Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: marching orders (used idiomatically: yes)
She recognised that he wanted her to forget what had happened , but that it also leapt vividly before his eyes and had a hold on him too . He was already in so far he could not find his depth , and he wanted to turn and strike back for the shore , but , like an unpractised swimmer , found that the distance he had come was too great for him to return . At last , he spoke , and asked when Davide was expected , for he was about to receive his marching orders , and he was hoping that her brother would be back as expected , for the summer holidays from the university , so that they could meet before he left . Rosa made a little game out of answering , so pleased was she to be entertaining him with her talk . She could have said , Any day now , and left it at that .
Idiom: make a go of (used idiomatically: yes)
( Ferdinando said he expected the profit on Mr Landor 's rooms was so enormous it covered the cost of the rest more than double . ) Wilson bore the departure of the Brownings and her husband stoically this time . She was determined to make a go of this new house , in which she felt so much more cheerful , and understood fully how much depended on Mr Landor 's tractability . She must see that he was comfortable and cared for so that with contentment would come peace . To help her , she had a new maid , Teresa , older and more confident than Maria , who had left to be a nurse - maid .
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: yes)
They believe they know and look at them differently , and it 's avoided as a topic of conversation.’ Resources are scarce , medical treatment limited and abortions not always available . Many victims are also having to come to terms with the trauma while looking after children and the elderly in overcrowded refugee camps . Whether rape has been singled out by military commanders as a weapon of war remains open to question , but victims ' testimony suggests the abuse is part of a wider pattern of warfare and ‘ ethnic cleansing’ . Ms Hampson believes the abuse is more than an incidental or sexual act . It is clearly being used as an instrument to achieve a military purpose .
Idiom: buy the farm (used idiomatically: yes)
BETWEEN 1910 and 1970 , the white rulers of Rhodesia took 15 m hectares ( 38 m acres ) of land from blacks , nearly half the country 's farmland . The desire to recover it drove many black peasants to support the nationalist guerrillas in the war against white minority rule . President Robert Mugabe announced on April 30th that the government is to buy 70 big commercial farms , covering 190,000 hectares , as the first step in a plan to redistribute some 5 m hectares of white - owned land to blacks . The necessary legislation — enabling the government to buy compulsorily at a price of its choosing — was pushed through last year . The government then did nothing .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
One thinks of Alan Walters and erm Professor Brian Griffiths . Although this is true , I think there is a bit of a worry about that . I mean the thing is the economic advisers , the Prime Minister 's advisers , are behind the scenes . They are not known to people . And I think that there is a very strong argument erm for getting women in the cabinet on the basis that if women are seen to be in the cabinet they are seen as competent , they 're seen as excellent politicians , and that 's why I go for a form of positive discrimination , which is that if you 've got two people who are equally well qualified , and if erm Mr Major decided that a man and a women were equally well qualified , then I think he should have chosen the woman erm
Idiom: for a song (used idiomatically: yes)
Maybe they 're songwriters — they do n't really care about really good guitar players . They just want to know ' Are there any other chords ? How come Lennon and McCartney used all these chords for these simple pop songs … and what 's Allan Holdsworth using ? ' ' They may be in a band or have a solo project which is unique but just based around singing and unusual compositions and so for them it 's harmony . They do n't care about melody , because they 're going to write that themselves .
