Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: hands down (used idiomatically: no)
Finally , Gassendi attacks the idea that proofs must be syllogistic in form . Even Aristotle 's own practice contradicts this . ' Indeed , if Aristotle was a master of the art and handed his philosophy down to us very carefully , should n't he have proven everything in the most perfect form , especially when he insisted upon it himself — unless perhaps he intended to make fun of us ? ' Running through Gassendi 's forthright rejection of the Aristotelian apparatus of definitions of ' forms ' and syllogistic demonstration of scientific knowledge , is something more positive . He frequently implies that knowledge is to be had by experience and by careful observation of the world .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
I jumped at the opportunity of travelling on her . I was fed up after weeks of playing deck quoits and shuffleboard , and the Mantela appeared to be the perfect introduction to the South Seas for , instead of going straight to Sanderstown , she would call at Rarotonga , and spend a day or two there , so I would be able to fit in a visit to another island and see something of it at a leisurely pace . I knew nothing really about the behind - the - scenes activities of missions working in remote islands , but the Australian representative , Brian Parker , explained that he worked for several missions of different denominations , arranging facilities , transfer of funds , booking hotels for newcomers and whatever might be needed . He was a short , precise man with a small moustache which reminded me a little of Hitler 's , but he had none of the German leader 's belligerence . He could n't do enough to help .
Idiom: draw a line in the sand (used idiomatically: yes)
But the Euro - sceptics got support from an unexpected source on Monday evening . At a dinner organised by the Conservative Philosophy Group , David Owen , the Social Democratic leader , launched a broadside against both monetary and political union . He argued that Britain ought to use its veto and ‘ draw a line in the sand’ . His stance could further embarrass Mr Major . It also , incidentally , sits oddly with the widely peddled idea that Dr Owen is seeking a place in the Major cabinet .
Idiom: get it up (used idiomatically: yes)
The carrycot , with buggy combined , has been really good value ; it cost about £ 120 but I 've had so much use out of it already . My only complaint is that it is so heavy . It nearly killed me getting it up and down the stairs . ‘ Rachel 's cot cost £ 130 and we bought a horsehair mattress for it which cost £ 50 — expensive but it will last a long time . Three cot sheets and three blankets came to £ 27 .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
The Store nomes looked around the burrow with interest and a certain amount of approval . It was nicely closed - in . ' Your ancestors probably lived in holes like this , ' said Grimma . ' With shelves and things , of course . ' ' Very nice , ' said a nome .
Idiom: turn the corner (used idiomatically: no)
The street was just moist with rain , sweet - smelling . Then he remembered George Aspinall and the change of plan , and that he had not decided what to do . He turned the corner miserably , bumping into Elsie with their fish and chips . ‘ More haste,’ she said . Gaily nodded .
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
TEN more years ! That was the rallying cry of Cleveland Arts after its tenth anniversary exhibition in the St Mary 's Centre , Middlesbrough , yesterday . Administrator Denise Gilgallon said many exciting projects were in the pipeline . Royal Liverpool Philharmonic : Middlesbrough A spacious and dedicated performance of the Vaughan Williams London Symphony was undoubtedly the highlight of a fine programme at Middlesbrough Town Hall .
Idiom: by and large (used idiomatically: yes)
Yes , it 's the as well Exactly , yes , yes exactly all by and large I mean it 's almost certainly it 's getting it from one place to the next Oh for instance , for instance
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Some of it is exquisite and some very rough . River Phoenix continues to be a miracle , having earned his Oscar nomination in Running on Empty . I ca n't imagine he has ever had to search for his mother , or had narcolepsy , or become a hustler , yet he does all three so brilliantly in the film it breaks your heart . There is a scene where he 's sitting in his bathrobe , where he looks like a woman from Coronation Street . It makes you wonder what reserves this young man has reached into , to come up with this .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: yes)
Though there is no legislation governing the fitment of airbags to European cars nor is there any independent evidence available on how many fatalities or injuries are prevented by the use of an airbag in conjunction with seatbelts . Volkswagen , which helped develop the smaller Eurobag specifically for smaller cars , introduced the Eurobag as optional equipment on the Golf last year and has now made it available on the Passat saloon as well . This has forced other manufacturers to follow suit as the latest market research confirms that customers now put safety at the top of their list of desirable features in a car . Some , like Ford and Vauxhall , have been able to respond quickly but Rover , which has a US airbag only on the top of the range 800 series , is having to undertake a major engineering programme to make them available throughout the range during the next year . A Rover spokesman said,’ It is the German manufacturers which are forcing everyone else to follow suit just as the Germans forced catalytic convertors on the market as the answer to emission problems when most other manufacturers were developing lean burn engine technology to achieve the same result more effectively.’
