Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: make a go of (used idiomatically: yes)
She did n't approve of him . That was one impediment . It may sound priggish , but she says it 's unwise to go against one 's nature , its fundamental requirements , she knew that she could only make a go of it , a real go — and that was what she wanted — with some very extraordinary kind of man , and she had n't met him yet . It occurs to me : Oh good God , was she a romantic , too , in her own way ? No more of a realist than Anna ?
Idiom: get the nod (used idiomatically: yes)
That 's another of the imponderables , of . Several weeks ago , I tossed the name of Aqib Javed into the guessing - game ring . Since the , there have been hints of enthusiasm in certain quarters for the wristy genius Mushtaq Ahmed ( who eventually got the nod — ED . ) . Jimmy Cook was also back in familiar territory , quietly amiable as ever , pulling on the moustache and whispering that he would n't mind another year or two with Somerset after all . FORGIVE AND FORGET
Idiom: rub shoulders (used idiomatically: yes)
In return for giving Loblaws its official seal of approval , Probe was to receive a royalty on sales . Worse still : Probe 's erudite and respected Executive Director , Colin Isaacs , had also agreed to play environmental salesperson for Loblaws . Canadians long used to seeing environmental campaigners arguing with corporate polluters were stunned to turn on their TV sets and see Isaacs rubbing shoulders with Loblaws ' gnome - like marketing genius , David Nichols . Surrounded by a small mountain of ‘ green’ diapers — made with non - chlorine bleached paper and photo - sensitive plastic — Isaacs told viewers , ‘ If you must use disposable diapers , then use this one’ . The union of environmentalist and marketing executive was both innovative and shocking .
Idiom: over the counter (used idiomatically: yes)
To be fair , there were two groups of Britons who were very concerned about health maintenance . The first , known as cranks , tended to swallow some extraordinary theories . The second , known as hypochondriacs , tended to swallow a large number of useless potions purchased from over the chemist 's counter . But these were just two little subcultures , and in no way representative of Britain as a whole . But how attitudes have changed , since the F - Plan diet was first published in 1982 .
Idiom: strike a chord (used idiomatically: yes)
In 1519 , Zwingli became preacher at the Grossmunster , and he used its pulpit to launch savage attacks on Catholic doctrines . His teachings appealed to the Zurichers . His quarrel with Luther meant that he had little influence in Germany , but there was something about his insistence on thrift , application , and hard work for its own sake that struck sympathetic chords in the Zurich temperament . No doubt , too , the Zurichers , always a theatrically - minded people , were won by the threatening sense of drama with which his philosophy was delivered . Long after his death , Zwingli 's influence persisted , so that spirituality and commerce met conveniently on common ground .
Idiom: to all intents and purposes (used idiomatically: yes)
Dermot and Fergal gave a great whoop and rose with Mike and Patsy . Ellie looked once more down the table to her father , silently praying he would put an end to it , and prevent what was sure to be a bloodbath . But he was still to all intents and purposes uninterested . For he just pushed his plate aside , wiped his mouth on the back of his hand , and getting up from the table once again went out of the house without saying a word . In the yard , the protagonists were preparing for battle .
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
Remember All - Bran , wrote Harsnet , remember milk . And Goldberg , pulling the pad towards him and seizing his felt - tip pen , began to write . Dear Harsnet , he wrote , you may keep your door closed and not answer when I ring the bell , you may refuse to answer my letters or return my calls when I leave a message on your answering machine , but sooner or later we are bound to meet and this time I will not let you fob me off with a smile . Dear Harsnet , he wrote , you have been seen doing circuit training with Korchnoi and the Brighton and Hove Albion football team . If I am to do what you asked , he wrote , you will have to co - operate .
Idiom: see stars (used idiomatically: yes)
Day 5 The Wise Men Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king , behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem , saying , ' Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him . ' When Herod the king heard these things , he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him . And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together he demanded of them where Christ should be born .