Idiom: toe the line (used idiomatically: yes)
eh , ah Stuart , eh Just there , grab his leg Ah toe the line mate get it out get it out go on
Idiom: keep a straight face (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I think you will find that the area marked out is intended as a viewing platform in order to see over King William 's Glen where the last major military engagement in Ireland was fought,’ he instructed quietly . ‘ Read up on your history , Miss Browne — with an ‘ E’.’ Her eyes innocently wide , she gave a slow smile , because she had known it was a viewing platform , of course ; and he knew that she knew , which meant that he was teasing her , and that he was one of those people who always managed to keep a straight face . His comment also meant that he had been listening to her conversation with the receptionist in Dublin — because he had still been bored ? ‘ I will,’ she promised .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah he call it the holy seed and that he could have righteous children . If Koresh broke the law , it was the County sheriff who should have intervened . The Waco sheriff habitually turned a blind eye to Koresh 's activities . There was really no evidence of er of child abuse . There was only allegations and and again I say today that we have not ever found any any proof of any child abuse out there .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
Mr Eden said yesterday he was very pleased with the price . ‘ The car was very well looked after and meticulously maintained . ‘ It was chauffeur - driven and chauffeur - maintained before the war and if anything went wrong it went straight back to Rolls - Royce . ‘ My mother was a very careful owner and only did about a thousand miles a year between the end of the war and 1962 . ‘ I was sorry to see it go in a way , but on the other hand it 's been laid up for many years and now it 's going to give pleasure to other people .
Idiom: wet behind the ears (used idiomatically: yes)
Fabia asked in all innocence — and was utterly horrified not only at her sister 's sudden angry change of expression , but more particularly at her reply . ‘ Oh , really ! ’ she exploded impatiently . ‘ You ca n't tell him you 're not a professional!’ she snapped , and , muttering something that sounded uncomfortably like ‘ wet behind the ears’ , ‘ You 've got to pretend that you 're me — Cara Kingsdale!’she insisted . ‘ I ca n't do that ! ’ Fabia gasped , appalled at the very idea .
Idiom: fly the coop (used idiomatically: yes)
How are you and your wife doing , now that the birds have all flown the coop ?
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
The CNAA 's policy was viewed as ad hoc and unresearched . Students were often resistant to these components of their courses . Within the CNAA the controversy was , to say the least , lively . When a joint committee of CST and CASS was set up during the debates , it was chaired by Sir Alan Richmond , who described it as ‘ the most difficult committee I have ever chaired in my life’ . The basic issue was compulsory complementary and contrasting studies for arts students .
Idiom: man of the cloth (used idiomatically: yes)
He managed to head this sentence off its track just in time . ‘ … mullah . He was in every sense a man of the cloth . Whereas Yasser Arafat … er … for example—’ Here he caught sight of Aziz the janitor , who was standing at the back of the hall with his mop and bucket .
Idiom: above board (used idiomatically: yes)
Dougal poured the wine and sat down . ‘ According to Celia , Newley may have two coin collections . One 's all above board . The other one 's been built up illegally.’ ‘ Does n't surprise me .
Idiom: feast or famine (used idiomatically: yes)
Delacroix , Turner , Isabey and Prout are all here , as are less familiar landscape and genre painters like Paul Huet and Eugene Lami . The result is a satisfying blend of Bonington retrospective and survey of landscape painting in the 1820s . In terms of Parisian exhibitions , it often seems to be a case of feast or famine . At the moment , we are being offered a banquet . Bonington will be on view until May 17 ; a major exhibition devoted to the 18th - century French sculptor Clodion will be at the Louvre until June 29 ; and the superbly renovated Jeu de Paume ( now one of the most delightful exhibition spaces in Paris ) is exhibiting works by the American painter Ellsworth Kelly until May 24 .
Idiom: tie the knot (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ They 'll have a long wait,’ Jenna laughed . ‘ I 'm not even engaged yet . Never mind , they can be matrons of honour when I decide to tie the knot.’ ‘ Left to you , I expect they 'd be old enough,’ Shirley mused . ‘ I ca n't see Glyn Rushton waiting that long though .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
Furthermore , this argument continued , the quantities of money available corrupted expectations and encouraged people to think development was essentially material advancement rather than community organization . It was natural that the latter point of view was associated with leftist thinking . The argument came to a head in 1986 following the US Secretary of State 's programme to ‘ improve the quality of life’ , when a number of American agencies receiving USAID funding began to be shunned by many Palestinian development workers . The damaging effects of external assistance were , ironically , best documented in the case of Zubaydat , a poor village in the Jordan valley , where two foreign agencies most anxious to avoid such eventualities had introduced drip immigration in order to increase village productivity and to demonstrate the value of modern intermediate technology methods . One unforeseen result was the expectation on the part of the recipient villagers that foreign funds would continue to provide capital , repair costs , and so on .
