Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: in cold blood (used idiomatically: yes)
If the new ships came from Denmark , the Caithness flotilla might not be needed . If the new ships did not come , the handful now in the north represented the only sea - force Thorfinn could lay against any fleet Siward might bring . Few as they were , they might be sufficient , for the men in them would be seasoned seamen and raiders who would brawl for the love of it , on shipboard anywhere ; who would defend their own northern lands to the death , on land or on sea ; but who would never march south in cold blood to throw away life defending a foreigner 's ground . One day perhaps , but not yet . There had not been time to teach them .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
5 m claimants to be worse off under poll tax , says Meacher . MORE than five million adults receiving income support will lose out when the poll tax is introduced in England next April , Labour 's social security spokesman , Mr Michael Meacher , claimed yesterday , writes Alan Travis . He argued at a Westminster press conference that in only 35 out of 403 local authority areas would any claimants gain or break even , despite Mrs Thatcher 's pledge in July 1987 that they would not be adversely affected . Claimants on income support are now required to pay a 20 per cent contribution to rates or poll tax bills . But the Government has provided compensation allowances in income support payments equal to the average poll tax bill in each council area .
Idiom: at a canter (used idiomatically: yes)
And Ballymoney college chiefs say it is n't a case of horses for courses . The course is linked with Killoan and The Island equestrian centres and was largely developed and pioneered on site . At a canter , students tackle hurdles in equine science , horsemastership , stud operation and showing horses . The two - year course also includes business , with scholars changing horses in midstream . Marie Hegarty , head of the business department , said : ' Whether it is for pleasure or profit the care of horses requires a considerable commitment in time and money .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: yes)
Mix in lettuce and garnish with dill if liked . Chill and serve within 1 hour . Make a few slashes in the chicken flesh . Season chickens generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper . Place in a shallow dish and squeeze over lemon juice , then drizzle over oil .
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
His money problems have hit the headlines with almost metronomic regularity as one institution after another issued writs to try to ensure payment of unpaid bills . He even fell into arrears with his mortgage at a time when he was earning £ 400,000 a year as chairman of Lonrho , and at one stage had a 300-acre farm and farmhouse , next to his magnificent 14th - century manor house in Somerset , repossessed . Somehow he always managed to play off one creditor against another , claiming he was just awaiting payment for some big deal or other that was in the pipeline . Only last week the National Rivers Authority sent the bailiffs in over yet another debt — in du Cann 's terms , a piddling £ 425 . Three weeks ago his London flat was repossessed by the National & Provincial Building Society .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: yes)
Retaining The Angle 1 ( 1 ) Stand with your feet about shoulder - width apart and grip the club in your left hand so that your thumb is running down the shaft . Place your right hand behind your back so that it is resting on your left hip . ( 2 ) Starting from the normal address position , cock your wrist as shown in the photograph . You should ensure that your arm remains straight throughout the movement and that you retain the wrist angle shown .
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
It is perhaps worth commenting here that informants in this type of study are not usually unhappy about being tape - recorded ; Peter Trudgill ( 1986b ) has suggested that people are now generally familiar with recording equipment and relaxed about being recorded . Third , the method is somewhat wasteful , being quite the converse of Labov 's telephone survey in this respect . Many more speakers and many more hours of speech are usually recorded than can ultimately be analysed ; a useful rule of thumb is that about ten hours will be needed to analyse each hour of recorded data . Another aspect of this extravagance is the large amount of unanalysable recorded data ; this is presumably the point Labov is making when he remarks that the ( technical ) quality of participant - observation data is often poor ( 1981 : 4 ) . We do , however , need to modify the force of this comment by noting that in Belfast no problem was experienced in obtaining plenty of recordings of sufficient technical quality to be analysable .
