Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: get off the ground (used idiomatically: no)
THE detective who spearheaded a campaign to provide Darlington with a child protection suite is to leave the town 's CID to head the fraud squad at Durham Police headquarters . Det Insp Gordon Williams has recently been involved with raising money to set up a suite in Darlington where child abuse and rape victims can be interviewed in pleasant surroundings . ‘ One of my regrets is leaving this project just as it has started to get off the ground,’ said Det Insp Williams , who started out as a PC in the Cheshire Constabulary in 1963 . ‘ But I am looking forward to my new role as it will be a fresh challenge for me.’ He was a detective sergeant from 1975 to 1982 when he was promoted to the rank of inspector .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
It was narrow self - interest , according to his critics , which led the General to veto Britain 's entry into the Common Market : in Macmillan 's words , " he wants to be the cock on a small dunghill instead of having two cocks on a larger one " . Even more damaging to the larger cause of Europe were de Gaulle 's continuing efforts to restrict supranational integration . These efforts came to a head in 1965 , when for seven months France boycotted the EEC Commission and Council of Ministers and thereby precipitated one of the gravest crises in the Community 's history . Though the crisis was eventually resolved ( by the so - called Luxembourg compromise of January 1966 ) and though de Gaulle largely succeeded , in the short term at least , in blocking supranationalism , his policy was widely deplored as a blow to European unification . Some saw a tragic irony in this , since they suspected that de Gaulle was the only person " with the necessary authority to head a Europe that desperately wanted his leadership "
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: no)
Western correspondents have been refused entry to the country . The violence began after an attempt by President Nicolae Ceausescu to rally support for his regime turned into a massive protest against the Romanian dictator . Late last night , Tass reported that bursts of automatic fire were heard all around the city as ' several tens of thousands of people ' gathered on Bucharest 's University Square . The demonstrators were ' surrounded by Romanian army soldiers , special troops armed with truncheons and plastic shields and security forces , ' the report added . Two Tass reporters said tear - gas shells were fired over the heads of the demonstrators at around 11 pm after an army officer had appealed in vain through a megaphone for them to disperse .
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
Parents find it extremely difficult to provide even the basic necessities for life today , and certainly when you begin to think of the sort of things that most children in this country have on a day - to - day basis — an ice cream , a trip to the swimming baths and so on— these families do n't er it 's a major crisis to provide for example sixty pence as entry to a swimming pool . Now are these families where the main breadwinner , or where there is a one parent family , is out of work ? Or are they people that are in work but even their salaries are not enough to cope ? Well it 's both . It 's er in the report that we produced , most of the families are in fact single parent families , most of them are on Social Security benefits and have been on for considerable periods of time , but there are a number of people who are in employment or who have had periods of employment , but they are in low paid jobs , so when you 're talking about an income of one hundred pounds a week , with the sort of housing costs there are and other costs , then there simply is n't enough money to go round .
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
Sergei Solov'ev was wrong , however , to accuse the tsar of conducting the war with a lack of resolution . He had in fact conducted it with a somewhat surprising degree of determination . It had done him no good , but the same quality was to stand him in good stead when he turned away from international relations to the many domestic difficulties which the war had engendered or highlighted . DOMESTIC UNREST Dmitrii Miliutin was not the only tsarist official to speak frankly , in the later stages of the war , of the strain it was placing on the country 's resources .
Idiom: see the elephant (used idiomatically: yes)
Okay . Mm . Have a look and see how many elephants you can see . Oh minus four . What ?
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
' We are delighted with our new position which underlines our commitment to the area and already the response from the public has been most encouraging . ' The premises , which occupy a corner site in a prime front of the road position , are bright and spacious , creating a most pleasant environment for the display of the many properties offered for sale by the Finaghy branch . In tandem with the relocation , the office has increased its service to Halifax Building Society customers with the introduction of a computerised banking system . Advice Terry Rice , Senior Branch Manager in charge of the Finaghy branch , is enthusiastic about the move .