Idiom: bear in mind (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Perhaps not in every Sovbloc country . But the GDR , as Dieter will confirm , I 'm sure , happens still to have the morality of Salem when they are putting little old ladies to the torch — at least at the highest political level . And bear in mind that 's what we 're talking about , Major : the highest level . Nothing to do with public morality ; the public does n't come into this . Somehow a Sovbloc politician can corner ninety - nine per cent of the vote without everybody having to know the name of his dog and which football team he supports.’
Idiom: all and sundry (used idiomatically: yes)
The second point I want to er make Mr Deputy Speaker wholly relating to this erm er clutch of er orders of which er eighteen plus the er the schedule which the minister did n't have time to go through in great detail , is the thrust of why I put the amendment down erm in fact that this order should not be er erm approved indeed until the citizens of Gibraltar have been and able to be represented in the European parliament . Now I know that 's not selected and I do n't make any complaint about that erm far from it er I would not complain ever against the chair but I did introduce erm well I do n't and I would n't but I erm introduced the erm first reading of a bill on this matter yesterday . M Mr Deputy Speaker , you will have seen if you read these er orders in front of us today running to at least er I reckon about ten thousand words , but by and large , all and sundry are going to be bote , er going to be out of vote on June the ninth , citizens of the European union and the minister has actually said on one or two occasions , all citizens of the union , well it is not true that all citizens of the union will be able to vote on er June the ninth . I 'll grantcha if you 're a citizen of the union living in South America , the West Indies or the Pacific and you happen to be a member of the French colonies , you 'll have a vote in the European parliament in the elections . But if you happen to be a citizen of the union a citizen of the European union , a member of the only mainland European colony belonging to this country namely Gibraltar , you do n't have a vote .
Idiom: nuts and bolts (used idiomatically: no)
The political practices are the principles of organization of the system . They have to work with the materials on hand , but by manipulating the design of the system they can build variations into it . The cultural - ideological practices are the nuts and bolts and the glue that hold the system together . Without them , parts of the system would drift off into space . In order to work properly the dominant forces in each of the three spheres have to monopolize the key resources for which there is great competition .
Idiom: stick out like a sore thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
The technique 's not new . I have a bogus copy of Hugh Brogan 's History of the United States which has been turned into a fireproof combination lock safe , but that was a professional job done by my mate Lenny the Lathe in return for a favour . This was decidedly amateur night and if the book itself had n't stuck out like a sore thumb among the reference works , then a quick look at the floppy spine would have given the game away . I removed the envelope and decided to dump the book which , empty , was probably even more suspicious . The envelope was about six inches by four and almost an inch thick .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
Mr Major will embark on a round of last - minute diplomacy in Edinburgh tonight seeing Commission president Jacques Delors and French president Francois Mitterrand . He will meet German Chancellor Helmut Kohl for a crucial breakfast meeting tomorrow . Mr Major 's appeal to the rest of the EC came as he launched a late plan to bring Denmark back on board by allowing them a range of opt - outs from the Treaty — without altering the terms of the agreement itself . Mr Delors yesterday warned the EC faced ‘ survival or decline — there is no further way’ . Phil makes his home in Hollywood
Idiom: in the pink (used idiomatically: no)
Worn by four - strong cereal - packet families who once favoured kagools or train - spotterish anoraks . Zipup compartment behind collar for redundant hood . Also popular for travelling are quilted , overblown pseudo - ski jackets in pink or blue that look like duvets rampant . Safari jackets are still favourites with more mature male travellers . Often worn with pale , open - necked sports shirts and dodgy cravats .
