to my face , the whites showing like a frightened horse . Her legs were slightly parted and her toes curled convulsively , as though trying to find some support to relieve her vertiginous predicament .
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: yes)
Merger mania With fewer companies chasing bigger chunks of business , merger mania has broken out . The ownership of all three of Chrysler 's carpet suppliers , for instance , changed hands within one year . Carmakers view this as a mixed blessing . In some take - overs suppliers get stronger by acquiring skills or technology they did not have .
Idiom: mark time (used idiomatically: yes)
It is unusual to have two erm 's in immediate succession — I 've been trying to find that — erm — erm — and to have three is very strange : I 've been trying to find that — erm — erm — erm —. One is beginning to sound like Big Ben . There is very little else we can do to mark time , apart from invent an idiosyncratic hesitation noise — which is not uncommon , incidentally . One speaker on my tapes used an inter - labial lingual trill as an extra hesitation noise . Another added a series of syllables which sounded like yumyumyum to help him over the blocks .
Idiom: play with fire (used idiomatically: no)
Neil Bennet , B B C News . In the United States , the Attorney General has said that unless the American television industry substantially reduces violent programming over the next year , the government may have to intervene . The warning follows a string of incidents including one in which a five years old child burned down the family home , killing his sister , after watching cartoon characters playing with fire . It might seem idiotic but a scene from a recently released Hollywood film about American football , the programme , depicts young players testing their bravery by lying in the middle of a busy road as the traffic drives by . After watching the film , one eighteen year old in Pennsylvania was killed and a friend critically injured repeating the stunt .
Idiom: pop the question (used idiomatically: yes)
She had faults in her personality , her hair was n't blonde , she was a copper top , her figure was n't amazing either . But it was something about her , something that made it work between them . He had been seeing her for over a year now and yesterday she popped the big question . But he was scared . In a way he liked his safe , comfortable lifestyle .
Idiom: take something as read (used idiomatically: yes)
The County Council therefore Chairman recommends its employment land proposal to the panel . Can I say Chairman that erm my colleague erm Mr Potter i is our technical resident technical expert and er I 'm sure he 'll be happy to er to take on board any of the particular queries on the methodology that 's been adopted . Mr Williamson , were you proposing to briefly outline the methodology or w shall we take it as read ? Well er I was n't Chairman , er Mr Potter I think is Yes .
Idiom: catch a cold (used idiomatically: yes)
There was no stopping her now . Sam saw what Biff Thacker meant about ‘ Causes’ . She 'd caught another one there on the spot , quicker than you 'd catch a cold . ‘ Does n't it disgust you to be lying around at home while your child works herself into an early grave?’ She d certainly changed her tune from the other day .
Idiom: nine times out of ten (used idiomatically: yes)
I mean if they especially if they want you to do in the , the championship 's , they , you got the league and then they play er , a knock out competition do n't they ? Yeah Yeah , we er , we won the , the losers trophy twice , we got first round trophy , got knocked out the first round to go to that , me , half , half the decent teams were knocked out in the first round , you know , we were , we were playing sort of , that , that was , nine times out of ten that was the real cup , I mean we , we were up against the league champions once Where you ? thrashed them out of sight , could n't fucking believe it , when you 've seen a pool table , erm , pool game go on for two hours , that 's when you know you
Idiom: place in the sun (used idiomatically: yes)
Still to come on Central News . Driving down under : Britain 's solar powered car takes its place in the sun . And the love chicks : the passion that left a whole family orphaned . Thames Valley police officers have been telling the Home Secretary Kenneth Clarke they need more people and resources to do the job .
Idiom: in the soup (used idiomatically: yes)
Red lentil dhal is a popular side dish for Indian meals , being rather bland and having the effect of cooling the heat of the curry . Split peas are either yellow or green ; the green variety is more difficult to find but has a fuller flavour than the yellow and is therefore worth looking out for . Both types are good in soups and for thickening casseroles . Chick peas have a deliciously nutty flavour and are excellent for vegetarian casseroles and salads , as well as being the basis for hummus , a very popular Mediterranean dip . For bean cuisine there are many varieties , differing in shape and colour , but only very slightly in flavour .
Idiom: two a penny (used idiomatically: yes)
We got sweets , ice - cream and chocolates too . At this juncture I have an experience to relate , perhaps one which ought to be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records . At the Carnival , 1925 , when I was 10 , Sam had first bought us large ice - creams and had decided , before going into the circus , to take the three of us to the menageries ( at an extra cost of two pence , if I remember right ) . Well , all went well . Jerry and Anna stood watching the swaying elephants in complete fascination , and Sam took me by the hand across to the cage of a huge lion .
Idiom: poor little rich girl (used idiomatically: yes)
I was wondering when we would get round to that . What about the rest of it ? The poor little rich girl who got into the FBI through her father 's influence and who would now be married to some rich Miami socialite had it not been for the timely intervention of Colonel Philpott , who was pressed into giving her a job with UNACO . You should try playing another track , Mike , that one 's already beginning to stick.’ ‘ The truth hurts.’