Idiom: man's best friend (used idiomatically: yes)
By Bryan Christie THE LAST thing likely to cross the mind of someone woken by a yapping dog in the middle of the night is the question why do dogs bark when wolves rarely do . Throttling the yapping beast is likely to be the more ready response but that would show a shocking lack of sympathy for man 's best friend . After all , man may well be to blame for the barking . A report in New Scientist magazine suggests that dogs bark because they never grow up .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
This exhibition , the first of its kind devoted to Irish art , will chart the development of modern painting in Ireland from 1880 until 1950 . The exhibition , which is also being shown at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin , will comprise 132 paintings and sculptures drawn from public and private collections throughout Ireland , England , France , Switzerland and the USA . The exhibition will be accompanied by an associated book and catalogue written by S B Kennedy of the Ulster Museum . Exhibition sponsored in Belfast by Northern Bank . The Japanese Tea Ceremony and Ikebana
Idiom: high and low (used idiomatically: no)
A total of nearly £ 300,000 was directly budgeted by our sample for training during 1984/5 with the budget for individual library departments ranging from nothing to over £ 20,000 . As a relatively small number of library authorities carry out a high amount of training , so a small number of libraries spend a high proportion of the money budgeted : 19 libraries accounted for 55 % of this money , although employing just under a quarter of all staff . Money budgeted was related to extent of training indicated , though there were exceptions to prove the rule at every level of spending,(except the highest and the lowest ) . Training officers constitute a significant and arguably essential resource if systematic , evaluated training is to be carried out . The endorsement by The Library Association Working Party on Training of the recommendations of the Working Party on Post - Qualification Training , was noted .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
Appointment of new Cabinet Prime Minister Bob Hawke made sweeping changes in his Cabinet , appointed on April 3 following the re - election by a narrow margin of his Australian Labor Party ( ALP ) government on March 23 . Hawke 's new Cabinet involved numerous changes in ministerial responsibility , and six new junior ministers were appointed , although the overall balance of representation between the ALP 's left and right wings remained largely unchanged . In addition to retaining his post as Treasurer , Paul Keating was appointed to the largely ceremonial post of Deputy Prime Minister following the retirement of Lionel Bowen . The move was widely interpreted as a confirmation of Keating 's position as Hawke 's successor , and fuelled speculation that the Prime Minister might step down before the next election .
Idiom: in black and white (used idiomatically: yes)
No - one in their right minds was going to sponsor us , so I decided to sell our semi - detached two - bedroomed house and just go.’ Within three months of the suggestion , the house — despite the recession and a deflated housing market — was sold and Nigel , his girlfriend , two Nikon cameras . four lenses ( a 20,35,55 and zoom ) , a tripod , ‘ that was as essential on the trip as a passport,’ and 30 rolls of Kodachrome film ( although Nigel prefers working in black and white , from the commercial angle colour film was better ) were flying to India ; the first port of call . ‘ We did n't see any point in hanging around . We planned where to go ( ten countries , including Nepal , Thailand , Indonesia , Australia , Cook Islands and North America ) and went .
Idiom: go with the flow (used idiomatically: yes)
in the Star mine . Other people will be making changes today , you may feel put out that you have not been consulted , however it will pay off if you curb your famous temper . The new rules will actually work in your favour , so go with with the flow . It 's a little bit . It 's a little bit hard understand that innit ?
