Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: keep up appearances (used idiomatically: yes)
The Queen of Beauty can not be truly beautiful , and have known and understood beauty , unless she has realized ugliness too . Beauty that denies its opposite becomes shallow and artificial . Consistently keeping up an outward appearance of beauty can be a strain , and even a repression of other forces which need expression . A permanently lovely , exquisite and gracious Queen of Beauty could become irritating ; indeed , to be enthroned as a ' beautiful woman ' in the mind of a male admirer can be a horrible experience . We need to retain the choice to present ourselves to the world as ' not - beautiful ' , to prevent suffocation and keep up a satisfactory interaction with people and tasks that we encounter .
Idiom: catch someone's eye (used idiomatically: yes)
The magistrate gives him a three - week remand in custody . The brief is a fat effeminate , dead - eyed man . As Crilly is taken back into the cells , he catches my eyes . He shrugs . It is a beginning for both of us .
Idiom: no man's land (used idiomatically: yes)
They were largely concerned with population and household predictions over the period to 1981 and the possibilities that existed for redistribution . In England and Wales the regional initiative passed partly to the newly established Regional Economic Planning Councils . They proceeded with great energy to produce their own regional reports , though long before their demise in 1979 they had lost their force , located in no - man 's land between central and local government . Nonetheless between 1966 and 1974 , 16 reports of regional significance were published , covering whole regions ( sometimes twice ) and parts of regions . But , in addition , the Central Unit for Environmental Planning ( within the Ministry ) published feasibility studies for Humberside ( 1969 ) and Severnside ( 1971 ) and there were various reports by consultants , for example Buchanan 's South Hampshire study ( 1966 ) .
Idiom: pushing up the daisies (used idiomatically: yes)
But she wants her share of bringing up baby , too . ' There was some distinctly unladylike wrangling between the grandmothers . ' They were fighting , ' says Lucy , ' over the fluffy head of my son , as if his parents were already pushing up daisies ! Apart from anything else , it was the most embarrassing episode in my life . We 're sticking to our original plan , and they 'll have to accept it , although I sometimes think that , if we knew we were about to die , I 'd rather post Oliver through the nearest letter - box and just let him take pot luck .
Idiom: into thin air (used idiomatically: yes)
The lift to the trains are upstairs.’ The stranger made no move . However , when Mr Hayden stood up and made to show the stranger the way , the figure melted into thin air , leaving the foreman completely mystified . Thinking fatigue had got the better of his tired mind , Jack Hayden did not worry unduly until the following Monday morning when a porter who had been working on the station Platform came to the mess room and saw a strange figure looking at Mr Hayden . When the porter entered the room the stranger melted into thin air .
Idiom: under the influence (used idiomatically: no)
Once the foreign troops had gone , the Scottish Parliament denounced Popery , forbade the celebration of Mass , and introduced a Protestant confession of faith . John Knox returned to a tumultuous welcome , having been flatteringly described as a reformer who not merely ‘ lopped the branches of the papistry’ but struck ‘ at the root , to destroy the whole’ . In August 1561 Mary , widowed after a short marriage and a short reign , and seeing little future in a country under the influence of her powerful mother - in - law , returned to her own kingdom , landing in the mist at Leith and making her way to Holyroodhouse . Thus there came into being a national jurisdiction which had forsworn Catholicism , ruled over by a queen who refused to abandon her Catholic faith . For a while she behaved wisely or cunningly — by allowing her ministers to give formal recognition to the ways of the reformed church on condition that she herself was allowed to worship in the old way in the privacy of her own chapel at Holyrood .
Idiom: break new ground (used idiomatically: yes)
Thank you for your letter of 21 May. We are busy redrawing the specification of Microconcord , in particular working on the user interface and considering whether we can in fact make Version 1 an indexing concordancer . We are also developing the handbook and expect to be breaking really new ground there . We will certainly keep you informed of our progress but I do n't expect to be able to send you anything until at the earliest some time while you are in Edinburgh . You might like to know that I have recently been in touch with a Mme Francine Roussel ( University of Nancy II , 23 Blvd Albert 1e , Nancy 54000 ) who is just completing a survey review of concordancers .