Idiom: wear the trousers (used idiomatically: yes)
That is what they do to wicked priests . ' ' Is that so , now ? At least our ministers wear trousers — though you would wonder , if Bisset is frightened to come here among the desperate sinners of Grandtully . ' ' Have you tried at another manse ? ' asked Cameron . ' It is not worth shoe - leather .
Idiom: on the money (used idiomatically: no)
But the Conqueror 's scheme of knight service was the nearest to a comprehensive feudal hierarchy that any European king or prince attempted . Thus , in course of time , the artificiality of feudal organization was more and more broken down by the use of money , until in twelfth - century England , feudal service was commonly replaced by the payment of a tax , scutage , ' shield - money ' . This gave both parties greater flexibility , while increasing their dependence on money . For a variety of reasons the European nobility of the eleventh and twelfth centuries were coming increasingly to need money : to indulge their taste in war , to meet a higher standard of living , to pay for their ever more costly gifts to their friends , their superiors and inferiors , and above all to the Church , to indulge their taste for extravagant building , and to give dowries to their daughters and patrimonies to their younger sons . War was the traditional occupation of this class .
Idiom: go from strength to strength (used idiomatically: yes)
Either way , these next two or three days are bound to be both difficult and rather demanding for you . But it will probably be around the time of the Full Moon on the 14th that you decide enough is enough and when you realise that success , solace or excitement can only be found in a different setting . Finally , an emotional attachment or special friendship — call it what you will — can only go from strength to strength now , and in this respect , October should have a fairytale ending . AQUARIUS ( Jan 21-Feb 19 ) Jupiter and Neptune are challenged by the Sun in Libra and everything must seem to be out of focus at the moment , if not a bit unreal .
Idiom: for a song (used idiomatically: no)
‘ We are in discussions , ’ said an ABC spokesman . Sonia CHART-topper Sonia , 21 , thinks the eight short-listed songs for the Eurovision Song Contest are all ‘ fabulous ’ . The Liverpool star , who will represent Britain in the May contest , said : ‘ I might even put some of them on my new album . ’ Robin Williams
Idiom: feel the pinch (used idiomatically: yes)
A mortgage may be the largest financial commitment you will make in your life , but that does n't mean it has to ruin it . High interest rates are crippling and an unstable economy can produce them at any time . If you should find yourself feeling the pinch , there are several ways to reduce your outgoings , some could save you as much as £ 200 a month on a £ 60,000 loan . But above all , do not panic . Get in contact with your lender as soon as you realise that you may have a problem meeting the repayments and continue to pay monthly as much as you can afford .
Idiom: under the sun (used idiomatically: yes)
High on its flanks was the last retreat of St Antony , a cave in the cliff - face where he went to escape his followers , who gathered below on the site of the first monastery . It is a place of special pilgrimage , and after a hearty lunch our party of pilgrims set off en masse to visit it . It was an arduous climb of over a thousand feet , and we were labouring under a midday sun . Remarkably no one but ourselves brought flasks of water . As the slopes grew steeper people clung to us like limpets in the hope of a drink .
Idiom: on the mend (used idiomatically: yes)
When my holiday had the goodness to be over , I stood on the usual rush - hour bus and read a schoolboy 's comic strips over his shoulder . There was sun outside . Life had several appearances of being on the mend . Halfway uptown , after a setback caused by a reminiscent cheekbone at the other end of the bus , I got a seat between a Chinaman and a Puerto Rican woman . I seemed to be taking up more than my share of the space , and the grief was bad again .
Idiom: hang by a thread (used idiomatically: yes)
It was as if everything that had happened to her that day had some how taken place in another time dimension . And , despite the luxurious comfort of the aeroplane — in which she should have been able to relax her tired mind and body — she felt totally overwhelmed by the day 's events . Devastated as she was by the news of Liz and Owen 's terrible accident — and the knowledge that their lives were hanging by a thread — she was also feeling dazed and stunned at her husband 's dramatic reappearance in her life . Maybe it was the hypnotic , rhythmic drone of the aircraft engines , or the sheer emotional exhaustion of the past few hours , but there seemed little she could do to suppress the memories she had so resolutely buried during the last five years . Memories of the past , which now filled her mind to the exclusion of all else .
