Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
The Minister of the Interior , Huynh Thuc Khang , was non - party . He was placed in overall charge when Ho went to negotiate in France . Leclerc supported the move to negotiate ; d'Argenlieu was hostile , but the new Colonial Minister , Marius Moutet , was ( for the time being ) persuaded . It was a near thing . French warships approached Haiphong on 6 March , and despite the agreement were fired on by Chinese batteries .
Idiom: up a tree (used idiomatically: no)
The attack is a low - level one , the hooked talons thrown forward at the last moment to seize the fish , the forward speed of the eagle pulling the catch from the water . The white - bellied sea eagle 's breeding season at Gol - Oya starts with the end of the monsoon in February and March . The nests are often built 50 ft ( 15 m ) up the tallest trees and are used year after year . The untidy pile of sticks is repaired and added to . When there are young in the nest — the clutch is usually two — the eagles have to catch fish at least twice a day .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
Until then MacDonald must withhold his resignation . Next morning at 10 o'clock , when MacDonald , Baldwin and Samuel assembled in the Indian Room of the palace , the Prime Minister repeated his by now familiar litany ; indeed , he had the resignation of the entire Cabinet in his pocket . For the third time in twenty - four hours , the King replied that it was out of the question . He told MacDonald that by remaining at his post with such colleagues as were still faithful to him , his position and reputation would be much more enhanced than if he succumbed ; the Prime Minister must come to some arrangement with Baldwin and Samuel to form a National Emergency Government which would restore British credit and the confidence of foreigners . And in his best quarterdeck manner , the King impressed on the three party leaders that before they left the palace there should be a communique to end speculation at home and abroad .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
Davies has helped Cardiff to the top of the Heineken League First Division with some commanding displays and deadly goalkicking , and gets his chance in the West Wales line-up owing to Stephens 's knee injury . ‘ It 's a chance to play rather than sit on the replacements bench and I 'm always glad of that , ’ said Davies . ‘ The Welsh outside-half position is still up for grabs , ’ Davies said . ‘ No one has made it his own and that 's why the sleectors have chosen three of us for the training trip to Lanzarote . ‘ I was told I had to play well week-in , week-out in the League to further my chances of getting back into the international side and it has been good to play in a successful side at Cardiff . ’
Idiom: down the drain (used idiomatically: yes)
Where he found the energy — Anyway , this poor child , only nineteen she was ( he should 've been ashamed of himself and him a man of forty)— if she 'd only come to me at the start ! But no , she let him tell her what to do — him that was the cause of it all — and what does he do but fix up for her to go and see this Dr Graham ? Mind you , he paid , I 'll say that for him , but it might just as well have been her — the money was thrown down the drain all the same ! " In spite of myself I was forced to ask,"What do you mean ? Did n't the operation — did n't it work ? "
Idiom: cut no ice (used idiomatically: yes)
Ever since Munich we 've had a cascade of appeasement . Chamberlain 's bit of paper was a washout . It cuts no ice with me.’ ‘ Goodness , what a flood of mixed metaphors!’ Clarissa did n't want to make too much fun of him because she knew he was serious , so she picked up her glass , filled by the waiter from the fresh bottle .
Idiom: behind bars (used idiomatically: no)
Then he returned to his cell to sweep and mop it . He bore it all with bright spirits and was never anything less than an exemplary prisoner . He even posed for the newspaper photographers , insisting only that they refrain from taking behind - the - bars type pictures . ' I want everything as upbeat as possible for the kids ' sake,'he said . He even later posed with the warden .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: yes)
Meanwhile , she set herself to work with renewed determination . It was plain that she must work doubly hard . John 's affairs had been left tidily , with a will leaving his wife everything unconditionally . But when all had been settled , it seemed that Phil could expect a sum of only about six thousand pounds . There was no doubt about it — things were going to be tight if she decided to continue to live at Tullivers .