Idiom: at a stretch (used idiomatically: no)
Subs : Williamson 5 , McMullan 6 . Referee : Tom Deegan ( Ballynahinch ) 7 . AT FULL STRETCH … Glenavon 's Davy Dennison denies Bangor opponent Ricky McEvoy Picture : FRED HOARE
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
Turning to leave he saw a jiffy - bag of formidable bulk addressed to himself in Sixsmith 's tremulous hand . There seemed no reason not to take it . The old office boy , Alistair soon saw , was curled up in a sleeping - bag under a work table in the outer room . On the street he unseamed his package in a ferment of grew fluff . It contained two of his screenplays , Valley of the Stratocasters and , confusingly , Decimator .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: no)
Whatever card is led , the suit must be followed by the others , if possible .
Idiom: in my book (used idiomatically: yes)
Nor is it equipped with a frigidaire patent ; Yet the companions of the Muses will keep their collective nose in my books , And weary with historical data , they will turn to my dance tune . Happy who are mentioned in my pamphlets ,
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's been a complete mystery to me ever since I arrived here . It 's like their attitude to religion and their bloody Communist Party . Totally confusing , to say the least . It comes as a shock , I have to tell you , to anyone who 's spent a lifetime dealing with the perfectly decent chaps you run into at Thames Water.’ ‘ I suppose I do n't know exactly what Giovanna told them.’
Idiom: lay a finger on (used idiomatically: yes)
She was alone , at night , in a deserted unfamiliar area , with a stranger whom she had only met 5 minutes before . If she had allowed him in , she would have been defenceless . The odds are that the young man would not have laid a finger on her , but what if … ? How wonderful it must be to live in a community where everyone trusts their neighbours and even strangers ; a community where you can invite outsiders into your house , garden or car , and share hospitality and friendship without any fear of danger . There are still places where that heavenly state of affairs exists , but not in London ; nor in any of the cities or towns of what we call ‘ the civilized West’ .
Idiom: weather the storm (used idiomatically: yes)
Kermit and his staff watched and waited — they were expecting a blow but they did not or could not comprehend how severe it was to be . Actually , they were feeling quite secure at the time for the Museum building was hurricane proof , one of the strongest around . Faith in the building was one of the reasons that seven members of the museum staff chose to weather out the storm there instead of at home . The staff relaxed , until the building started expanding and contracting — an effect they described as akin to heavy breathing . They were taken aback as the huge hangar doors blew in and fortunately they made a move to an interior fortified wall just as the roof was torn off and the building collapsed .
Idiom: pull a face (used idiomatically: yes)
She took the glass from Sarah . ‘ It 's cognac.’ ‘ The kind Napoleon liked,’ said Catriona , wiping her eyes and pulling a face . ‘ Stop exaggerating . It 's not that bad.’
Idiom: wipe someone's eye (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Ladies and gentlemen,’ said Fatty Harris , ‘ I give you the Pony Club.’ At the sight of these serried , beautifully turned - out ranks , this huge army with their polo sticks on their collarbones like bayonets , a deafening cheer went up . Fathers rushed about with video cameras , mothers wiped their eyes . Randy and Merlin Sherwood 's beautiful mother adjusted her mascara in the driving mirror and eyed Rupert Campbell - Black who 'd just rolled up alone in a dark green Ferrari to watch his daughter , Tabitha , play in the first final for the under - fourteens . Rupert , who 'd just been appointed Tory Minister for Sport , eyed Mrs Sherwood back .
Idiom: draw the short straw (used idiomatically: yes)
Colleagues , it 's my pleasure to call upon Giles to address congress this morning . Giles . Dick , thank you for those kind words , er , specially about er my book , and I think I am considering appointing you as my agent er , you also said er that I 'd dr drawn the short straw indeed you er whispered to me that I was the sacrificial lamb this morning well we 'll see about that but I do know that I have the great honour to be invited to speak to congress this morning on behalf of the G M B parliamentary group . Now the G M B parliamentary group is a powerful and influential organization it 's well balanced between front - benchers and back - benchers , between men and women and between the youthful and , how shall I put it , the more experienced and as you would expect , its members are prominent in the attack on this weak , incompetent , and rudderless Conservative government . But I want to begin this morning by thanking you on behalf of the group , because all of us owe the G M B an enormous debt of gratitude none more than myself .