Idiom: to the tune of (used idiomatically: yes)
Tramp vamp IT WAS a meeting of the Lady and the Tramp and it looked like fun . So let 's hope Shirley Bassey turned out to be a Real Big Spender and put the Goldfinger on him to the tune of a few bob . Pity she could n't take him into the nightclub , Tramp . Shame of cigs Mum
Idiom: in the soup (used idiomatically: yes)
1 . Boil the wine rapidly in a small saucepan until it has reduced to approx 1 × 15ml / tbsp . Stir in the clam soup and set to one side . 2 . Heat the oil in a large frying pan , add the garlic and cook for a few seconds .
Idiom: take a bath (used idiomatically: yes)
Sainsbury 's decision to slash prices in the New Year sent the shares plunging 14p to 561p as competitors declared a full - scale price war . Safeway owner Argyll plummeted 22p to 398p , Tesco fell 14p to 251p and Kwik Save 22p to 784p . Food manufacturers , already wobbly after Tuesday 's pessimistic industry report , took another bath at this added blow to potential profits . Pentos , the Dillons bookshops group , slithered all the way down to 56p , 14p lower on the day , after a profits warning . Fellow stores groups also lost ground as dealers decided the euphoria about the New Year sales had been overdone .
Idiom: play ball (used idiomatically: yes)
The match was reported as being scrappy … exactly what the last 20 minutes was . Leeds were annoying me at their sudden inability to keep the ball on the pitch , either kicking it off , or playing stupid passes up front(down the middle ) straight to their keeper / defenders . Had they played the ball down th channels or to the corner flags , this would have turned their defence and let us regroup and play in their half . Oldham had 1 shot on target … that header that was easy for the keeper . If they had dominated I expect they would have had at least a few more ( in 20 mins ) .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
DAY 16 On previous days we have talked about setting goals . I believe very firmly that we can accomplish so much more in our lives if we just pause occasionally to take stock of our plans and our aims . We all need a goal and once we are well on the way to achieving it , then it is essential that we start thinking about another one . The greater the goal the better .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: yes)
Despite its elegance , the collection managed to depict an image of women so passive that the designs would probably have been snapped up by Qantas as uniforms for its air hostesses in late 1972 . Amongst the others enjoying the retro hustle was Martine Sitbon . Since she has pushed the decade for almost her entire career , one can only wonder what she 'll do now that everyone else has followed suit . Martin Margiela continued with his deconstructed long lean line , this time showing two collections in two separate locations , one in black and the other in white , both lovely and possessing a purity which is integral to his work . Helmut Lang played the same old song too : ugly but beautiful , perfect if you are a model/15 years old / savagely stylish .
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
Established in 1928 , it plays a vital role in protecting the country 's coast and countryside , while encouraging sustainable rural development . Funded by members ' subscriptions and supporters ' donations , CPRW is an authoritative source of guidance on conservation issues for political leaders , the news media and rural bodies in Wales . ' INADEQUATE ' USK BILL RETREAT ON THE CARDS ? Newport Borough Council is close to withdrawing its Private Usk Barrage Bill from Parliament for a second time . This controversial move was revealed during a meeting with petitioners against the bill last week ( 1 ) .
Idiom: in the clear (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We have a good code system and I know where the ball should be , but it 's not too often that it is where it should be . As it happened , being a bit slow to the action , I was in a position to see exactly what was happening . I burst on to the pass from Jack Clarke , had a wee look and saw I was in the clear . ‘ You 're going to have to go for it’ , I told myself , and off I went . The next morning I felt awful .