Idiom: on the button (used idiomatically: no)
Go back to the lift and go up , carry the weight to the button and drop it on the button to start the swing , stand on the swing and fly up - right , collect the weight above you and throw it onto the button next to the swing , go back to where you grabbed the weight , go left , collect the weight , go right to the wall and fall down , throw the weight on the button , go up , left , up the pipe , collect the flower and go down the pipe . Go right across two platforms and catch the lift , go up on the lift and go left , take the weight and continue left , throw the weight onto the person , go left , up , up the pipe , take the weight , go right and throw it on the button , go up on the lift and go left , go up , take the weight , throw it on the person and fly up the pipe , go left , take the weight , go right and fall down the wall , go left , throw the weight on the button . Fall down , then fly up the pipe , use flying power to get the weight above you , go right , fall down , fall down again , go left to the main wall , jump up and throw the weight onto the button , go up the pipe , right , up on the lift and collect the weight , go left , fall down and throw the weight on the button , go down , right , up on the lift , left and up the pipe , go right ( dodge the guillotine ) and leg it to the door . LEVEL 3 — THE CANDY ZONE Go right and collect the bone , fall down , fly up on the fountain and collect the cocoa bean , fall down and jump along the pipes , go up on the platforms , go left at the top , get the cocoa bean and fall down , wait on the platform next to the pipes , go right on the ice cream , go up on the next ice cream , up on the platforms , bounce on the fountain , jump up three platforms and go right , collect the cocoa bean , climb down four platforms , climb up , go right to the top of the map , go right on the lifts and platforms and collect the blue object .
Idiom: sweetness and light (used idiomatically: yes)
Come and use our pool whenever you want!’ Nutty rode on hopefully , but when she got to the gate Mrs Smith was backing out in a large yellow Range Rover and glared at having to give way to a mere equestrian . No sweetness and light at all . But Nutty thrived on aggression . ‘ I 'll show you , you old bag,’ she said to the back of the Range Rover .
Idiom: lift a finger (used idiomatically: yes)
Her escorts pay when she goes out to restaurants or parties , so Pickles has n't the foggiest idea about money . Mother sees to the housekeeping expenses and organizes the servants ' wages and so on . Pickles never has to lift a finger . I doubt she has ever in her life packed a suitcase ! I do n't suppose for one moment she has given a thought to what life might be like if she had to ‘ make do’ married to someone who was n't too well off .
Idiom: take a back seat (used idiomatically: yes)
He also took over some national functions handled now by the Metropolitan Police — Interpol , the paedophile index , public sector corruption , counterfeit currency , data on product contamination , kidnap and extortion and the research unit of the stolen vehicle squad . Mr Mullett and his deputy , Simon Crawshaw , a former deputy assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard , hope to provide sufficient intelligence on major criminals to lead to prosecutions . But they might find it difficult to take a back seat and Whitehall believes that criminal intelligence will evolve into a top detective agency with an operational arm . It may not yet be the FBI but , just as in the movies where the American flag stands behind the FBI chief 's desk , Mr Mullett has already propped the Union flag against the wall . GPs seek support to end 24-hour care
Idiom: dig deep (used idiomatically: yes)
Oh , it 's a dirty job … but someone 's got to do it ! However , it 's not all free wine and beer . At this week 's party for the new Neil Jordan film The Crying Game , partygoers were forced to dig deep into their leather trouser pockets if they fancied supping vino instead of the free washing up liquid which was on offer . The more seasoned liggers , of course , simply went around nicking everyone 's else 's drinks . Held at the delightfully seedy SW1 Club in Victoria , much of the action was going on in the partitioned - off VIP enclosure .
Idiom: round the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
In the case of the City ~ Weekend tariff , the customer pays DM 5 per month and can then make round - the - clock calls at the moonlight rate both at weekends and on statutory public holidays .
Idiom: out to lunch (used idiomatically: no)
A one - wave wipeout I can handle , but two waves , that 's when it starts to get marginal.’ As a wipeout specialist myself , I could see him being torn apart by the turbulence , I could feel his bursting lungs and taste the fear of blacking out . When I get ‘ taken out to lunch’ I 'm in a state of shock for a week . On the North Shore , surfers consider it a matter of pride to go straight back out and reassert their dominance and exorcise their demons . ‘ That was the worst wipeout ever’ , Callahan said .