Idiom: on the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
A FEW weeks ago TeleClub featured Kristian Schmid ( Todd in ' Neighbours ' ) and how he was looking for a boy or girl from Northern Ireland to join his Steel Can Recycling Board . Boys and girls from all over the UK will join Kristian for a day in London , and will discuss how best to encourage people to re - cycle their steel cans . Most of the cans on the grocery shelves of supermarkets are steel cans — the ones that contain soup , baked beans , rice , and vegetables . You will always know a steel can by using a magnet — if it sticks , it 's steel ! If it does n't stick , then it 's almost certainly an aluminium can .
Idiom: take root (used idiomatically: yes)
Today , it is a UN administered territory undergoing a transition from 50 years of communism , 10 years of apartheid - like Serb rule , and the ravages of war . Moreover , Kosovo ’s long - term status is undefined : although a UN protectorate it remains formally under the sovereignty of the disintegrating Yugoslav federation of Serbia and Montenegro . Becoming a democratic , economically prosperous state may , indeed , be beyond the reach of Kosovars for years to come , because Kosovo first needs to become its own state if prosperity and democracy are to take root . UN Security ~ Council ~ Resolution 1244 , the supreme law here , precludes this unless both sides – Serbia and Kosovo – agree to it in negotiations . But Resolution 1244 does not rule out Kosovo acquiring a de - facto government that functions like a true national government .
Idiom: fit the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
Well I have to say that much of the impact of this story depends upon your being able to see and think of Boy as beautiful , admirable and even adorable in the true senses of those difficult and dangerous but nonetheless precious and necessary words ; I suggest therefore that you amend my descriptions of Boy and his lover — but I anticipate myself , that was not to be for several weeks yet ; that ‘ Great Romance of Our Times’ , as it became known amongst us , had not yet begun , its theme tune had not yet been composed on Gary 's piano , its scenario was not yet subject of our daily gossip and speculation , we were not yet auditioning for a place in the credits — The Friend , The Admirer , Blonde Man in Bar , Second Guest at Dinner Party . But do go back , and amend my description of Boy so that he is , is some way , if you see what I mean , your type . Make him fit the bill ; imagine for him the attributes that you require . I do n't mean that you have to imagine him as your lover or prospective lover ; this story does not require such strict identification , and I do n't see that any story does . After all , just look round any bar and you 'll see that everybody there , myself included ( you too if it 's your kind of bar ) , has in their time been both The Boy and The Older Man , both Banker and Domestic , Ingenue and Other Woman , booted Prince and stirrup - holding Groom — but I do n't mean either that you should have complete license to make him look just how you wish ; I do n't want to think of anyone hearing this story and grinning and thinking of Boy as some permanently , conveniently smiling blue - eyed blonde , because he was not that in any way and that is not what he meant to us .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
Sleeps all day sleeps all bloody night , worse than a cat . Well he came upstairs this morning , got on the bed and he went flop ! And his head went straight across me chest , I thought oh , oh it 's made me chesty . He did n't wanna move his bloody head . Mm .
Idiom: round the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
Michael 's father Ian arrived in Darlington yesterday after flying from Oman . The family are maintaining a bedside vigil for their son who suffered serious head injuries in the attack . Neurosurgeons have already operated on Michael , who worked for a local builders ' merchant , and a team of specialists are keeping a round - the - clock watch on his condition . Yesterday Chief Insp Harvey Harris , who is leading the inquiry , renewed his appeals for help . Police have managed to track down 30 people who were in the town centre when the attack occurred , but admit witnesses are proving difficult to find .
Idiom: run the gamut (used idiomatically: yes)
The Doctor had four balls in the air now , although nobody could see where the extra one had come from . He was milking the audience for all he could get : throwing the balls out in every direction and catching them in a windmill of arms . He was mugging terribly , his rubber features running the gamut of exaggerated emotions from wide - eyed amazement to crumpled despair . ‘ Oh , for … .’ She tried to catch up with the machine , but she did n't want to attract any undue attention from the IMC troopers , and the thing seemed determined to ignore her .
