Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: come a cropper (used idiomatically: yes)
It tastes appalling.’ [ AT HOME IN THRUSH GREEN ] It so happened that the first person to come a cropper on the steps was the warden Jane Cartwright , who was a good deal younger and more agile than those in her care . Across the green , Doctor Lovell heard for the first time about the accident at the old people 's homes , and was magnanimous enough not to make any comment about Edward Young 's steps in front of his partners . Nevertheless , he felt a certain satisfaction in hearing that his fears were not groundless , although he had every sympathy for poor Jane Cartwright 's mishap .
Idiom: break the ice (used idiomatically: yes)
We had met at parties previously , but had carefully avoided one another after exchanging polite hallos . Ronnie had written to me a few months before , saying that she had hesitated to get in touch but wanted me to know how concerned she was about John . Her kindness broke the ice and as we began to chat I discovered that instead of feeling awkward I was eager to talk to her . Our thoughts and concerns about John ran along similar lines . Ronnie had loved John too , and knew his vulnerabilities .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: yes)
TWO VIEWS OF LIBERTY As we have seen , during the years from about 1080 to 1095 , Anselm had given much thought to the problem of liberty , and had reached a definition of free will which left no room for that freedom of choice which is commonly regarded as its essential feature . He defined freedom of the will as the power of making , only and always , the right choice in accordance with the will of God . The foundation of this freedom is a loving acceptance of the creature 's limitations within the created universe . But while Anselm was engaged in these researches , another definition of liberty was emerging , chiefly in the circle of Gregory VII , which was destined to have growing influence during the next hundred years and beyond .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: yes)
And what first-class entertainment it was — a tribute to the hard work and team effort put in by staff and children from the top four classes . Behind the scenes pupils assisted with scene shifting , props , makeup or designing the attractive wall displays and posters . Rostra on different levels denoted the central acting area , with massed choirs on one side . From the other Charles Biggs , Daniel Boden , Frank Bradshaw and Terry Martin took turns to narrate the potted version of Andrew Lloyd Webber 's popular musical . Lesley Burt did a grand job as Joseph whose gift of the many-coloured coat arouses the envy of his brothers , played by Kelly Turner , Shelley Black , Kimberley Curran , Alex Green , Leighton Girling , Sally Waine , David Roberts , Richard Bryant , Nicola Dyer , Donna Kemp and Becky Woodger .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
Available as both saloon and fastback , the Rover 820 Si 16v is designed to beat the system on two counts . For a start , it slips under the 2 litre tax threshold . It also falls short of the cut - off figure of £ 19,250 . Together , that amounts to an annual tax saving of up to £ 1,000 , compared to cars in a higher tax bracket . It would wrong , however , to assume that the Rover 820 Si 16v had been assembled by a team of accountants .
Idiom: come of age (used idiomatically: yes)
They provide quite a full ‘ snapshot’ of popular conceptions of class , and of the class / politics relationship , some of the elements of which remain relevant today . But to progress any further one must consider the ‘ class'/politics relationship in Britain in a broader historical context . To remain with Butler and Stokes for a moment , these writers argued , in the book based on the results of their survey , that the pattern of party support is the result of three distinct processes : the physical replacement of the electorate through birth , coming of age and death ; the formation of enduring party alignments on the basis of religion , class or long - term issues ; and response to immediate events and issues . On the basis of this schema it can be argued that the high - water mark of class / party correlation in the 1960s , registered above , was not so much related to the current policies of the political parties , as to the ‘ delayed’ effect of the social conditions of the interwar depression years and the substantial shifts within popular ideology and political alignment during and immediately after the second world war . From 1945 until the 1960s the replacement of the electorate strengthened the ‘ working class’ support for the Labour Party , but at the same time the current basis for such an alignment was weakening :
Idiom: high and low (used idiomatically: yes)
Degrees of national wealth SIR —‘The South’ is now widely used as the collective term for non - industrialized nations , with the implication that there is either a consistent trend of a major discontinuity in the relationship between latitude and socio - economic development . Within the Northern Hemisphere both these effects occur , with a marked decline in per capita gross national produce ( GNP ) between high and low latitudes . National data for the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index ( HDI ; based on life expectancy and adult literacy , as well as income ) behave similarly . However , a fully global analysis of these development indices shows that the geographic distribution of high living standards is bimodal , with a closer association to temperature than latitude ( see figure ) .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Although nobody ever remarked upon the fact , it was tacitly acknowledged now that Nails slept with Firelight ; he had been discovered by them all at one time or another early in the morning still asleep . Firelight was now as gentle as a lamb , and would lie down and sleep beside him instead of pacing round her box all night . Hoomey was splashing away on his third length when Nutty , getting bored , got up to fetch a toffee out of her blazer pocket where it was tossed down under the cupressus hedge . Just as she reached it , she heard voices on the other side of the hedge . Half bent down , she froze with horror .