Idiom: bring up the rear (used idiomatically: yes)
Their opening fixture was a home match against Potley Town and the club decided that this was the day to wake up Whaddon to its new go - ahead football team . At 2.30p.m . in the Fine Fare car park , a procession mustered . The Whaddon and Mitchley Scouts and Guides band wound its tuneless way along the High Street , followed by six young girls lethally wielding pom - poms — the Mentle Motors Majorettes — and bringing up the rear , Reg Pybus ' Bedford minibus in which , crammed like sardines , the new team sat invisible behind the heavily steamed up windows . Owing to faulty traffic lights at the top of Tip Lane , the procession was held up and , on arriving at the ground , found Potley already on the pitch and themselves a hefty fine for their late arrival for the game . To cap this day of celebration , the ‘ Whads’ went down 4–0 and manager Julian Ripley - Rust was sacked .
Idiom: take the piss (used idiomatically: yes)
You can get sacked for fucking I know , I 'm not , that 's what I 'm saying . Specially Mark and oh really taking the piss . just fucking for three hours . Well he 's gon na struggle to get get a job anyway .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: no)
This is an advantage for all documents written or approved by more than one author , not just the rather artificial example of education . there is some potential for testing consistency of marking — it is a big worry to most of us , when marking a hundred different pieces of coursework , that the hundredth might have been marked to a different standard to the first . If the marker uses semi - standard annotations ( e.g. ‘ Style - sheet not used : … ‘ ) , this opens up the possibility of writing a checking program that analyses the annotations in some marked work and checks whether the mark suggested by the annotations is seriously out of line with the given mark . The marker can then have another look at any apparently anomalous cases . Even if comments are returned to students on paper , the paper can , of course , be prepared using DTP .
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: yes)
Net operating profits before abnormal items have more than doubled to A$ 216.1 m ( £ 98 m ) and gains have been notched up by virtually all businesses from TV to newspapers and magazines . Newspaper profits in the UK jumped 35 % due to higher operating margins . BSkyB ( Sky Television ) is firmly in the black and the 50%-owned satellite venture now has weekly revenues of more than £ 6 m , with 80 % coming from pay service subscriptions . The 50%-owned Ansett Transport arm in Australia is now making money . Shares in News Corp and its UK arm News International have enjoyed a dramatic recovery and more than doubled in the last year .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Dance has always been his first love and in recent years he 's been on tour six times with his own company . At times his fingers and toes have been burnt . He once lost £ 80,000 when a tour of Japan was cancelled suddenly and he had to pay the cost of transporting the show 's equipment back to Britain out of his own pocket . He does get angry that dancers are n't treated as well as actors or other performers in Britain and is upset that there are n't more dance shows on TV . He moans : ' It took three days to record one 30 minute Hot Shoe Show , whereas it takes one day to film a game show .
Idiom: one-horse race (used idiomatically: yes)
That was what happened in 1984 when Renault 's Formula 1 programme fell into disarray the season after it had just been pipped at the final post by the Brabham - BMW team . Not a bit of it . When the grand prix season opened in South Africa in March , it was a one - horse race . Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese simply blitzed the opposition with a devastating one - two result . The McLaren - Honda partnership , which had dominated F1 racing since 1988 , was relegated to the role of also - rans .
Idiom: get lost (used idiomatically: no)
He exchanged a look with Fenella and saw that she was watching Goibniu quite politely , but that there was a wariness in her eyes . But Goibniu was smooth and courteous ; he was very nearly urbane . He paid a brief homage to the Gnomes , who had journeyed all the way from the Gallan Mountains to bring their ideas for the new Queen 's Crown Jewels and did not refer to the fact that they were four days late on account of getting lost on the way . He said they would all be wanting to study the designs the minute Balor had cleared away breakfast and Bith at once reached for the knapsacks , and said he hoped Flaherty had not spilled jam on the drawing of the four - pronged diadem and Flaherty , injured , said indeed he had not and it the best damson jam he had ever tasted . ‘ And if there 's a bite more , I wo n't refuse , your prominence.’