Idiom: up the spout (used idiomatically: no)
Insy winsy spider climbing up spout , came the rain and Is that right ? Insy winsy spider climbing up the spout , down That 's enough What 's the other one ?
Idiom: game on (used idiomatically: yes)
Goggled officials hunched over consoles around tiers of cantilevered wrought - iron galleries , listening to data , whispering orders . A string orchestra wailed as if in torment . Caged mutants with abnormally large eyes played complicated games on three - dimensional boards . Were those bastards of the Voronov - Vaux clan ? Inbred freaks ?
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
Grice himself might assimilate apine dance to the category of phenomena that have what he called natural meaning as opposed to the non - natural meaning of expressions of natural language . The question that McDowell is pointing to , however , is whether , in the analysis of human communication , Grice 's contribution concerns more what it is to be human than what it is to communicate . Let us for the time being not take a stand on this issue but address ourselves to the whole phenomenon in its strong sense . Whether a system with finitely many basic signals is a system of communication in the strong sense — that is , a linguistic system — depends on whether the characteristic behaviour within which and against which it is interpreted is complex enough to sustain attributions of higher - order beliefs and intentions to the creatures concerned . If one has to resort to such an intentional framework in order to make sense of the behaviour , in order to explain what the creatures are doing and why , and has so to resort after exhausting all possibilities of more austere , less anthropomorphic frameworks of explanation , then one is on the route to linguistic meanings .
Idiom: up to scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
There was a sudden nakedness to his face . Then the nakedness was covered : he had seen what lay ahead . He said , with deliberate care , ‘ But of course , my dear , if you feel we are not coming up to scratch . You have a perfect right.’ ‘ It 's nothing to do with professional things .
Idiom: sleep rough (used idiomatically: yes)
As a result he early on developed the habit of staying out of the house as much as possible . In December 1982 Jim 's family started squatting in council housing and were referred to the social work department by the housing department . Bedsitter accommodation was eventually provided but in the course of the investigation by the social work department it was discovered that in addition to Jim 's persistent truancy , he was also staying away from home , sleeping rough for days at a time . The children were eventually admitted into care as a result of neglect . ( One of Jim 's sisters had to be rushed to hospital with a critical diabetic condition . )
Idiom: bear fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
So ( it is argued ) , a party comes to power claiming a mandate to implement its manifesto of seaside promises , and in the process established policies are mindlessly repealed in the struggle to deliver election commitments and please the party faithful . However , as the reality of the economic situation presses in on the government so it is inevitable that more sensible and pragmatic policies are adopted 2 or 3 years into office . Unfortunately , just as these newer policies begin to bear fruit , the country is hurled into the turmoil of another general election and the cycle of misguided mandate and policy change starts all over again . These bouts of manifesto madness , U - turns , and broken promises , not only frustrate business confidence but also lead to public disillusion so that authority dribbles out of government and the legitimacy of the overall system is called into question . In other words , the adversary system is said to have both economic costs and political costs .
Idiom: bear fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
Medical Services are steaming ahead having had a great year . We are again one step ahead of the legislators and are conforming to the Environment Protection Act 's ‘ Duty of care’ by installing our own purpose built incinerators throughout the country . Water and Ventilation has recently undergone a period of consolidation and the branch structure has been altered in order to meet our needs for 1992 , this is already bearing fruit as the most recent quarter produced some great sales . Tropical Plants have a new sales team to take them into 1992 , marketing activities have been increased and there is a greater awareness amongst clients of the need for green foliage . Business Support Services Management is a term that people throughout the company are becoming familiar with .