Idiom: way to go (used idiomatically: yes)
I made a mistake while writing . Is there a way to go back ? Try to use the following combination : Ctrl~+~Z
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: yes)
He said this very seriously and with a hint of the single - mindedness and dedication he was eventually to show in realising this ambition . A lesser young man would almost certainly have been laughed at and called a big - head , but Michael had already shown us that , in spite of the clowning off set at work , he was a ' pro ' , disciplined as well as talented , and quick as well as anxious to learn . ' Although made in black - and - white , Sir Francis Drake is still sold to television stations around the world . During 1990 , Antenne 3 , a new private TV company in Spain , was screening it . Many familiar faces pop up during the twenty - six episodes , including Warren Mitchell , Glynn Edwards , Isobel Black , Nigel Davenport , Susan Hampshire , David McCallum , Patrick Allen , Barry Foster and Nanette Newman .
Idiom: to die for (used idiomatically: no)
His show is continuous , His presence without exception . He is both far away , yet ‘ nearer than breathing , closer than hands and feet’ . Only the ego has to die , for this knowledge to begin to shine through . SUBTLE LEVELS OF PERCEPTION Plants , then , are alive — sentient — they perceive and respond to the environment .
Idiom: get a grip (used idiomatically: yes)
She turned fractionally away from Slater and drank deeply from her glass . She looked at Graham , not smiling , then her lips trembled and a small smile did appear . Park , you idiot , Graham told himself , you 're looking at this woman as if she was ET , Get a grip of yourself . He smiled back . Slater giggled briefly , then said to Graham,"Poor Sara married a cad who had the ill taste to become manager of a sewage works .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ You do n't look very comfortable . Have a cushion.’ He took one from an armchair and put it behind her back . Then he sat on the floor beside her , half turned towards her , leaning on one elbow . They drank their coffee and he took both cups and leaned across her to put them on the settle .
Idiom: fight tooth and nail (used idiomatically: yes)
Warrington South MP Mike Hall has slammed the Government 's rail privatisation policy as ‘ the politics of the madhouse.’ It could be disastrous for the North West generally and for Warrington in particular , he said . Labour MP Mr Hall said the motorway link which is being fought tooth - and - nail by action groups in Cheshire and south Manchester was completely unnecessary . He said it cost a vast amount to build each new mile of motorway . Instead of building an unnecessary motorway link between the M56 , M6 and M62 the money should instead should be spent on up - grading the west coast main line .
Idiom: off the hook (used idiomatically: yes)
If you are conducting an interview in less formal surroundings , in your own home for instance , or in a workshop , the same principles apply . Try to find somewhere where the interviewee can feel reasonably relaxed and you yourself can feel confident . If you have no secretary to fend off telephone calls turn the telephone off or take it off the hook while you are conducting the interview . Do not try to hold an interview , however informal , while ‘ on the run’ . Always find time to sit down and devote your entire attention to what you are doing .
