Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: out of the box (used idiomatically: yes)
' Good night , Ruth , ' he said , then he rolled over and went to sleep . One Friday morning towards the end of the summer , Josh sat in the Guild Office , going through the wages list and making up the pay - packets to be doled out at the end of the day . The only sounds in the room were the scratching of his pen - nib as he made each entry , and the chink of coins as he counted them out of the cash box — and the heavy breathing of Marcus Judge , who sat at the other side of the desk , his eyes fixed upon his son . Finally Josh put down his pen and asked wearily , ' Are you planning to stay much longer , Father ? ' ' Do you have any objection to my presence here ? ' countered the old man .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
Many have also expressed anticipatory sympathy for the Mayor of St Petersburg , Anatoliy Sobchak , who will have to send the symbol of the city , the monument to Peter I , ‘ The Bronze Horseman’ , to Paris , home of the sculptor Falconet , while he sends the granite base to Finland . However , an event which followed this has caused genuine horror among museum staff and the public at large . The cause of their horror is a law being prepared behind the scenes by a parliamentary group , entitled ‘ Law on the Activities of Museums and Museum Organisations on the Territory of the Russian Federation’ . A conference attended by representatives from many of Russia 's museums assessed the law as yet another example of the amateurism and dilettantism in cultural policy , typical of the new Russian authorities . The measures proposed would disrupt the entire state museum system , and would threaten museum collections .
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: no)
In the first part of this century a shepherd , returning from his upland pasture near Rennes - le - Chateaux , stumbled and fell into a fissure in the limestone escarpment , breaking his leg . When daylight dawned he found that he was sharing space with a hoard of gold ingots , one of the lost treasures of the area . When the shepherd eventually limped back to civilisation and told his unlikely tale , the authorities located the treasure and imprisoned the shepherd for theft . The thought that the position of this find and others might be located by map using basic geometry is an intriguing one , but at least one tomb of a Knight Templar has been found to lay exactly on an important map intersection in the Rennes Valley . Treasure trail
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
But , for the over extended borrowers , the chickens have come home to roost . The NACAB has recorded a rise of 120 per cent in the number of debt related inquiries in the last 10 years . NACAB increasingly deals with clients who have run up large bills on their credit cards only to find that the repayments crippling . For such clients raising a second mortgage to pay off the credit card debt often seems the only answer . A personal triumph for the pension revolution .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
First , fold the napkin in half diagonally , then bring the left and right - hand corners up to meet at the apex ( pic 1 ) . Turn the napkin over , and fold the lower corner up slightly ( pic 2 ) . Fold the left and right - hand corners underneath the napkin on a slight diagonal , pressing folds lightly in place ( pic 3 ) . The napkin is ready to lay on a plate ( pic 4 ) . GH COMPETITION
Idiom: lie low (used idiomatically: yes)
But the mother - of - three is now recovering at her home in Dalkey near Dublin and expects to have to wear a lightweight cast for only another five weeks . Jacko in shopping row MICHAEL Jackson lay low in his hotel room preparing for his final concert in Taiwan today , while newspapers , consumer groups and politicians fumed at the superstar 's offstage shopping style . The anger was triggered by a clash between photographers and bodyguards outside a toy store that had been cleared of shoppers so that Jackson could go on a shopping spree . Jingle ' star '
Idiom: to die for (used idiomatically: yes)
Was he the assassin ? I wondered . Did Benjamin carry secret orders from his uncle that Selkirk and Ruthven were to die for the common good ? If so , who would be next ? I dismissed the thoughts as too disturbing and concentrated instead on Selkirk 's poem .
Idiom: make light of (used idiomatically: yes)
There was no uncertainty about Walter Smith 's choice of team , however , the manager playing Andy Goram , Richard Gough and Trevor Steven on a weather - ravaged surface unhelpful to anyone carrying a knock . Robertson , Ferguson and Gordon were the home side 's absentees . It was difficult for anyone to make light of the conditions but the Brugge forward , Amokachi , did his best to advertise the obvious pace he possesses during an opening in which the Belgian side did everything except score . Six minutes before half time , they were punished for their shortcomings when Durrant gave Rangers the lead . A perfectly - weighted pass from Steven was treated with the respect it deserved by the midfield player as he swept the ball beyond Verlinden .