Idiom: do the honours (used idiomatically: no)
Then the leader of the Maximalists , the Anarchist wing of the peasants : " We must do honour to a political ~ party which puts such an act into effect the first day , without jawing about it ! "
Idiom: for my money (used idiomatically: yes)
I thought they were going to kill me . I thought well they 're not really going to get away with all of it . I 've worked hard for my money all my life and I do n't see why anyone should be able to break their way into someone 's home and just take what they want Voice over Eighteen year old Jason Raby who carried out the attack … and Anthony Langton who 's twenty - three and told him what to do … both admitted causing Mrs Cooper grevous bodily harm .
Idiom: see stars (used idiomatically: yes)
Within religious traditions myth and story have received overtones through many other factors which are not available to modern children ( a total lifestyle , worship , theological language , above all a community of people to whom it is real ) . Most children today are religiously naked — they have none of these " clothes " with which to adorn their perceptions . It is like expecting them to see distant stars without the help of any binoculars or telescopes but just with their own native eyesight . Some stars can be seen that way if the conditions happen to be appropriate , but children will not get very far as astronomers unless their own resources are supplemented by those accumulated by the tradition of astronomy built up over the centuries . For astronomy read religion .
Idiom: hot under the collar (used idiomatically: no)
I can also reveal that he is forever scratching his head and his backside ( must be all that sand and dried salt ) , and builds some mean sand castles . The plain fact is , you can get hooked on watching this ‘ utility’ do its bit . I have visions of bosses all over the land going hot under the collar as they see yet more of their staff enjoying the antics of this old salt — it could take over where Leisure Suit Larry left off . In fact , there have been many discussions caused by Johnny — and his girlfriend who seems to do very little other than build up her tan on a beach and send him the odd letter in a bottle . Various episodes in his life end in cliff - hangers , a la Neighbours and Dallas , and often I 've been asked whether a certain story line has advanced any further .
Idiom: talk shop (used idiomatically: yes)
At Bevin 's suggestion , the Council was seated in Strasbourg as a symbol of Franco - German rapprochement . But the Assembly had purely consultative powers and real authority rested in a Council of Ministers , created at the same time , in which Britain could rely on support , from the Scandinavians and others , for strictly inter - governmental co - operation . The Assembly 's first meeting , in September 1949 , disappointed both Britain 's Labour leaders ( who condemned it as a ‘ talk shop’ ) and European federalists ( who recognised its powerlessness ) . The Foundation of the European Community , 1950–57 In Spring 1950 Britain remained the most powerful European state .
Idiom: go with the flow (used idiomatically: no)
In a pre - scheduled address to an international banking conference attended by the Czech and Slovak finance ministers where he was to have delivered a lecture on setting up direct sales operations in Eastern Europe , Kontrax president Gabor Dixco told an embarrassed audience that the global recession , poor financial management and lack of support from the banks were to blame for the company 's collapse . Disco said ' We may have made some mistakes in our business plan when we chose to go for growth . All steep growth patterns will go with a negative cash flow and a condition for this is loyal dedicated banks and loyal employees . ' Disco added ' It is natural that a young growing company will not bother with bureaucratic controls and they often have weaker and smaller management — especially in Eastern Europe . ' The fall of Kontrax is bad news for Mirror Group pensioners — Maxwell Communications Corp Plc owned 30 % of the firm , for Compaq Computer Corp — which will now have to try to retrieve its first consignment of personal computers destined for the company from Hungarian customs authorities , and Disco himself , who opted to build his flat on top of the multi - million dollar Kontrax office building .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ No , not under the stairs , please no!’ ‘ Shut her under the stairs.’ Mike and Dermot dragged her off , still crying and screaming , while Fergal held Patsy by both his elbows , which he had pulled behind Patsy ' s back . Dermot opened the half - sized door and Mike shoved Ellie into the pitch darkness . ‘ You can grizzle and yell ' s'much as you like under there , sis,’ Dermot said .