Idiom: talk nineteen to the dozen (used idiomatically: yes)
Or if we 're thinking of inviting an up - and - coming actor on the show , the researchers will find tapes of them being interviewed , usually from America , in order for us to watch them in action . Someone who 's brilliant on the cinema screen is n't necessarily a good talk show guest . Indeed , one of the researchers ' most important tasks is to ascertain for my benefit what kind of conversation we 'll be likely to have — whether the guest talks nineteen to the dozen , in which case I 'll need to prepare lots of questions , or if they take ten minutes to say ‘ Good evening’— in which case I 'll start praying . It 's very different on radio , which is where I 've had most of my interviewing experience . For a radio interview , I 'd do my own homework , and I 've always believed in doing it thoroughly .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
THE PLACE : BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY THE EVENT : THE EVOLUTION OF A BRITISH ATHLETICS FEDERATION ON SUNDAY 17TH MARCH 1991 HISTORY WILL BE MADE WHEN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE A.A.A. , W.A.A.A. , AND B.A.A.B. WILL BRING INTO BEING A BRITISH ATHLETICS FEDERATION AND AN A.A.A. OF ENGLAND . ROAD RUNNING WILL , ALONG WITH TRACK AND FIELD , CROSS - COUNTRY AND OTHER AREAS OF THE SPORT , HAVE ITS OWN COMMISSION AND WITH ALL CLUBS IN BRITAIN HAVING A VOICE AND A VOTE AT BRITISH ATHLETICS FEDERATION LEVEL YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO VOICE YOUR VIEWS ON HOW ROAD RUNNING IN BRITAIN SHOULD BE RUN IN FUTURE . MAKE SURE YOUR CLUB HAS A VOICE AND A VOTE IN THIS HISTORIC PROCESS BY BEING PRESENT ON 17TH MARCH .
Idiom: small potatoes (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ A bit harder , but I think we managed it . You said he turned up a few hours after the event , so it seems likely he left London at short notice . Plus the fact that he was throwing his weight around with the police seemed to say Whitehall and no small potatoes , so we started with that . We tried Education and Science first . They 've got a Hennessy , but according to his secretary he has n't been away from his desk for a week .
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: no)
She dropped it back on the pile . Hanging from the rail was an empty coat - hanger . Remembering what Gloria had said , Melissa took it down and sniffed it , hoping to detect some tell - tale trace of scent , but there was nothing . Well , it had been a forlorn hope at best . Disconsolately , she relocked the cupboard , replaced the key and went slowly upstairs to her classroom .
Idiom: give something a miss (used idiomatically: yes)
The Centre has a number of tanks and can give you plenty of advice . REFLEXOLOGY If you 're ticklish on the feet , perhaps you 'd better give reflexology a miss , but if you love a little footsie , read on . Seriously , reflexology is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which reflex areas in the feet are massaged . It is believed that every part of the feet corresponds to a part of the body .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
Dallas - based Recognition Equipment Inc says that its shareholders approved changing the company 's name to Recognition International Inc. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION SEES ONLY BREAK - EVEN OPERATING RESULTS Digital Communications Associates Inc , Alpharetta , Georgia says it sees only break - even operating results for its third quarter ending March 31 : it says its printer products unit , Pacific Data Products Inc , was experiencing a slowdown in sales and that its communications business also experienced slow sales in January ; breakeven will be before the previously announced aggregate one - time restructuring charge of about $ 67.7 m . BELL ATLANTIC TO SELL 108.9 m SHARES IN NEW ZEALAND TELECOM CORP Bell Atlantic Corp has now reached agreement to sell 108.9 m shares in Telecom Corp of New Zealand Ltd to BZW New Zealand Ltd , leaving it with 29.56 % of Telecom , in line with government demand ; settlement is due next week ; no price given .