Idiom: on someone's mind (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ So we follow that route,’ Paula said firmly . ‘ The big question is — will we ever reach the Swiss border?’ Paula asked the question which had preyed on her mind while they were drinking coffee from room service in Tweed 's suite . She took a deep breath , nerved herself , dived in . ‘ Is n't it about time you told me what really happened back at your flat in Radnor Walk?’
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
Donaldson 's Hospital and the nearby George Watson Hospital School , both impressive buildings , provided tempting targets , and received some bombs . Donaldson 's took a near miss , but George Watson 's was not so lucky , its top two floors being destroyed . The Zeppelin moved up towards the Castle , dropping large numbers of bombs but many fell short of the Castle . However , another whisky warehouse went up , illuminating beautifully the imposing building that is Donaldson 's . It was too tempting a target , and the Zeppelin aimed for it with the last of its deadly cargo , but this time , they overshot the mark .
Idiom: short shrift (used idiomatically: yes)
Give little Laura my love.’ ‘ Tomorrow , Sunday,’ Markby said to Pearce on his return , ‘ I am going to have free . Let no one mention horses to me or they will get very short shrift.’ By Sunday morning the grey skies had cleared away . The wind had dropped and air was fresh and crisp .
Idiom: fall into place (used idiomatically: yes)
If I were experienced and sophisticated like Marise , he might get involved with me anyway , because he 'd know that I understood the game and would n't get hurt . But he 's not prepared to … take advantage of me because he knows that I 'm inexperienced and that it would be too important to me . The thoughts came with a fumbling sort of logic and finally fell neatly into place . Fifteen minutes later Belinda fell equally neatly into bed in her lilac cotton and lace nightgown . She did n't fall asleep , however , for a very long time .
Idiom: up to speed (used idiomatically: no)
I think Newsome , Fairclough and Kelly have been playing brill . I am ashamed of all the slagging off I dished out to Jony boy , the radio 5 commentator ( Alan Green I think ) said Newsome was the most underratted center half in the league ! ! It is a pity our goal scoring has dried up ( probably due to Speed and Wallace being injured ) It was sad to see Rocky go but at least we got a player back , White seems a strong and determined player and has fitted in quite well already . However Strachen , Kelly and White all in the same area of the field seemed to get in each oters way against QPR ) .
Idiom: knock it off (used idiomatically: no)
Mary - Lou ! Thundered Mademoiselle , tell me what is the matter with you , I demand it ? Oh , Mademoiselle there 's a , there 's a simply enormous giant spider in my desk leave it alone , you 'll just knock it off stammered Mary - Lou quite pale . A spider ! Said Mademoiselle , and you make this fuss and call out so loudly that we all jump in fear .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
I see . Then when the cheques stop , then check with your bank further two weeks go straight to the bank . Okay . If there are any queries on that you have n't erm received the money or anything just get back to us and er we 'll
Idiom: make the cut (used idiomatically: yes)
Alternatively , your camcorder will have backspace as a standard feature and can be used as the editing recorder provided that it has a video - in socket ; your VCR is then used as the source or replay machine . Both machines should have cue / review to speed up the location and setting of edit - points , this being the most time - consuming part of the process . If you have single - frame advance , you will also find this very useful to help you find particular frames on which to make a cut . Assemble edits are made much easier if the camera - originals are all shot on one cassette . The material should first be logged in the form of a shot - list giving brief descriptions of the shots , their tape counter references and preferably their running times .
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
They move by drifting . Because the creatures of the plankton individually are small , they are not always visible to the naked eye . They are revealed in their millions , though , under the microscope . And the total quantity of phytoplankton is enormous ; so much , that it produces 80 per cent of all the oxygen of the atmosphere . The loss of land plants would make a difference to the chemistry of the atmosphere ( and of course would be a tragedy ) .