Idiom: in light of (used idiomatically: yes)
In the intervening years , particularly after the Asian Financial Crisis , the pro - market , anti - intervention Washington Consensus fell out of favor . A “ New ~ Institutional Economics ” ( NIE ) gained ground by filling in the gaps left by mainstream models , which ignored the central importance of institutions in managing the change and uncertainty that affect resource allocation and social choice . Indeed , in light of today ’s Great Recession and the current European debt crisis , the main question remains that of the role of the state in promoting growth and development . It was the collapse of the Soviet bloc ’s planned economies that spurred both free - market hubris and the realization that institutions matter . But it was China ’s ability to sustain rapid economic growth for three decades that necessitated a revisionist look at statist capitalism .
Idiom: cut the crap (used idiomatically: yes)
For Hamill , it 's your fault that you 're a failure , so do n't dare blame anyone else . After all , it 's you that 's black and it 's you that 's gay . Yes , there are times we should cut the crap and get on with the ‘ real’ issues of starvation and disease , but to dismiss all problems of prejudice and inequality as whining self - pity is callous beyond belief . I HAVE APPRECIATED Matthew Fort 's delicious much - more - than - food columns in past issues , but none as much as his informative piece on oysters ( ‘ Dinners with Walruses’ , The Seasoned Cook ) . Oyster fans may also like to know that the oyster is transsexual and self generating , changing sex at will several times within one season .
Idiom: sign on the dotted line (used idiomatically: yes)
At the time , Don Revie was fighting to keep Leeds out of the Third Division . The fee was 25,000 — and Collins ignored the advice of a friend when he signed . He stayed overnight at his friend 's house , en route from Everton to Elland Road , and left with these words ringing in his ears : ‘ Do n't sign on the dotted line . You never know who else might come in.’ It was a Thursday and Collins had to sign by five o'clock to be eligible to play on Saturday .
Idiom: off the mark (used idiomatically: yes)
Never allow greeting kisses on the cheek to gravitate anywhere near your lips ; 3 . Do n't let the conversation get too raunchy — talking about sex in general is all right , but going into details about your own sex life is way off the mark ; 4 . Beware of dangerous situations — take a taxi rather than late - night lifts home , never stay late at work alone with a male colleague , or accept an offer to escort you to the door of your hotel room ;
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
I see the whole chapter as a subtle but misconceived footnote to Crime and Punishment ; in these pages , instead of brushing past Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov in his return upon the underground man , Dostoevsky has allowed himself to be obstructed by them , and the result is a Stavrogin who compounds Raskolnikov 's bracing himself to enter the police station ‘ as a man ’ and confess with Svidrigailov 's reaching out in all directions , including the far extremes of moral and physical debauchery , in the hope that something , it does n't matter what , will make him unbored . After a sleepless night Stavrogin sets forth . Then outside the monastery where Bishop Tikhon lives , ‘ he stopped , hastily and anxiously felt something in his side pocket and — smiled ’ . That is Raskolnikov 's smile . We know it well .
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
It is my opinion that the heavy grade mesh with the narrower width ( 6 inches ) between verticals is by far the best value in the long run although considerably dearer in the first instance . It is difficult to strain until taut , but provides a much stronger fence . By the same token , your posts , strainers and stakes should always be tanalized ( unless you can afford heart of oak ) . Cattle - mesh fencing is suitable for all livestock although on uneven ground it may be wise to add a strand of barbed wire just above the ground to discourage a rooting pig . The Ministry of Agriculture specifications for grant - aided fencing ( available from your local office ) give a clear indication of the materials you need .
Idiom: at a stretch (used idiomatically: no)
He was duly commissioned , despite his total lack of training or aptitude , on 12 June 1759 and , after his unit had been called out in 1760 , served in various parts of the country , though he soon regretted his patriotic impulse and did not enjoy what he called ' my bloodless and inglorious campaigns ' . Though Pitt was always sceptical about the likelihood of an invasion he clearly thought the extra half a million a year it cost to keep the militia under arms was money well spent . The public , unlike Pitt , expected the enemy at least to make the attempt and , with nerves at full stretch , there were the inevitable false alarms . ' This day , ' recorded one diary - keeper in Sussex on 7 July 1759 , with , in the circumstances , admirable sangfroid , ' received by post the disagreeable news of the French being landed at Dover ' — a complete fiction , as it soon appeared . Pitt , however , set a splendid example of calmness , placing his faith in the navy , and sober - minded citizens followed his lead .