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
Then a harder , rougher feel , her legs forced open , rough bark serrating the flesh , butting against her , harder , bruising . She squirmed with pain , but was helpless in the grip of the renewing forest , and she felt her body entered , a single motion that never stopped , just filled her , swelled out , tearing her apart inside , fingers of pain , shards of agony , curling snakes of pressure that reached inside to the tips of her toes , her fingers , up her spine and round her ribs , rising higher , filling her stomach , then her lungs , then her throat . Stretching her eyes open to see the light , bulging with the strain , Tallis helplessly experienced her rising gorge . She was going to be sick . Her stomach churned .
Idiom: go west (used idiomatically: no)
Last night Graveney confirmed that he 'd made the allegation but was ‘ obviously very disappointed ’ at the bid to veto him by the Pakistan Board . ‘ It is a decision that has to be made by the International Cricket Council and , under their rules , I am basically not allowed to say anything , ’ he said . ‘ But I am very disappointed as I was looking forward to going to the West Indies and seeing what promised to be a great series . ’ Graveney explained that his comments in 1987 had been about events during the 1951 England tour of Pakistan . ‘ Obviously they have very long memories but I am not going to get involved in any more comments , ’ added the former Gloucester , Worcester and England batsman and BBC commentator .
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: yes)
Yes . Thank goodness we did n't . Well it was one of those things was n't it ? Well it 's a good job mum came . Mm mm .
Idiom: have a ball (used idiomatically: no)
Crewe finished the first half the stronger and were possibly unlucky not to go in with a lead , the Leeds defense was looking fragile ( Fairclough was back at central def. — agghhhh ) , the midfield ( esp . Macca and Strach ) was ineffective , Hodge ran around like a headless chicken trying to pull down every Crewe player he came near and White and Deane were not in the game . Deane seems to have to problem of going to collect the ball on the wings and as a result he 's never in the centre when the ball comes across — I hope someone will tell him that centre forwards are supposed to hang around near the goal . In the second half Leeds looked slightly better but almost went 2–1 down when poor marking let one the Crewe forwards in with a chance , the ball came across from the right wing and the bloke had a shot at goal from about 12 yards out that only just missed . Leeds fortunately got their act together and started passing the ball around and a couple of minutes later Forrester volleyed in from ten yards after good work on the right by Dave White .
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
If I start thinking of It as a person , entitled to a dignified end , the next thing will be of course that I have no right to end It at all . But all the same— not that way . And not , by the same token , all on my own . Was I respecting the life within me , or pandering to my own healthy terror or going through what Alice went through ? I was n't at all sure .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
Although all organisms show adaptive behaviour , for it is a necessary condition of existence , many highly successful life forms have managed very well without the capacities to learn and remember — even without brains . Think of a sunflower turning its flower head towards a source of light — and therefore of energy . The sunflower does not learn by experience to turn its head more effectively as it matures , or not to turn at all if it is repeatedly electrically shocked every time it does so . The flower - head turning behaviour , adaptive or not , is a ' given ' property of the organism , fixed within its genetic and developmental programme . Such a given behaviour ( innate is the conventional term , but I prefer to avoid it if possible , for it carries along with it a load of redundant ideological baggage ) ensures that appropriate responses are made to particular stimuli without the need for trial - and - error learning , but at the expense of limits to both the range and the flexibility of the response .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: yes)
hit the sack , he 'll kiss your arse to your face and kick you in the teeth behind your back . Maintenance Man ( Song )
Idiom: in the running (used idiomatically: yes)
Chairman , ladies and gentlemen . Well I 'm delighted to see so many of you have taken the trouble to come and join us today for yet another annual public meeting and in welcoming you can I give a particular welcome to our new chairman Mike Betts , thank him very much indeed for joining us . He has an excellent background in support , not involved in in the running but continuous interest and support and for him to take on this challenge shows a particular kind of commitment to the work of the Save The Children Fund and we 're very grateful to him for taking it on and I sincerely hope that he will enjoy the experience , especially after meeting all of you today . Mike thank you for joining us . Today is an important occasion for the fund .