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: yes)
Although Tibbs warned Benn that he needed the last two rounds , I already had him five rounds up — and so did Eubank . He said : ‘ Nigel 's tactics were commendable . I was pleased that he was more diplomatic afterwards instead of being as over the top as ever . He conducted himself properly . That 's a sign of the new maturity he says he possesses and I respect him for it . ’
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
Faldo took his 1992 winnings to a world record £1.5m , while Norman 's only consolation was that the £190,234 runner's-up cheque made him the first player in history to breech the $10 million barrier in career earnings . Faldo could n't have had any idea of the tropical storm brewing when he and Norman exchanged birdies at the first two holes . But Norman , who ended his 28-month exile from the winner 's rostrum in the Canadian Open in September , unleashed a punishing run of three birdies in the next five holes to reach the turn in 31 against Faldo 's 33 . Faldo still enjoyed a three-stroke cushion , but the pumped-up Australian resembled an executioner as he hacked away at the Open champion 's lead . Norman birdied the 11th , coaxed home a six-yarder for a two at the 13th , and surged ahead with a two-shot swing coming on the next green .
Idiom: fall on deaf ears (used idiomatically: yes)
Royston - Cambridge and Watford - St Albans fill - in schemes were also approved . But the government proved it was no pushover when ruling that the Far North line from Inverness to Wick / Thurso could not share the new road bridge over the Dornoch Firth . All pleas fell on deaf ears . BR meanwhile accelerated its elimination of older locomotive types redundant through a reduction of trip workings and arrival of new designs . The net effect was the end of the Class 25 and 27 , and a remarkable stack of over thirty asbestos - contaminated loco bodies piled high in Vic Berry 's Leicester scrapyard as he struggled to cope with the influx .
Idiom: make a move (used idiomatically: yes)
Surely he would n't … ? Her heart tightened within her . But he made no move to close the gap between them , as his deep blue gaze continued to caress her . ' And this hair … ' He let his fingers tangle in its brightness , sending jolts of electricity skittering across her scalp .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
There is a strong moral argument within the labour movement , that rejoke rejects workfare and other half - baked schemes which do not give a fair day 's work for a real fair day 's pay . We want real jobs for real money . This union along with the Labour Party should have no with the philosophy of workfare , it once and once and for all reject this philosophy and send it back to the bad old days of workhouses , parish guardians , the real Victorian values . Colleagues , reject the ideas of workfare , make sure the ideas are not adopted by the Labour Party Two eight three formally seconded ?
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
What 's this ? This is yours . Oh yes , I can see what you 've done , I tried to ring you and it said erm out of order , cos I was ringing to say I 'm coming to the bank this morning so I 'll pop in for coffee . I thought god is it , three times up the
Idiom: anyone's guess (used idiomatically: yes)
And since the Tories have been parked in Number 10 for the past 13 years , they 'll do as targets when the custard pies come to be thrown . Since , however , no one really trusts the opposition ( and this also appears to be true all over the world ) , little of this dissatisfaction rubs off to anyone else 's advantage . It 's anyone 's guess who 'll win the election . But if it is a hung parliament , this will be because we do n't really want anyone to have any power . The message is : we want instant gratification , but we do n't think any of you can deliver it .
Idiom: have a cow (used idiomatically: yes)
One dairy farm he visited on the way to Albuquerque had 750 cows which were milked three times a day through a 24/24 side - exit herringbone parlour . Forage and concentrate was all bought in and the animals were kept in outdoor feedlots . This was a small farm , with its neighbour carrying about 1,500 cows , and the largest unit in the area had about 3,000 cows . Robin found the average milk - yield for the area was about 33 kg per cow daily . Dunmore
Idiom: take a dive (used idiomatically: yes)
Cornelius had to shout . There was a rat - at - tat of machinegun fire and several windows shattered . The auctioneer took the dive for cover . He took his microphone with him . ' Do I hear forty ? ' he called .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
State employees and Medicaid recipients are also required to join . The idea — a version of managed competition — is that each pool , with its thousands of members , will be in a strong position to negotiate for a menu of medical - benefit packages . Health - care providers — physicians , hospitals and pharmaceutical companies — will be compelled to come together to offer these packages or risk losing patients . When Florida 's Governor Lawton Chiles outlined this plan early in the year , he faced formidable opposition from entrenched groups : doctors , hospitals , insurers , businesses ( which feared tax increases ) and state workers ( who thought the new benefits would fall short of what they already have ) . But this phalanx of enemies , all with influence in the legislature , did not present an unbroken front . Doctors , for example , were split on the plan : primary - care doctors were open to reform ; their colleagues in esoteric specialities balked .