Idiom: not give a fig (used idiomatically: yes)
' I am constable of this gate tower . I hold my office direct from the king ! ' ' I do n't give a fig , ' Cranston replied , ' if you hold it direct from the Holy Father ! Where 's Vechey 's corpse ? ' He looked into the small chamber near the stairs where the mannikin probably ate , lived and slept .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
Mr Gair said : ‘ Alex really saved the day . He is a bright , intelligent young lad and he did all the right things . ‘ He was woken by the smoke and heat and he alerted his sisters , then went straight to the telephone and called me . ‘ When I arived he had led his two sisters out and they were standing by the front door . ‘ His brother was sound asleep and he could n't wake him , but he was in a room away from the fire and was safe and well.’
Idiom: first up (used idiomatically: no)
The example from the ‘ Pastoral’ Symphony has even simpler means of change . The repetitions cover two areas , each of thirty - six bars . Each time the key changes ( first up a third , then down a third ) and there is a gradual crescendo and diminuendo . Very slender ideas with which to cover such large areas , very slender indeed , but nobody has ever complained of monotony ; rather we are filled with wonder by an experience so moving and poetic . To sum up : do n't be afraid of repetition , but do use a degree of change , enough to suit the mood and effect you wish to create .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
Once again , there has been a corruption in the process of translation . In fact , the Aramaic word for Zealot was qannai , which was rendered into Greek as kananaios . ‘ Simon the Canaanite’ thus becomes one and the same as ‘ Simon Zelotes’or ‘ Simon the Zealot’ , appearing in Matthew and Mark under the former designation and in Luke and in Acts under the latter . In John 's Gospel , there appears to be yet another Simon , Simon Bar Jonas . This is generally taken to refer to ‘ Simon , son of Jonas’ , even though the man 's father is elsewhere identified as Zebedee .
Idiom: off the record (used idiomatically: yes)
Miranda nodded again . ' By the way , how 's Annabel enjoying her retirement ? ' ' Off the record ? Relieved , I think , ' Miranda reported . ' She 's neatly switched to the life of a successful New York hostess — she 's on every charity committee in town . '
Idiom: jump on the bandwagon (used idiomatically: yes)
There 's more to it than Well honestly they were laying into them so They 're just jumping on the bandwagon . Yeah I know ! It 's really bad .
Idiom: get a grip (used idiomatically: no)
Linda 's £30 collection — Sixties : Portrait Of An Era — shows the darker side of life too , as the Beatles broke up . YOU CAN CLIMB MY CAR : Paul with Heather on a Greek trip BEAT THAT : Baby Mary gets to grips with Ringo 's sticks LAST STRAW : Paul enjoys a drink FATHER 'S PRIDE : Linda captures naked Paul 's gentle joy as he holds his new baby Mary close
Idiom: at a stretch (used idiomatically: yes)
Club stories were swapped . The friendship network that is the FWC was in full swing . The caterers worked at full stretch and their kettle just managed to keep pace with the demand for tea . We did not offer the all - day hospitality of previous years but were delighted to see members at the tea parties we organised , and enjoyed chatting with visitors to our stand in the Women in the Rural Community tent . Judy Steele
Idiom: on the money (used idiomatically: yes)
That 's why he 's not doing so well at the moment : people like you to put up some pretence that you 're interested in something other than money , even if you are in the insurance business . It does n't occur to him to.’ ‘ Appen he wants to get his hands on the money from your dad 's books,’ said Bill Clough , looking around him with eager interest , as if he had made a discovery . ‘ Of course he wants to get his hands on it,’ sighed Rose , not bothering to look at him . ‘ But he wo n't as long as Viola is alive .