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
( Blinking ) Constantly ! Isabel : Its ma rule of thumb that if a wean 's auld enough tae ask fur titty then he 's too auld tae get but then — Murdo : Different strokes for different folks .
Idiom: kicking and screaming (used idiomatically: yes)
I reckon we need to get the slings out again.’ Lowly paid foot the bill SHADOW Chancellor Gordon Brown taunted Norman Lamont that the Government had been forced kicking and screaming into stealing Labour 's economic clothes . The Chancellor had totally failed to come up with an industrial strategy to move Britain out of recession , Mr Brown said . He accused the Chancellor of forcing the lowly paid to be the ‘ scapegoats’ of his economic failures .
Idiom: in the running (used idiomatically: yes)
Also going well are Hereford United down in Division three … two wins in a row now … it was 3 - 0 against Wigan last Saturday … one - nil against Walsall in the Autoglass Trophy on Tuesday night and they 've got to play the Saddlers again tomorrow Colin Anderson is hoping to be back after suspension … Howard Clark is back in the running … Chris Pike is facing a late fitness test … Walsall do well at home … lets hope Hereford can do well away …
Idiom: one of those days (used idiomatically: no)
It was Harold Shoosmith she had in mind then , mistakenly thinking that Dimity was attracted to him . She went for a walk one spring afternoon to think things out . It was one of those clear mild days which come occasionally in mid - winter and lift the spirits with their hint of coming springtime . Catkins were already fluttering on the nut hedge behind Albert 's house and the sky was a pale translucent blue , as tender as a thrush 's egg - shell . Two mottled partridges squatted in the grass not far from the pathway , like a pair of fat round bottles .
Idiom: fall by the wayside (used idiomatically: yes)
A century later , the President of France , Francois Mitterand , was present to be roundly booed by the two war - painted rugby tribes — the black and red Pirates of Toulon and the red and white Warriors of Biarritz . He made the journey along with the 26-odd winning captains from the recent past , including ‘ Monsieur Rugby’ Jean Prat ( Lourdes ) , and to the most successful captain in the history of French club rugby , Béziers scrum - half Richard Astre . General bewilderment had set in by this year 's quarter - final stage , by which point most of the big names — Toulouse , Racing , Agen , Narbonne and Béziers — had fallen by the wayside . Meanwhile the holders , Bègles - Bordeaux , became the victims of lacklustre Chalon in the first round of the knock - out stage , while much - fancied outfits like Grenoble , Tarbes , Dax and Bayonne followed suit in the subsequent rounds . It was as if the entire French rugby community had conspired to give its favourite son , Serge Blanco , the opportunity to restage his exit in the white heat of Parc des Princes in the centennial final .
Idiom: two heads are better than one (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm a great fan of your Nathan Latimer ! ' ' Why not ? Two heads are better than one . ' ' How super ! Shall we talk about it over that cup of tea ? '
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
The Woolworths Young Athletes League gets underway tomorrow , when Middlesbrough and Cleveland travel to Sheffield . There is a Northern Division 2 Tyne fixture at the Cleveland County Stadium , while Jarrow 's Monkton Stadium hosts a Northern Division 1 East fixture . FOOTBALL/ Make or break for Newcastle/ Boro still hopeful of number two slot BORO boss Lennie Lawrence issued a rallying call to the troops last night with the cry : ' We have n't lost ground with Leicester yet ' . Lawrence insisted that the Ayresome Park outfit could still catch second - placed Leicester and snatch the second automatic promotion spot . On the eve of the home game with Bristol Rovers , a buoyant Lawrence said : ' I believe there will be one final twist in the tail .