Idiom: come unstuck (used idiomatically: yes)
Serious gamblers , Reid points out , do n't dart in and out of high - street betting shops in their lunch hours , but go racing : on - course betting is untaxed . In loving detail , right down to the rancid smell of burnt onions from hamburger vans , Reid describes three days spent at the races with his charmingly unsavoury friends A. J. Kincaid , John Moynahan and the Major . At Cheltenham , they recoup early losses with a late hat - trick of winners ; at Brighton , they come badly unstuck ; and at Redcar they pull off a major coup , smuggling suitcase - loads of money on to a 7–1 shot past the eagle eye of the bookies . Reid 's role in this coup is not to put money on the eventual winner but to back other horses in the race , thus distracting the bookies ' attention and stopping them pulling their usual trick which is to depress the winner 's official starting price by similar last - minute shenanigans . It 's not cricket , but it 's all hugely enjoyable and Reid 's enthusiasm for his favourite vice is infectious .
Idiom: go the whole hog (used idiomatically: yes)
Bloody milk .. Two bread and butter . Two bread and butter , eh , your going the whole hog today . Two twenty two . Have you got ya have you got your bread and butter ?
Idiom: hold someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
He seemed to understand her . He was on his feet , holding out his hand to Nick who went to him and took it trustingly . And so Mister Johnny took them up through the dark yew trees , carrying the goose and holding Nick 's hand . Carrie walked behind because there was n't room for three on the path , but she was n't afraid . Mister Johnny talked in his gobbly voice all the way and it seemed a friendly noise now , pushing the night back .
Idiom: throw in the towel (used idiomatically: yes)
A further attempt by Government officials to prolong the procedure after earlier defeats at tribunals was due to be heard in Edinburgh earlier this week . But Mr Herriot said : ‘ The proceedings lasted three minutes . The Employment Service threw in the towel and that was it.’ Rab Stewart , Scottish textile organiser for the Transport and General Workers ' Union , said the Employment Service had withdrawn its objections to payments being made , and was now supporting all the claims . According to his records , about 50 workers had been compensated , which meant 125 people had still received nothing .
Idiom: cut corners (used idiomatically: no)
Further details later . Best — Haines . ' Haines was a friend in the right place , ready to cut a few corners and pass on information while it was still worth having . ' Call for you , sir — Dr Franks . ' ' Wycliffe here . '
Idiom: save face (used idiomatically: yes)
The problem is who to replace him with , White in the center with Forrester or Rodders that may work , do n't think Rodders and Forrester will go to well as there 's no height up front then . How 's the fat frankie situation ? Wilko must do what is right for the team , not what is best to save face . Chris From :
Idiom: green light (used idiomatically: yes)
The sacrifices of war made Iraqis hungry for the fruits of victory . Since these could not be tasted while Iraq 's oil revenues were low , Mr Hussein sought to raise his revenues by stealing Kuwait 's . The authors argue that this too was an act of desperation , not part of a grand design ; and that he construed his famous interview with the American ambassador , April Glaspie , as a ‘ green light’ . As soon as he realised his mistake he tried to go into reverse , but once America sent troops to Saudi Arabia the dictator was trapped : only then did he make Kuwait the 19th province and drop all talk of withdrawing . On the evidence of this biography , Mr Hussein 's greatest aids to survival have been his amorality and lack of ideology .
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
Both Edmund Culpeper and the herbalist and astrologer Nicholas Culpeper [ q.v.]were probably poor relations , descended from junior branches of the Culpeper or Colepeper family , a large , wealthy , landed family in Kent and Sussex . In 1684 Culpeper was apprenticed to Walter Hayes , engraver and mathematical instrument - maker of Moorfields , London . He eventually took over his master 's shop at the Cross Daggers , Moorfields , before 1700 and this was given as his address in various advertisements from 1707 to 1731 , an address emblematically represented on his trade card . In 1710 he was visited by the noted German traveller Conrad von Uffenbach , who sought out the most eminent instrument makers in London . Rather curiously Culpeper did not become a freeman until 1714 .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
But they 're never fully open until you 're into it . ‘ After the first 18 months you know anything can happen . There are no rules or regulations everything 's up for grabs . Nothing surprises me . But I took the job .