Idiom: at your fingertips (used idiomatically: yes)
Approximately one week before departure , we will send you an updated itinerary , incorporating any special requests , together with your travel documents . We greatly look forward to welcoming you to the Craigendarroch Country Estate . AT CRAIGENDARROCH , THE MANY SPLENDOURS OF THE HIGHLANDS ARE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS . ENJOY THE DELICIOUS CUISINE CREATED BY OUR AWARD - WINNING CHEF . THE RIVER DEE — RENOWNED FOR ITS SUPERB FISHING .
Idiom: second childhood (used idiomatically: no)
Words and phrases in common usage , such as‘mutton dressed as lamb’ , ‘ dirty old man’ , ‘ silly old woman’ , ‘ old fogies’ , ‘ old ducks’ , ‘ old biddy’ , ‘ old codger’ , ‘ old dears’ and ‘ old folk’all conjure up images which leave little doubt about the nature and experience of old age . Nor is the impact confined to popular expressions . Roget 's Thesaurus , a classic English text which seeks to arrange words ‘ according to the ideas which they express’ , describes old age by such nouns as ‘ senility , grey hairs , climacteric , declining years , decrepitude , hoary age , caducity , superannuation , second childhood , dotage , decline of life’ and , even more graphically , by the adjectives ‘ senile , run to seed , declining , waning , past one 's prime , grey , hoary , venerable , time - worn , antiquated , doddering , decrepit , superannuated , stricken in years , wrinkled , having one foot in the grave.’ The assumption that old people are rigid , less capable , less willing to adapt to new developments , and unable to change is firmly rooted in modern psychological theory . The father of modern psychology , Sigmund Freud believed ‘ … psychiatry is not possible near or above the age of 50 ; the elasticity of the mental processes on which the treatment depends is as a rule lacking — old people are not educable.’
Idiom: force someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
She wrote to the then Archbishop of Canterbury , Dr Michael Ramsay and , in her own words , issued a challenge to him . She asked him whether he would see the film and ‘ issue a statement about it both to encourage anxious parents and to ensure that the Church was seen to be caring about the matter’ . The reason for approaching the Archbishop in such a manner was essentially to ‘ force his hand’ as , according to Mrs Whitehouse , he had frequently seemed unwilling to become involved in public debates on questions of morals . Having complained on several occasions of the Church 's reticence over taking the moral lead , on this occasion her plea was successful . The Archbishop did issue a statement condemning the film as ‘ diverging from Christian ideas of education’ .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: no)
But of course no one has really been suggesting that history has no meaning , for the obvious reason that any interpretation of history as such must ipso facto assert meaning . What is in dispute is whether history has a meaning as ' History ' . One alternative would be that history may be made up of the multiple meanings of specific , particular histories — without their necessarily being in turn part of a larger meaning of an underlying Idea or force . Anderson 's accusation , which conflates the concept of the differential with the notion of the random , is therefore really directed against the possibility that different histories may have different meanings . But why deny that history can have multiple meanings ?
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
Instead it had different functions . Tradition , the military - style organization inherited from the New Police , was the one imperative for the Panopticon discipline . In the aftermath of the Police Strike , senior officers were doubly concerned to prevent the kind of rank - and - file interaction that might lead to common cause against their superiors . The disciplinary image was presented to a larger audience . ' Peacekeeping ' , that euphemism for controlling the city street , depended in part on fear .
Idiom: take it or leave it (used idiomatically: yes)
The menu at Manze 's , in London 's Tower Bridge Road , by Bermondsey Antiques Market , may not be extensive but at £ 1.20 for one pie , one mash -sloshed with parsley sauce — there is little reason for customers to argue . ‘ Well , there is a choice,’ says Graham Poole , whose grandfather started the shop in 1895 . ‘ They can take it or leave it.’ This is a no - nonsense restaurant full of regulars : a child on Dad 's shoulders ; teenagers in Day - Glo shorts who skateboard away afterwards ; workmen in overalls ; weary shoppers with bulky carrier bags stopping off before getting the bus home . The lunch hour is like a time warp — give or take a few price increases .