Idiom: on edge (used idiomatically: yes)
On the road to Woodstock and Bicester lies Woodgreen , an 18th . century residential suburb . This area contains some of the best designed and well - kept Georgian houses in the town , as well as a 19th . century blanket warehouse which has been converted into flats , all grouped round a small green . Eight miles North - west from Oxford on the southern edge of the Cotswolds is Woodstock . It is a charming and prosperous town renowned for its unspoilt,18th . century buildings . The town was believed to have been founded in 1163 though most of the surviving old buildings date from the 16th . and 17th . centuries .
Idiom: at the end of the day (used idiomatically: yes)
Most have yet to make the transition from paper to hardware . None but the dedicated fusion watcher would want to read what is essentially a conference report , even though it does contain a scattering of important insights into the prospects for fusion . But at least the fusion community needs such volumes to remind it that at the end of the day the scientific juggling will come to nothing if it does not lead to a convenient and not too expensive source of electricity . Who puts the tingle into music ? Music , mind and brain Edited by Manfred Clynes , Plenum pp 430 . $ 39.50
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
The next antislavery use of the convention was in 1837–8 as a weapon to push parliament to end apprenticeship . It constituted an even clearer expression of provincial mobilisation and disregard for parliamentary initiative and manoeuvre than 1833 . Growing conviction that apprenticeship was essentially slavery by another name came to a head with Joseph Sturge 's return from an investigative visit to the West Indies in May 1837 . After urging measures upon the virtually comatose London committee of the Anti - Slavery Society he concluded urgent action would not follow ‘ unless the friends of the Cause in the Country exerted themselves without waiting for information and instructions from London and that many of our friends in London would be strengthened by a spontaneous movement in the Country’ . Spontaneity was given organised form on 11 October when antislavery delegates from Bath , Bristol , Exeter , Gloucester , Taunton , Devizes and Westbury met at Bath and resolved to work for the end of apprenticeship by August 1838 .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
This easy - money policy , backed by regulators who failed to regulate , created unprecedented housing and consumer credit bubbles in the US and other countries , notably those that shared America ’s policy orientation . The bubble has now burst , and these economies are heading into a steep recession . At the core of the crisis was the run - up in housing and stock prices , which were way out of line with historical benchmarks . Greenspan stoked two bubbles – the Internet bubble of 1998 - 2001 and the subsequent housing bubble that is now bursting . In both cases , increases in asset values led US households to think that they had become vastly wealthier , tempting them into a massive increase in their borrowing and spending – for houses , automobiles , and other consumer durables .
Idiom: in light of (used idiomatically: yes)
Alternatively they may effect a leveraged buy - out of a number of businesses with a view to later reconstruction to realise " hidden " reserves which will effectively finance the acquisition of the core business they wish to retain , and enable the borrowings to be redeemed . Different commercial requirements will throw up different tax considerations , not all of which can be covered comprehensively here , though it is hoped there is sufficient to indicate what further research will be required . The tax aspects of a management buy - out must of course be considered in the light of company law , accounting and financing requirements , so there should be discussion amongst the various advisers acting for management , the banks and institutional investors . The vendors will have their own requirements , which will often conflict with those of the managers and Newco , so compromise is often necessary . Because the vendors and management know each other , a management buy - out is often a " friendly deal " .
Idiom: do me a favour (used idiomatically: yes)
With her uplifted left foot she was shoving the next foster mother square in the mouth . She smacked her new supply of gum in satisfaction . ' Do me another favour , will you ? Get rid of that bubble gum before we get there ? ' Gilly obligingly took the gum out of her mouth while Miss Ellis 's eyes were still in the mirror .
Idiom: play ball (used idiomatically: yes)
Nilsson added : ' With a little luck I 'm sure we can go all the way . Our style is suited to European competition . ' We like to play the ball around like the Continentals , but we still work as hard as any team in England . ' NILSSON : Confident Gord help us says Strachan