Idiom: steal someone's thunder (used idiomatically: yes)
As Mr Myhrvold concedes , ‘ Nobody says , gee , let 's go see a Paramount movie tonight.’ Moreover , multimedia , PDAs , PC - TVs , PC - telephones and the host of other gadgets that will soon fill shop shelves are all new businesses . Be sure , young , nimble competitors are even now planning to steal Microsoft ' s thunder in one or more of them , just as upstart firms with names like Microsoft stole the thunder of the mighty IBM . BUSINESS THIS WEEK That 's business
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
A farmer who killed a panda in a reserve in Shaanxi province has been sentenced to death , suspended for two years , according to the Chinese Farmer 's Daily . One of his accomplices was imprisoned for life , and four others were sentenced to between three and 15 years . Parts of Tunstall and Rendlesham forests , in Suffolk , are being set aside as a reserve for the woodlark , one of Britain 's rarest birds . Independent 20 , 22 March Times 19 , 20 March Guardian 13 March Energy
Idiom: catch fire (used idiomatically: no)
July 24 : Viscount 816 PK – RVU of Mandala Airlines crashed into Mount Liliboy on Ambon Island , Indonesia during bad weather 10 km from touchdown at Pattimura Airport after circling in the hope of a break in the poor visibility . All 63 passengers and seven crew killed . July 28 : YAK–18 T crashed and caught fire 50 km north of Baraul , Russia , due to pilot error . Pilot and four passengers killed . July 30 : DHC–2 Beaver floatplane N67151 crashed in bad weather near Dillingham , south west of Anchorage , Alaska .
Idiom: anything goes (used idiomatically: yes)
If I 'd had time to think , I would have used my bat , but when I saw the ball , it was just about to start its downward path . I had to react in a split second , so I was a bit hurt to see the papers on Tuesday morning suggesting that my actions in that one second cost England the Test match . But it 's a case of when you 're down , anything goes . If one of the other mainline batsmen had chipped in with even a 50 or 60 , England would probably have saved the match . The fact that not one made it past 25 in the second innings made all the difference .
Idiom: scratch the surface (used idiomatically: yes)
Pamina 's G minor aria ‘ Ach , ich fühls’ , in which she laments the apparent loss of Tamino 's love , is one of the simplest , yet most heartfelt musical expressions of grief ever penned . So far , The Magic Flute appears to fit neatly into the Viennese Singspiel tradition , with its emphasis on simple music , and dramatic effects ( monsters , choruses of dancing slaves , etc . ) drawn from pantomime . But scratch the surface , and an astonishing mystery is revealed . When the first - night audience studied their printed librettos , they may have been intrigued by the curious frontispiece . The scene depicted seems vaguely Egyptian in style , but closer examination reveals that it is spattered with Masonic symbols — a pyramid covered with hieroglyphics , a chain with a five - pointed star , a trowel , a pair of compasses , and an hour - glass .
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
By JIM WHITE GENERAL TIPS A general rule for pub rock patrons is that the quality of music will be in inverse proportion to the quality of the beer ( except at Finsbury Park 's Sir George Robey where an excellent music policy comes complete with a decent pint of Guinness ) . Another rule of thumb is that if the act is obliged to rest their microphone stand and amplifiers on beer crates instead of the stage , it will be a good evening . There are two types of pub rock occasions : those , like the one described above , where the band is likely to suffer from agrophobia ; and those where the pub is so crowded , death through asphixiation seems to be the only way to get out . There is no half - way house .
Idiom: fall from grace (used idiomatically: yes)
It was named the biggest flop of 1992 by the British Turkey Federation which presents the award at an annual charity luncheon . Comedian Rod Hull and Emu , representing European Monetary Union , collected the award on behalf of EC Commissioner Jacques Delors , who apparently answered ‘ Non’ to an invitation to attend . The fall from grace of Heritage Secretary Mr Mellor earned him joint second place with the BBC 's ratings disaster Eldorado . Home tax ‘ flood’ for town halls MILLIONS of families are expected to appeal against the valuations of their houses for council tax .
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
But if infections and other possible causes ( such as cystic fibrosis ) have been ruled out by your doctor , then you should consider the possible role of food . Diarrhoea due to food sensitivity can come on suddenly and acutely , or it may start gradually and slowly get worse . There may be physical damage to the gut wall , which can be checked by taking a tiny sample and examining it under a microscope — this is known as a biopsy . However , there can also be diarrhoea due to food without any major damage to the gut . Where there is visible damage , this may indicate coeliac disease ( see p 136 ) or infant colitis ( see p 133 ) .