Idiom: within living memory (used idiomatically: yes)
They carried gold and coal , machinery and books , tea and wool , cotton goods and cheap tin trays , not only to the ends of the earth but also round the coasts and up the rivers . For hundreds of years the ship of the line was the ultimate argument of kings , frequently used . Ships like this are not things of a dim past , there were first - class passenger sailing ships on the Australian run within living memory * and there are Admirals alive who first went to sea in wooden sailing ships . * ‘ The last major wooden ( actually composite ) passenger sailing ship seems to have been Torrenns which ceased carrying passengers to Adelaide in 1903 . Iron and steel sailing ships of various lines were carrying first- , second- and sometimes third - class passengers to Australia well into this century .
Idiom: under the influence (used idiomatically: no)
In place of a fall from grace which is ultimately to be followed by a return to Paradise , we have the notion that mankind originally evolved out of a sub - human stage of bestiality . The beginnings of language and the beginnings of social intercourse are man - made cultural inventions which mark the beginnings of true humanity . In principle , just as society was first invented by man , it could also be perfected by man ; but in practice , under the influence of civilization , the intrinsic nobility of the first true men becomes corrupted . Thus progress always overreaches itself and mankind falls back into a new barbarism . But because these social theorists recognized the possibility of a stage - by - stage perfectibility of human society , they implicitly thought of culture as superimposed upon nature .
Idiom: in living memory (used idiomatically: yes)
Indeed , lending to governments and banks in the European periphery represents the European equivalent of subprime lending in the US ( which was also concentrated in a few sunshine states ) . Given the many similarities between the two crises ’ basic features , European leaders could learn a lot from the US experience . The first lesson is that , despite the limited overall volume of subprime loans , the subprime crisis could blow up into the biggest financial crisis in living memory , because an overstretched financial system was unable to cope with even limited losses . Similarly , the combined debt of Greece , Ireland , and Portugal is small relative to the eurozone economy , but the European banking system is still so weak that these countries ’ debt problems can create a systemic crisis . A second lesson is that dealing successfully with a financial crisis requires , most immediately , a strong dose of liquidity .
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Then who did she see , if it was n't Dieter ? ’ asked Jack . ‘ It could have been Alain,’ said Melissa . ‘ They wear similar clothes , and they are the same build and colouring when you come to think of it . You did say her eyesight is n't all that good , did n't you , Rose?’ ‘ Of course!’
Idiom: hold the fort (used idiomatically: yes)
Has anybody seen a piece of A4 I left by the phone with all my ideas on it … It 's all right , I'll answer it!’ One day , while I was away and mother was holding the fort , he cracked . Zelma , bless her , who has always regarded her son - in - law as a sort of concierge who somehow manages to throw up the odd masterpiece in between sitting at a desk , gazing uselessly out of the window and making endless messes in her kitchen with his coffee dregs and fag ash , had been popping into the study at fairly regular intervals , with unspecific enquiries . ‘ Ja - ack ?
Idiom: face to face (used idiomatically: yes)
The grimness was not only a matter of the appalling weather conditions , nor of the remoteness from all comforts and advantages of city life . It was also the grimness of Presbyterianism . In small communities with a strong religious nucleus there is always an element of censure — sometimes unspoken , sometimes whispered , more rarely shouted aloud and face to face — of those who are thought to have transgressed against the faith . I think my father must have suffered some of this , if only because he refused to have us children christened . I remember someone — the school cleaner , I think — telling me how dreadful this omission was , and how I recognised the mixture of shock and pity in her voice without being able to separate the two , or understand to whom they were being allocated and why .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: no)
The Sheffield Bomber said : ‘ I 'll have to have a long , serious think about my future — but I 'll make the decision , on my own . And it will be final.’ BBC commentator Harry Carpenter was under fire last night after he said Fidel Castro Smith had in fact beaten victor Henry Wharton in their Commonwealth super - middleweight showdown — a decision that also had Bruno up in arms . But promoter Mickey Duff said : ‘ If we 're talking retirement it should be 5 to 4 ON Carpenter going before Graham!’ LEWIS : Cash boost