Idiom: on the trot (used idiomatically: yes)
A bed bath ? Why ? Three mornings on the trot I 've been up there and I 've walked in the front door and I can hear him downstairs snoring , still in bed . I said to him the other morning I said do that again I said look , I 'll get you out of bed . I said I 'll give you a bed bath .
Idiom: unknown quantity (used idiomatically: yes)
Michael Barnes was forty - five , an Oxford - educated barrister who specialized in planning law and whose main involvement in major public inquiries had been on behalf of the government over the proposed Stansted Airport . The government lost . Barnes was an unknown quantity , without any clear prejudice on the nuclear issue . Knowledge of him was so slim that the magazine Private Eye even suggested mischievously that the Department of Energy computer might have mistakenly selected him instead of another man of the same name . Only after the event was over did we discover that he had in fact contributed to a booklet produced just before the 1987 general election by the Society of Conservative Lawyers .
Idiom: round the bend (used idiomatically: yes)
For he is out nearly all the time . For you can not even get him on the telephone . For he is the kind of man who has been driving women round the bend for generations . For , sad to say , this thought does not bring you to your senses . For he is charming .
Idiom: hands down (used idiomatically: yes)
Isabel 's voice was scarcely a whisper . She had to stop and try again . Before she could utter a word , however , he suddenly slid his hand down to hers and raised it to the candlelight . His eyes scanned her bare fingers and returned to her face , their icy glitter freezing her to the floor . ‘ You 're still unwed?’
Idiom: over the hill (used idiomatically: no)
The aim is to develop drugs for several inflammatory diseases , particularly respiratory . Genzyme announced last week that Ceredase , its drug for Gaucher disease , is being used in Britain for the first time in 10 patients seriously ill with the rare and potentially fatal inherited disease . Smart army WAR in the 21st century will see soldiers in ' smart ' helmets that allow them to see through clouds and over hills , according to a report from America 's National Research Council . It predicts that swarms of robots will carry out the most dangerous tasks and soldiers will be able to adapt their genetic make - up to improve the body 's protection against chemical and biological warfare . Fuel bond AN ADDITIVE that bonds diesel fuel and water to create a solution that burns cleanly without loss of power has been developed by a team led by Prof David Thorley of City University .
Idiom: taste blood (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Looking after my own , that 's what I do,’ Scamp continued as if nothing had happened . ‘ And I do it so that people know I 've been around and I 've kept my eyes open.’ ‘ You 've got the wrong bloke,’ I said , tasting blood . My lip , I think . ‘ Oh no I have n't .
Idiom: by and large (used idiomatically: yes)
But any fat the Region may once have had is long gone . The Poll Tax was the last straw . The Government 's refusal to accept needy folk ca n't pay has left the Region chasing its own tail — trying , at vast cost , to collect money that by and large simply is n't there . That is why 750 jobs are being shed and a whopping 32 per cent . rise in the Poll Tax is likely next year .
Idiom: chop and change (used idiomatically: yes)
As with redundancy , do not bring up the subject yourself but if it is discussed do not lie . Instead try to emphasize the positive aspects of your age . These may include experience , a more equable disposition , more settled way of life , less tendency to want to chop and change , no demands from a young family ( women 's work record improves as they get older ) , proven ability and reliability , a number of good references , willingness to work unsocial hours . There is a growing awareness among employers of prejudice towards older people . In the United States there is even legislation to combat it .
Idiom: take a bath (used idiomatically: yes)
Bottom Deck games , including tennis and quoits , helped to while away the time during the voyage . They were also social occasions when shipboard romances began . Clockwise Young lovers took to the lifeboats , not to save their souls but to pursue their romance in private ; passenger comforts included beauty salons : a ' young thing ' takes a Turkish bath on the Berengaria , 1923 ; tiny tots also tasted luxury aboard : a menu for a children 's tea party , 1933 ; as this menu from the Normandie shows , the cuisine on board these liners was a gourmet 's delight . Opposite All the best people travelled across the Atlantic on Cunard 's White Star Line . The company 's passenger lists glittered with film stars , aristocrats , writers , socialites , and tycoons .