Idiom: to the hilt (used idiomatically: yes)
Apart from one or two lapses , you 've been a model of fidelity.’ He went on , ‘ I ca n't really understand why . I 'm sure he did n't expect you to play the part to the hilt . I 'm sure he 's not doing likewise.’ ‘ So you tried to suggest before,’ she replied , ‘ and , as I said then , he 's a free agent.’
Idiom: on and off (used idiomatically: yes)
In the flicker of an eyelid the hostility had vanished and he had become a model of charm and smiling good humour , as he politely asked her all about herself and answered her questions in return . At the end of the day Shiona had innocently believed that her second new stepbrother was her friend . That misconception had continued on and off over the following six or seven years . Six or seven years in the course of which her infatuation with him , in spite of the rare times she saw him , had grown increasingly severe . It was that detached , aloof quality of his , she had often thought , that had originally attracted her so fatally to him .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: yes)
A range of Specimen Answer Packs is planned to meet the continual requests for such a service . LCCIEB Answer Packs will combine the Chief Examiner 's Report on candidates ' achievement with detailed answers to every question asked . These packs will be invaluable to both tutors and students alike because they will provide very clear guidance on the level of achievement required by the Board . Note , however , that we shall supply ‘ specimen’ and not ‘ model’answers . This is because in many subjects there is no ‘ perfect’ answer .
Idiom: pick up the pieces (used idiomatically: yes)
But food and agriculture are the original environmental issues . It is a law of nature that when food and agriculture become business commodities , the health , the culture and the very identity of that nation will eventually be destroyed . This has happened all over the Western world and we must now start to pick up the pieces . As Jonathon Porritt says : ‘ Our environment starts with ourselves , and with our own wholeness and health . We can begin to clean up our act by eating whole , fresh food and by working for a high - quality , environmentally benign food supply’ .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Having made these distinctions , however , it is important not to oversimplify them . The different dimensions of conflict overlap and interact in a sometimes bewildering variety of ways . For example , types of worker resistance which derive from spontaneous , unofficial initiatives on the part of groups of workers often benefit from a degree of tacit legitimacy , in the sense that those in authority may ‘ turn a blind eye’ to various workshop practices . Conversely , while a trade union provides the basis for claiming legitimacy of action , official industrial disputes may still not actually enjoy widespread legitimacy . The extent to which workers are able openly to contest issues can vary a great deal , depending on factors like prevailing public opinion and the attitude of the particular employer .
Idiom: force someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Ranulf was sworn to secrecy , but there was worse to come . The porter pulled out his knife , slashed the corpse , and then gave Ranulf 's arm a small nick on the wrist . He then forced Ranulf 's hand close to that of the corpse . Ranulf felt the wet scaliness against his skin as if some dreadful snake was slithering along his arm . Oblivious to the words he spoke , cursing Corbett and near fainting with terror , he swore he would never divulge the secret in this life or the next .
Idiom: go down the wrong way (used idiomatically: yes)
I dunno . You have n't had any bony fish ? Or bits that have gone down the wrong way ? Or As far as you 're aware ? no .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
It continues to turn , moving now towards the Cabinet Office . The little group of staff - officers accompanying the general turn as well , falling back deferentially to keep out of his line of vision … He turns his head a little further and it comes to me that these are the people who are making the programme about Summerchild . With terrible deliberation the camera lifts its single eye towards the roofline . Together with all its accompanying staff it gazes straight at me …
Idiom: drink like a fish (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ It happened in Somerset , in that house . Simon 's uncle had taken him under his wing , so Simon and his wife , Mary , half lived there . Simon was drinking like a fish ; he was n't getting on with Mary at all ; he was working too much , and they said he was worried as he was about to switch Parties . That night there had been a dinner for some of his London friends , they sat up late and there was a kind of wager , they went out into the park , it was a chilly night , and Simon in his evening clothes jumped into the water - piece . Afterwards Mary came to him aghast , ‘ Do change your clothes , darling , I beg you.’