Idiom: food for thought (used idiomatically: yes)
Arsenal 0 , Man Utd 1 ERIC CANTONA , not yet a rebel with a cause celebre , cut a solitary figure at the back of the United team bus , nibbling poisson and pommes frites by himself as he digested his new club 's winning performances . Ian Wright also had food for thought as he made a hasty exit from Arsenal 's demoralised dressing room . Frustrate Apart from their capacity to excite and frustrate in equal measure , the pair shared a common bond as they meandered away from Highbury — and both would do well to heed the advice given freely to them .
Idiom: sing the praises of (used idiomatically: no)
Norbank makes a splash in Rotterdam Success on the menu for special caterers FROM LONDON 'S Guildhall to exotic ships , they 're singing the praises of Beeton Rumford . The company 's Special Catering Division has been busy of late , arranging catering at a wide variety of functions including dinner for 400 in the magnificent setting of the Old Library at the Guildhall and two days celebrations abroad a new Geest Line Ship , moored on the Thames , off Greenwich . The Guildhall dinner at the Seatrade Annual Awards for Achievement , whose guest of honour was the Duke of York , was one of the division 's largest formal events .
Idiom: take it easy (used idiomatically: yes)
Conceded The pair partner each other in first two rounds of the Johnnie Walker World Championship in Jamaica , starting today , and Couples conceded : ‘ We have different outlooks on the game . ‘ Nick Faldo is not there to take it easy , but that 's Faldo 's game . He does it better than anybody else and deserves the acclaim.’ Couples practises when he needs to and takes a complete break , normally three weeks , when he considers he has done sufficient to earn one .
Idiom: take the wind out of someone's sails (used idiomatically: yes)
Take a message when anyone calls.’ Joy flooded through me . Every thing was alright , though it rather took the wind out of my sails to know that I would n't get to speak to him after all . I decided to phone him in the evening . But when the time came , I could n't do it .
Idiom: unknown quantity (used idiomatically: yes)
She smiled shyly , then turned away . In a sense , as long as he could convince himself that she was safe , he was glad she was n't coming with them . Whatever it was they were after , it was an unknown quantity , unknown , that is , except for a lethal ferocity . He pulled on his respirator , his mind made up to get back to her as soon as he could , for Nell Anderson was all he cared about now . There it went again .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
‘ No . So long as the Americans are only afraid that we might land on this island , and do n't know we 're already here , they will pay no attention to our activities . If I let you wander off killing people all over the place — ‘ ‘ I was born and bred in Philadelphia — ‘ ‘ Your men were n't , and I 'm sure the Americans would find some way to make even you talk .
Idiom: new blood (used idiomatically: yes)
Bassist Ian was soon roped in and the latest recruit is local lass Meriel from Catterick . ‘ She 's an RAF baby,’ said Chris . ‘ It 's good to get new blood as it gives us more spark.’ Grove mistake A RARE thing happened yesterday .
Idiom: hold water (used idiomatically: yes)
But something is already happening . Beginning this year the water - flow into the park will try to mimic nature . The water managers will push water in or hold water out according to a computer programmed with decades of data about rainfall and drought . Or so it is hoped . Check in the spring with the woodstorks .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
Then she went right under the table , so Karen 's trying not to giggle and I was probably alright , until she kicked me under the table Paul ! This man said to her , this wife , we assume Yes ?
Idiom: buy time (used idiomatically: yes)
THE highest ranking North Korean official to defect to the South yesterday poured scorn on Pyongyang 's decision to open its nuclear facilities to international inspection , saying it was a ruse . ‘ North Koreans are not so stupid that they will let outsiders see their secret installations,’ said former diplomat Ko Young Hwan . On the day that North Korea 's parliament ratified a nuclear safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency , the defector said the Pyongyang government was trying to buy time until it could produce its own nuclear weapons . ‘ North Korea 's ratification of the safeguards agreement is due to the intense pressure from the US and other countries,’ said Ko , in his first interview with a Western newspaper . To force the North Koreans to allow inspection , Washington and Seoul have even hinted at military action against the hardline Communist country .