Idiom: as the crow flies (used idiomatically: yes)
In my grandmother 's oft - repeated phrase , ‘ Pocklington was riddled with saddlers’ . Upon their marriage they had moved from Allerthorpe to the market town and in 1881 were living and working in the Market Place , next door to Henry King the ratcatcher and close to two other saddlers . The competition made them decide to move to Easingwold , some 22 miles away as the crow flies and nearer 28 miles along the winding roads . I always regret that as a youth it never occurred to me to ask why they chose Easingwold and how they knew of a vacancy for someone who could combine the saddlery trade with being the landlord of the Jolly Farmers pub . Nor did it occur to me then to enquire how it was possible in those days for a keen Wesleyan Methodist to become a publican .
Idiom: pissed off (used idiomatically: yes)
All is can say is that I hope England get him , with any luck we 'll be saddled with a manager that appreciates Rocky 's talent . Even turniphead wo n't have got rid of Batty , Scumtona and Rocky — is Wilko a twat or what . Yours , exceedingly disgruntled and pissed off Chris From :
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
Please open the file circled in red with a text ~ editor .
Idiom: from the word go (used idiomatically: yes)
The Reading Festival of 1988 was the worst music - related experience I have ever had , or ever expect to have . It was a celebration of all that is ugly and pointless about pop culture ; flaccid , unimaginative , shallow , a lifestyle celebration for people without a lifestyle , a mundane parade of talentless cretins performing their laughable music for the amusement of the most appalling heap of detritus I 've ever seen assembled in one place . It was a nightmare from the word go . That kind of damp , chill August day only Blighty can produce , a large , scrubby field , a bill that could make you weep it was so poor . Contrary to popular belief , rock journalists are n't only interested in backstage hospitality .
Idiom: above board (used idiomatically: yes)
Karen would n't commit adultery behind Dennis 's back , but there was nothing that excited her more than doing it under his nose . Feeling my hand on her leg , the fingers fanning out , stroking to give pleasure , squeezing to show need , a little dumbshow of love being played out on her skin . And meanwhile , above - board … ' Jane Grigson says to sweat them lightly in butter . ' ' Perspire , surely ? '
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
Room Three has powerful landscapes in a great variety of media by John Carter and Dennis Watling with landscapes overflowing into Room Four , this time predominantly in watercolour and pastel , effectively a series of one - person shows by Ronald Durrans , Maurice Heatley ( again ) , Elsie Robertson , Eric Gendle and Joan Waddington . Upstairs , Room Five opens out with a sequence of flowers paintings introduced by Tom McAndrew with a little gem of an African Violet and between the Abstracts , portraits and a few more still life paintings . Beyond in Room Eight Victoria Tansley Davison , one of four young students from Cleveland College of Art exhibited , offers a striking package deal in red , black and white of invitation card , catalogue cover , poster and carrier bag for goodies for her own projected , first one - person exhibition . Sideshow Jewellery by Jenni Neal , Cleveland Crafts Centre , Gilkes Street , Middlesbrough ( until February 22 ) Recently graduated from Epsom College of Art and Design , Jenni Neal is setting up a workshop in Cleveland where she intends to specialise in making a range of stained wood and inlaid jewellery . In this fascinating introductory Sideshow , she offers a number of choice things that range from small , long drop , earrings in silver and in pine that is coloured either red or green and retail at £ 10 a pair , to much larger things such as the brass and oxidised copper weighing Scales with their central zigzag column motif that will set you back a mere £ 270 .
Idiom: over the hill (used idiomatically: yes)
There was so much sadness , so many funerals in my mother 's childhood . Any way , Aunt Bessie brought her up in the little house built by her husband and brother - in - law which was near to South Stainmore . And , just over the hill at North Stainmore , at Dummah Hill , Great - Uncle Isaac Bayles was looking after Daddy , and training him to be a farmer . There is no doubt that both had hard lives . Mother served her time as a dressmaker with a maiden lady who had a business in Kirkby Stephen and made a bit of money that way .