Idiom: song and dance (used idiomatically: yes)
Staged in the beautiful and historic town of Beverley , this internationally renowned Festival features concerts of Medieval and early Baroque music . BEVERLEY FOLK FESTIVAL 19/6/92–21/6/92 Celebrating its 10th Anniversary , the Festival will be mounting a very special weekend of traditional music , song and dance with leading performers from around Britain and Europe . SOUTH BANK JAZZ FESTIVAL 3/7/92–5/7/92 Held in the open air and under marquees , The South Bank Jazz Festival has developed a strong reputation for presenting the best in traditional and contemporary jazz .
Idiom: play hard to get (used idiomatically: yes)
He moved across the room and out of the door without a glance at Gwen . ‘ My!’ said Sheila . ‘ Perhaps he 's got delusions of grandeur and is playing hard to get.’ Jenny suddenly did n't care for her in the least . She downed the remaining beer in her glass in one easy draught .
Idiom: rub shoulders (used idiomatically: yes)
When hollywood talent spotters decided that the penguins were just right for the job , the birds were flown out to Hollywood — no expense spared . He says they provided everything they needed , fresh fish , ice , everything . The birds rubbed shoulders with Danny De Vito — who plays Batmans arch villain the penguin . So how did the star cope with the birds ? He says that Danny De Vito had to feed the penguins — no they did n't bite him , they do n't bite !
Idiom: pull the plug (used idiomatically: yes)
' We were riding on the seat of our pants , ' Pete remembers . ' Anybody could 've gone outside and pulled a plug out of the wall and the show would 've been off the air A lot of people probably wish they had . ' Around 5 pm Michaela arrives at The Ritzy by car from London . She 'd set off at 2 pm from TV - am , where she 'd been working since 8 am on The Wide Awake Club .
Idiom: turn the corner (used idiomatically: yes)
One of them left a couple of minutes later to buy a newspaper . A motor car was parked in the alleyway about three metres from the bakery door and alongside the Alliance building end wall . He walked past it and turned the corner into Cromwell Road . Seconds later 200 lb of high explosive detonated in the car . The people working in the bakery escaped alive only because its wall collapsed outward into the alleyway .
Idiom: as the crow flies (used idiomatically: yes)
Boxborough , Massachusetts - based NEC Technologies Inc has introduced its UltraLite Versa Series , the first portable modular notebook that enables users to choose and change configurations as needed : prices go from $ 2,660 to $ 4,540 and users can change and upgrade components as needed — between pen and keyboard , for instance , with no tools . ‘ LITTLE ENGLAND’ Reminds you just how little England appears to Americans , does n't it — after all it 's only 120 miles as the crow flies … Burlington , Massachusetts - based Object Design Inc announces the formation of Object Design ( UK ) Ltd , ‘ a subsidiary based in London , England … Object Design ( UK ) Ltd is located at 604 Delta Business Park , Welton Road , Swindon , Wiltshire , SN5 7XF’ .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
Any inflation occurring during that period will reduce the real value of the redemption payment and hence the real yield . Finally , we can ask how an index - linked gilt can be compared with a conventional gilt . The best way is to calculate the break - even inflation rate . This is the inflation rate that makes the money yield on an index - linked gilt equal to the yield to maturity on a conventional gilt of the same maturity . If the expected rate of inflation is higher than the break - even rate of inflation , investors will prefer the index - linked bond .
Idiom: foot the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
British Aerospace WON'T have to repay almost forty - five million pounds which the Government paid it as an inducement to buy the Rover car company . Experts say it 's good news for Rover , which could have been sold off if today 's European Court ruling had gone the other way . But Labour , which is blaming the Government for gross incompetence , says it 's wrong that the public should foot the bill . Robin Powell reports . AUGUST 1988
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
His lips brushed her forehead , then her temple . ‘ No more running , Polly,’ he whispered . Her eyes closed and she turned her head to one side . Not her mouth . If he touched her mouth then she would be lost .