Idiom: in the bag (used idiomatically: yes)
Content and quality can vary Heavy and difficult to move around Does n't seem to store well in bags Seed sowing can be difficult Compost Additives
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Ross or Rebecca is a transsexual , and should not be seen on Irish television screens,’ said Mr McGahon , deputy for Louth . ‘ It is totally wrong that RTE should allow him or her on the Birthday Show.’ A spokeswoman for the Birthday Show said : ‘ We gramme must include celebrities from all walks of life . ‘ The object is to entertain the viewer , and we believe that Rebecca will help to do that.’ Top cop bows out of force
Idiom: talk of the devil (used idiomatically: yes)
He grinned again , obviously used to getting his own way . ‘ And I 'm sure that Luke —’ He stopped suddenly , looking beyond Merrill 's face . ‘ Well , talk of the devil!’ he exclaimed . He stood up . ‘ Come and join us , Luke .
Idiom: new blood (used idiomatically: no)
We lie there , with the lamp burning , while dawn fades . Tepid sweats form , and shine , and instantly evaporate . Then our heart rate climbs , steadily , until our ears are gulping on the new blood . Now we do n't know who we are . I have to be ready for when Tod makes his lunge for the lightswitch .
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
TAKING A HARD LOOK As the Government 's review of the nuclear industry draws nearer , the prime questions are ‘ What do they want to know ? Which aspects of our operations will be put under the microscope ? By what standards will we be measured?’ As Scottish Nuclear News went to press , there was still no indication of the exact terms of reference the government will set .
Idiom: over the moon (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Then we had an inquiry from Fiji and our vice - chairman told me to reply and ask about my friends . Saddened ‘ When I found out they were still alive I was over the moon.’ But Alf was saddened by the conditions his two pals are now living in . Cousins Benny Silatoli and Josefa Ramacake , both 56 , are barely surviving in poverty - stricken Fijian villages hit by a recent hurricane .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
But they were also the golden age of doctrinal clarification . If , during this period , the social boundaries of Christianity in the late Roman world were vanishing , its doctrinal definition , by contrast , gained in sharpness . Uncertainties over the church 's Trinitarian teaching came to a head under Constantine , who thought himself divinely commissioned to secure the church 's unity . The council held under him at Nicaea in 325 enacted an agreement with the emperor 's support . But its formula of the Son 's ‘ consubstantiality’ with the Father was slow to gain general acceptance , despite Constantine 's efforts to impose it .
Idiom: get off the ground (used idiomatically: no)
‘ I intend to give it a really good go , because I have the opportunity this year which I did n't have last season.’ Ballyskeagh up and running AT long last , it seems as if work on the proposed new greyhound stadium at Ballyskeagh is about to get off the ground following the signing of a deal between Distillery and the Northern Ireland Greyhound Company . Since the initial idea first surfaced in January 1992 with racing scheduled for the spring of ‘ 93 and then the summer , it will now be the autumn at least before the traps ‘ lift.’ Indeed , many were beginning to doubt whether it would ever get off the ground but news that work will start next week will provide fresh confidence and eagerness to see what develops .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: no)
' Thanks , ' she said breathlessly . Expecting that he would now let her go and retreat down the ladder , she was startled when his large hands gripped her thighs and continued to guide her until she was standing two steps above him . Because of his superior height , his head was on a level with hers and she could feel his breath stirring her hair . With a little shiver , she muttered awkwardly , ' Well , go on , then , or are we going to stand on the ladder all day ? ' ' It has its recommendations , ' he said softly against her ear , and his tongue gently touched the lobe .
Idiom: without fail (used idiomatically: yes)
He is playing the same game as missionaries who went to Asia to convert the ‘ heathen Chinee’ and to Africa to redeem the ‘ dark continent’from barbarism . Civilizer was the verb the French colonialists used for their depredations in West Africa . Each year , without fail , a new set of alienating words and phrases is put into currency . One of the most infectious was ‘ Third World’ . It was first used by Alfred Sauvy , a French demographer , in an article published in Le Monde in which he referred to two industrialized words , one capitalist , one communist , and a tiers monde which remains largely agricultural .