Idiom: spot on (used idiomatically: yes)
J. B. I was going to borrow me Mum 's crucifix as well . I thought that was going a bit over the top ( laughs ) . I mean , absolutely , spot on , why I did it . You know , so personally for my area of work I just wanted them to think they were getting someone respectable . R.B. Yes , so you were buying respectability ?
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: no)
( Mutengene is a harder word than Sasse so I had better give you the pronunciation : Moo - teng - genay . ) Gilbert had served my Mass every morning and was now writing to tell me about the approaching Easter examinations and was hoping to do well . It struck me that in calling me his heavenly brother he had gone straight to the heart of all our missionary endeavours . The Church , and that means all of us , including you , not just priests and bishops , has to spread the Good News to all the world . It has to bring everybody to know God , and to give everybody the chance of the everlasting happiness with God that we call heaven .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
The man growled angrily . ‘ If you think I 'm falling into that trap you really have picked the wrong man to tangle with . I 'm on to you , Burns , and I 'm going to put an end to your little game — once and for all!’ Rory stood on the back doorstep , gripped by a moment of rare indecision . What on earth was she supposed to do ?
Idiom: get wind of (used idiomatically: yes)
Napoleon III 's objections to Montpensier were well known in European diplomatic circles and so the candidature was unlikely to find favour with the other governments , as was indeed the case — with one exception . In Berlin , Bismarck let it be known that he saw nothing wrong with the proposed solution , though he backed away from too openly supporting it in the face of a general outcry from the other European courts . His retreat was , however , purely tactical , for the hunter had got wind of his quarry and from early 1869 he began to lay his traps , with the certain knowledge that he was on the right track . Napoleon III was well aware of the danger posed by prolonged disputes about the Spanish succession and in an attempt to bring the problem to a quick end , he proposed as a ‘ neutral’ candidate the Portuguese Prince , Fernando , husband and former King - Consort of Queen Maria . Ferdinand , as he was originally named , was of the house of Saxe - Coburg and Napoleon III may well have felt that this candidacy would be pleasing to England and that it would at a personal level strengthen his ties with the English Royal House .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: no)
She was lonely , and she wanted to see him . She was n't alone . Several times she caught him looking at her unguardedly , and heat flared in his eyes , to be instantly banked as he brought it under control with his iron will . But it was enough . She knew he wanted her , and even though it was only for her body Kath was so desperate for his attention that she was ready to settle even for that .
Idiom: turn the tables (used idiomatically: no)
But what I was going to tell you about this loan and I was there on this Friday morning when we were drawing our money , and the men were bringing their their s life savings to lend to the union . And I saw one man the fact that he was me uncle do n't make any difference , but he was , and and he was very religious , very Christian man , S Sunday School superintendent . But I saw him with his cap full of golden sovereigns and turned on the table and lent them all he 'd got . And everyone were paid back , you know . That that 's good , is n't it ?