Idiom: break cover (used idiomatically: yes)
The rim of my hat , while effectually shading my eyes , did not obstruct my vision , and inch by inch I scanned every bit of the jungle within my range of view . There was not a breath of wind blowing , and not a leaf or blade of grass stirred . My men , whom I had instructed to keep close together and sing from the time they left the camp until they joined me on the forest road , were not due for an hour and a half , and during this time it was more than likely that the tigress would break cover and try to stalk or rush me . There are occasions when time drags , and others when it flies . My left arm , on which my head was pillowed , had long since ceased to prick and had gone dead , but even so the singing of the men in the valley below reached me all too soon .
Idiom: under a cloud (used idiomatically: yes)
CHAPTER 5 Lear 's Years of Misery EDWARD LEAR , famous for his watercolour landscapes and nonsense rhymes , began his career at the age of 16 under a cloud of poverty and insecurity as a draughtsman to the Zoological Society . With a hopeless head for finance and a desperate desire to befriend , Lear was only too willing to receive the attentions of John Gould , then in his mid-20s , and to initiate him into the secrets of the new technique of lithography and the art of ornithological illustration . It was Lear 's example that provided the impetus for the Goulds ' first publication , and it was Lear who later transformed Gould 's static and unimaginative style into the confident and innovative work that characterised his second and all subsequent publications .
Idiom: big hitter (used idiomatically: yes)
There are only three Irish players ahead of Clarke in the ratings prior to this week 's European Masters — Ronan Rafferty at 39th , David Feherty ( 66th ) and O'Connor Jnr ( 109th ) . Darren has already banked over £ 125,000 in prize money this season , which boosts his career winnings to over £ 300,000 , an average of £ 100,000 a year . ‘ I 'm now 36th in the European merit order , but I feel I can make the first 25’ , said big hitter Clarke before teeing off in Switzerland . ‘ I have six tournaments left in which to reach this goal.’ Rafferty is 10th best in Europe right now with winnings of £ 227,000 for the year and Feherty is 24th at £ 152,000 .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
a set of ‘ use’ categories with appropriate standards covering a wide range of possible uses ; the need to incorporate relevant EC directives ; a new general classification scheme for all waters , which would incorporate standard key chemical tests used in previous water quality surveys together with , for rivers , a new biological measurement based on the extent to which the presence of invertebrates in a water body falls short of what would be expected in a clean or unpolluted system . Statutory water quality objectives , once set , will be reviewed by the government every five years , or sooner if the NRA considers it necessary . The NRA is seeking comments on the proposals from interested parties before 10 March 1992 .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: no)
Others have all - in - one hook gliders which clip onto the face of the track and eliminate the use of separate curtain hooks . Optional cording sets with overlap arm are available which enable the curtains to overlap at the centre when closed . However , these sets are mainly for use on straight runs . Tracks which are cut to measure are essential for the more awkward fitting situations . These strong steel tracks can be cut to length by a supplier , pre - bent to fit an awkward bay , and have the additional advantage of being ready corded .
Idiom: anything goes (used idiomatically: no)
‘ Every little bit.’ Did Mary Antoinette sign anything before she went to the guillotine , I wondered . ‘ I hereby agree to the severing of my entire cranium and should anything go wrong on the way hold neither the executioner nor his assistant in any way responsible . Only in French , of course . I lay on the trolley and the bank nurse put my papers by my side .
Idiom: hit the road (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Do n't forget to paint so you can see the splash from both directions , coming and going , and do n't get out of sight of your last splash.’ ‘ OK.’ ‘ Wait for me when you hit the road.’ ‘ Yes.’ ‘ And take the whistle.’