Idiom: hear things (used idiomatically: yes)
She told me that eagles from there carry a great burden and for some it is hard . ' ' Where is she from ? ' asked Faele . ' It is a site of which I have heard strange things since I came north , ' said Creggan , ' where the eagles are in decline and their powers going . But I do not believe that for I have felt those powers . She came from Callanish '
Idiom: word of mouth (used idiomatically: yes)
INQUIRIES . Inquiries may arise as a natural consequence of conducting business . Satisfied customers may by word - of - mouth create inquiries from ' warm ' prospects . Many companies stimulate inquiries , however , by advertising ( many industrial advertisements use coupon return to stimulate leads ) , direct mail and exhibitions . This source of prospects is an important one and the salesperson should respond promptly .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: yes)
Possibly some men from an ML or maybe the boats ' gunfire did this damage . Within a couple of minutes of going over the destroyer 's port side , Donald Roy 's kilted Scotsmen were attacking the pumphouse 50 yards from the caisson ( ' H ' on diagram p. 41 ) . The gun crews on its roof fled , and the commandos doubled on to the bridge ( ' G ' ) across the Old Entrance lock into the submarine basin , holding this exposed position for half an hour under fire from 20 mm guns on the roof of the submarine pens and other buildings on the west side of the basin . For the demolition parties the days of scheming and planning were over : now they needed steady nerves and physical strength . The five squads aboard Campbeltown had several targets .
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: no)
After a denial from the Barclay brothers and from Charterhouse , the story was dismissed . However , a detailed version appeared in another newspaper yesterday , which cited banking sources in the City . Hectic trading in which 3.1 million shares — worth £ 8million — changed hands was followed by a retreat to 238p when the Barclays vehemently denied that they held any shares in Williams . Mr Nigel Rudd , chairman of Williams , said the company had received categorical assurances from the Barclay brothers that they had no intention of making an offer . The Stock Exchange confirmed it was investigating the rumours and the share price movement .
Idiom: bits and bobs (used idiomatically: yes)
Thank you chairman . Well I wo n't give an opinion whether I agree with the scheme or not , because I would like to see some of the drawings first before I gave a , you know , of an opinion of it , like you know everybody else around this table . But what concerns me greatly again , is we seem to be doing it or the District Council in bits and bobs . Now the District Council have taken a lot of money off this town , over the market stalls now , for a number of years , and I believe if they 're going to do a scheme like this which has been going on now for over eight years , it should be done all in one go . I do n't think you can do a third one year and then try and raise some more money over the next few years and do another third .
Idiom: in a fog (used idiomatically: yes)
Police widow gets £ 260,000 A POLICEMAN 'S widow was awarded £ 260,000 compensation yesterday for the death of her husband 10 years ago . PC Paul Salmon , 28 , died when his Range Rover ploughed up a bank in thick fog as he went to back - up colleagues in a car chase in Southampton . Winchester County Court heard the money would also provide for Cindy Salmon 's children , Christopher , 15 , and 11-year - old Laura . Mr Justice Judge told Mrs Salmon , of Park Gate , Hants : ' I ca n't imagine what the last 10 years must have been like for you waiting for this to be sorted out . '
Idiom: catch a cold (used idiomatically: yes)
The head of Cardiff University 's health psychology research unit revealed yesterday that 400 volunteers had been given cold virus nose drops . While moderate drinkers were just as likely to become infected with the germs , fewer became ill with the symptoms . Fifteen per cent of those who enjoyed a daily drink caught a cold compared to 45 per cent of non - drinkers , he told the British Psychological Society conference in London . Dr Smith carried out the project , funded by the American government , at the common cold research unit near Salisbury , Wilts , before it closed in 1989 . One possible reason for the cure is that the alcohol may act as an anti - inflammatory agent , stopping symptoms like a runny nose .