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: no)
Equally they recognise that their pupils are exposed to sophisticated and easily accessible media which graphically , and at times gratu - itously , portray the violence and disharmony that exists in society . It is a fact that since 1976 , when Jim Callaghan made his celebrated speech at Ruskin , the education system has been subjected to an unprecedented flow of Education Acts ( 1980 , 1981 , 1986 , 1988 ) , committees of inquiry ( Warnock , Taylor , Elton ) and curriculum documents from HMI , DES , ‘ think tanks’ and academics . Schools have battled valiantly , however , to come to terms with the new demands of curriculum and examination reform in a climate of industrial unrest and limited resources . Moreover it seems ironic that while the Secretary of State for Education attacks , and rightly attacks , the appalling attendance rates at certain schools , and apportions blame for this situation by claiming that children are bored , he offers a solution , in the form of the national curriculum , of a diet of mathematics , English , science , history , geography , a foreign language — all hamstrung with a pedestrian approach to evaluation in the form of bench - marks . As Ted Wragg says : ‘ this list of subjects I did when I was at school in the 1950s .
Idiom: make tracks (used idiomatically: no)
Polygram Records PO Box 36 Clyde Works Grove Road Romford Essex RM6 4QR Dear Sir/Madam I am writing to ask if it might be possible for Oxford University Press to make use of the following tracks in a non-broadcast educational video . ‘ Walk of Life ’ by Dire Straits ‘ Message in a Bottle ’ by Police
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: no)
They have not finished analysing their data and getting it ready ; still , their current bullishness about their earlier result is not that of people who already know their next experiment to have failed . Many other experiments are planned , or in progress . The experiment that Dr Himes and Dr Jelley seem to acknowledge as a potential make - or - break is one being planned by another Oxford physicist , David Wark , who will use a particularly well - understood and trusted magnetic spectrometer at Britain 's national physical laboratory . Under the experimental onslaught being marshalled , most expect the 17 keV neutrino to wither and die . But if Dr Wark 's experiment finds it , or if any respectable magnetic spectrometer defects to the heavy - neutrino camp , then the fax machines of the physicists ' world will be clogged with ideas .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
If you see exposed wires on street lights , call CLARENCE immediately and we will make this repair a top priority . TRAFFIC LIGHTS When these are out of order they cause delays , traffic jams and accidents . BLOCKED ROAD DRAINS Blocked gullies are a problem as rainwater causes flooding when it ca n't drain away .
Idiom: on the make (used idiomatically: yes)
Underneath his impudent and occasionally violent behaviour lay a fundamentally nice , simple , easy - going , exceptionally warm - hearted character , in whom Minton took much pleasure . Because Ricky was the first boyfriend to live openly with Minton , he attracted comment . Along Minton 's homosexual friends there were those who liked to dismiss Ricky , perhaps out of jealousy , as a dumb blond tart , a male Betty Grable , a powder puff on the make . Michael Wishart thought that , apart from his looks , Ricky had ‘ no point’ for Minton . Some tell how , even in front of Minton , Ricky would make passes at others .
Idiom: place in the sun (used idiomatically: no)
Gubbio — Roman remains The swimming pool is near the castle A place in the sun overshadowed by history Montemaggiore The main road from Perugia to Gubbio is curiously known as ‘ pigeon road’ .
Idiom: way to go (used idiomatically: no)
All right . Next decision . Which way to go ? The trail seemed obvious enough , but my intended killer had come and gone that way — must have done — and if he should return for any reason I would n't want to meet him . I had a compass in my pocket .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: no)
The company is in talks with its banks about a capital reconstruction . City : Ford still ahead CAR sales last month failed to respond to the Budget tax cuts but Ford has retained its market leadership while falling short of its objective of a 30 p.c . share . Industry estimates are that sales were down by 12 p.c . on the year at about 140,000 . City : Atlas plunges
Idiom: horses for courses (used idiomatically: yes)
letters Strip tease Congratulations on producing in your September issue , one of the most thoroughly amusing pieces I have ever seen . If ever there was a case for the old adage ‘ horses for courses’ , ‘ Strip Search’ was it ! Kathryn Flett 's well - written and often amusing text was coupled with the most outrageous designs Britain 's ‘ top design teams’ could come up with . Only Paul Smith and Colin Harvey ( I thought his full - time job as Howard Kendall 's assistant at Everton would have kept him too busy to put pencil and crayon to paper ! ) got close to producing something workable , but even Smithy 's attempt in green would have fallen foul to Mr Clough 's watchful eye .