Idiom: by dint of (used idiomatically: yes)
I could n't shift him . But apparently he 's all right for the weekend because Saturday is a courting - free day ! ' By dint of special effort , our Captain had managed to save the honour of the team by recruiting the services of the Baptist Minister 's Son , down from university , and securing the participation of Miss Mack 's Solicitor . Miss Mack had been housekeeper at The Hall for as many decades as most people could remember . She projected a kind of agelessness , which had made her at the same time an object of attention from both the Young Women 's Fitness Class and the Over-50s Club .
Idiom: nuts and bolts (used idiomatically: no)
Yeah . Right will will you take part in the treasure hunt . Will you give a nut and bolt or something . Or or whatever something that they 've Right .
Idiom: only time will tell (used idiomatically: yes)
My frustration was n't losing the medal , it was not even being able to fight for it,’ said Mota , who does n't question that it was the correct decision to run . Since Tokyo , Pedrosa explains that Mota has undergone numerous tests to try to find the cause of what he describes as ‘ that silly pain’ . Nothing conclusive has been found and it seems only time will tell if the trouble re - emerges . The couple , however , seem confident that the problem is behind them and anyone with a love of the distance can not help but hope they are right , particularly in Olympic year . B arcelona will be Mota 's last major championship run and she wants it to be the perfect platform to retire from the international scene .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
There are also red potentillas and red hawthorn , to name but two , and you will find many more on looking through this book . I think that wedding anniversaries make very suitable subjects for pressed flower pictures , and there ca n't be many that do n't lend themselves to a suitable picture . For example , for a diamond anniversary you could create a diamond - shaped picture , so try a little lateral thinking if at first an idea does n't come to mind . Wedding anniversaries The beautifully rich tones of this picture lend themselves well to a ruby wedding anniversary .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
An account for 14 to 17 year olds which gives freedom and independence with a cash card , high rate of interest , regular communication and a free account opening pack . CASH CLUB ACCOUNTS We make banking fun for 9 to 13 year olds when they join Cash Club . Each member receives a Cash Club card , an account opening pack including a Cash Club sport wallet , regular competitions and information as well as a high rate of interest . RAINBOW SAVING ACCOUNTS
Idiom: between a rock and a hard place (used idiomatically: yes)
Well it 's nothing like it is it ? Well you see in an ideal situation of the six people I 've got on the second list there 's better quality people there but they 've got absolutely zero experience but we 're not the sort of company who can take these people on and train them really So you know we 're stuck between a rock and a hard place Yeah Well I know I do n't see .
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
CONTROVERSIAL regulations come into force today requiring people out of work for more than 13 weeks to accept low - paid jobs or risk losing their benefit . The Government expects the new ‘ actively seeking work’ provisions of the Social Security Act to remove up to 50,000 people from the unemployment register , saving £ 100 m a year . However , a draft report by a secret ministerial advisory group reviewing ‘ persistent unemployment’ suggests further measures to bring down the jobless tally could be in the pipeline . The Department of Employment document , prepared in March for the Secretary 's Strategy Group ( SSG ) maps out ‘ possible future strategies’ for dealing with the problem of long - term unemployment . The politically - sensitive option of ‘ increased pressure to join Employment Training’— the Government 's scheme for the long - term unemployed — is canvassed .
Idiom: move heaven and earth (used idiomatically: yes)
Kevin Welch has been appointed skipper because Richard Smith has declared his intention to retire . Stockton finished third from bottom in the A Division last season but with the signing of left arm spinner Masood Anwaar as their professional for 1992 they could well be vying for a place in the top five in September . Bishop Auckland have also moved heaven and earth to improve their standing . West Indian Tony Gray has been signed at great expense while former Durham County stalwart , Johnnie Johnston , is set to return to the club for one final fling . Hartlepool have lost three of their main bowlers , Tom Fountain , Dean Burrows and Ashley Day but with skipper Andy Holland , Dave Alsopp , Gerry Boyd , Ian Jackson and Glen Tebbitt their attack is still promising .