Idiom: on the ropes (used idiomatically: yes)
The old joke is that in the army they once had the message ‘ Send reinforcements we 're going to advance’ but it became ‘ Send three and fourpence we 're going to a dance.’ 89 Tug of peace The idea of this is for all the people to pull on the rope as hard as possible . However , instead of pulling the other team over a mark , the idea is for one or two to change sides to help the losing team and create a balance . 90 Magic mirror
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
Indeed the nineteen eighties was a wretched decay er for that continent , famine deterioration in terms of trade , higher world interest rates , poor economic policies , undemocratic governments , all conspired against progress in Africa . Africa was fe falling further and further behind but things are changing economic and political form is taking root across the continent and showing return . The twenty core countries benefiting from the special programme for Africa achieved economic growth of nearly four percent in the year nineteen eighty eight , i the years nineteen eighty eight to nineteen ninety . Faster than before the ruror than before the reforms were introduced and faster than population growth , leaving room there for for some modest increase in average incomes . Now in the years nineteen ninety one to nineteen ninety two Britain spent four hundred and five million pounds of its financial aid programme in Africa , about forty percent of the total and we shall continue to respond to the demands and challenges that Africa presents .
Idiom: to the hilt (used idiomatically: yes)
People just look faintly embarrassed at this bad taste . Charles Moore , one - time editor of the Spectator , merely looks bored . Now he will be able to carpet the bare boards of his house , something he predicted in last week 's Spectator would be impossible under Labour , so mortgaged to the hilt is he . His children will no longer have ‘ splinters in their feet’ . According to the Guardian , he earns a measly £ 95,000 a year .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Since when,’ said Helen , ‘ does one forget?’ He remembered now , though would not have done so otherwise . He left Helen and went to have a bath and in the cold steamy bathroom there came to him this vision of a distant unreal Helen looking — well , radiant was the unexpected word that came to mind — looking not her usual self at all in some frock that glowed and billowed and rustled as she came in at the front door late , pink - cheeked , a touch dishevelled and greeted by the stone wall of Dorothy 's disapproval . Where had he been then ? Lurking on the stairs ; listening from his bed ?
Idiom: pull a face (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Your niece said you 've been to Paris,’ Sabine said as the lemonade was poured . ‘ Yes.’ She pulled a face . ‘ But I regard it as a penance . I do not like cities , even one as beautiful as Paris .
Idiom: dog tired (used idiomatically: yes)
That truck driver tried to kill us — and he knew where to locate us exactly . Lord knows how but maybe we should get out of here.’ ‘ You 're dog - tired and hungry … ’ ‘ I told you , I 'm game.’ ‘ I 'm dog - tired and hungry too,’ he told her .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
He forced himself out of the chair and fastened his tunic . If he did n't get away now , he 'd only be waylaid by the others , there 'd be more whiskies , and it would be all hours before he 'd get to his lodgings and the letter from Elizabeth . He threw his greatcoat over his shoulders and then , remembering ' By - the - book ' Campbell , donned it properly . At the main gate he acknowledged the sentry 's salute and turned to face the short hill up Southern Road to his rooms . As he strode out into the darkness , the gloom and chill of the evening only served to sharpen his anticipation , so that he had no eyes for the RIC men on patrol , the few pedestrians hurrying along , or the horse and cart just moving off beside him on the road , the barely discernible name JAS SULLIVAN painted on the cart 's side and a burly figure with a flattened nose and scarred face hunched on the driver 's seat , desultorily twitching the reins .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: no)
Oxfordshire County Council will vote tomorrow . But it could be several weeks yet before these children know the fate of their school . A student has made education history by becoming the first in the country to pass a new exam . The top grades of the new qualifications are worth two conventional A - Levels , and it 's hoped that as many as half of all sixth formers will soon be studying for them . ROBIN POWELL / Wootton Bassett