Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: cut the mustard (used idiomatically: yes)
You would think that one of us might scurry around for a new word instead of accepting linguistic hand - me - downs . Or perhaps that 's the point : the phrase is the same because the experience is the same . [ Honeymoon , by the way , just in case you ca n't cut the etymological mustard , has only in recent times come to denote a nuptial holiday involving the purchase of duty - free goods and the taking of too many colour prints of exactly the same scene . Dr Johnson , in his intermittently droll Dictionary , was for once not attempting to stir mirth when he defined it thus : ' The first month after marriage , when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure . ' Voltaire , an altogether more sympathetic figure , who incidentally used to serve himself the best Burgundy while giving his guests vin ordinaire , observed in one of his philosophical tales that la lune de miel is followed the next month by la lune de l'absinthe . ] )
Idiom: rub shoulders (used idiomatically: yes)
The new , fresh faces will also have the nine - strong line - up for the biennial Vagliano event at Nairn in their sights this year , and it will be hoping to help the home side lift the Trophy for a fifth time in succession . Selection for the team events will be based on results in the ever growing events ' list . The British Women 's Amateur Championship , at Pannal in June , remains the top event on the calendar , while the amateurs also relish the opportunity to rub shoulders with the pros in the British Women 's Open in August . The 1991 amateur circuit will kick off in traditional fashion with the Roehampton Gold Cup next month , while established tournaments like the Astor , Wentworth and Critchley Salvers , the St. Rule and Helen Holm Trophies , plus the ever - growing list of 36-hole ‘ open’ tournaments , make life as an amateur a carefully planned operation . Sally Hepburn , Tournament Secretary of the Ladies ' Golf Union at St . Andrews has an annual meeting with her neighbours , the Royal and Ancient Golf Club , to sort through the maze of men 's and women 's British amateur events , and admits that it is a task that grows harder each season .
Idiom: pass the time of day (used idiomatically: yes)
I had disguised myself with an old cardigan with faded leather elbow patches and a copy of the Daily Express . Lunch was an avocado and prawn sandwich and a carton of mango juice , which I admit were a bit out of character but otherwise I looked for all the world like a real musher . I must have done , as not only did the Old Bill and the Ritas ( as in Meter Maid ) ignore me , but a real cabbie parked nearby came over to pass the time of day . He told me how he 'd been conned three times that week by people who took ten - quid rides , then said they had n't any cash but offered to leave a watch with him while they went inside ( usually a block of flats ) to get some dosh . Of course they never came out and he was left with three digital watches which , in the cold light of day , turned out to be worth approximately 99p each retail , 30p wholesale .
Idiom: gild the lily (used idiomatically: yes)
A good school should educate the whole person not just develop each child 's true potential at GCSE and A level , he said . ‘ Gilding the lily’ PLANS to rename Scarborough Technical College the Yorkshire Coast College of Further and Higher Education have been delayed while the Yorkshire Coast 's other colleges at Redcar and Bridlington are consulted by North Yorkshire County Council . Coun Arthur Collinge condemned the ‘ competitive status seeking’ of colleges that are seeking to gild the lily with new names . No shortage A NATIONAL shortage of school governors will not affect North Yorkshire , county councillors have been assured .
Idiom: off the beaten track (used idiomatically: yes)
The church mentioned above , which is sited on top of a steep hill , was built in 1735 and has beautiful inlaid wooden alters of that era . Waasen lies at the mouth of the Meien valley and for the motorist with a day in hand to spare it can be an ideal starting point for the famed Three Alpine Passes round trip . That trip is by no means " off the beaten track " and will not be detailed here . As it maybe a tempting detour , however , for any who have not previously toured the passes of the glacial Alps , an outline of the circuit is briefly summarised : The Meien valley road climbs up west from Wassen through varied alpine landscape including tunnels , through one of which it traverses the Susten pass summit ( 2,224 m , 7,295 ft ) .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
‘ This result is exactly what I was looking for , ’ Prost said . ‘ It is very difficult to overtake on this circuit , so it was really mission impossible to get ahead of Senna and Berger in the early stages . Shortly after the start I had problems with Gerhard 's oil all over my visor , so I just drove my taxi home to take third place . ’ Clearly , the gearbox remained the Achilles ' heel for the McLaren-Honda and it will doubtless cause Senna one or two anxious moments before this season ends in Adelaide on 5 November . ‘ I know it 's going to be very hard for me , ’ said Senna .
Idiom: have an eye for (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's people like you who are the cynics —’ ‘ And who are ‘ people like me’?’ he queried mildly . ‘ People who always have an eye for the main chance ! Who see everything in terms of … of balance sheets and profitability and viability!’ Anger and frustration made her warm to her theme regardless of diplomacy .
Idiom: go public (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's an important debate . Small and medium - sized companies are , after all , still the big companies of the future . Going public is an ideal way of doing this for the right company , but , unlike in the mid-1980s , it will not be an option for many smaller companies with most flotations now capitalised at over £ 25 m . ' It may well be inappropriate for such smaller companies to join the main stock market , ' he continued , ' but that does n't solve their funding problem . There is a gap between development capital , which has an important part to play , and a full flotation .
Idiom: get to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Too well paid,’ called Sergeant Lothar to loud laughter from the gathering crowd . ‘ All you have to do is stand back and fire your crossbow at those green - skinned devils . It 's we halberdiers who 'll have to get to grips with them . Doubtless while our noble lords and masters stand back and applaud themselves for winning yet another battle.’ Eusebio gave an eloquent shrug .
Idiom: out of sorts (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Are you all right ? I was coming up to get something , so I thought I 'd see … . We thought you looked a bit out of sorts.’ Coming up to get what ? An ear - ring , left behind in the bed ?
Idiom: for my money (used idiomatically: yes)
' What do you reckon happened ? ' I knew he could n't resist being asked his professional opinion . ' For my money she just came over the top of the hill from the Broughton side too fast . Its straight up that side — ' he waved his clipboard at the hill — ' but it twists this side . She did n't correct enough or she lost control or maybe she 'd had a few bevvies .
Idiom: sleight of hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Such a good show , such a good set - up — everything arranged for a fine performance . I give a magic show … First Marianne — a simple sleight of hand . Then Nick — a little playlet of magic and deceit . … and someone dies .
Idiom: come full circle (used idiomatically: yes)
The Music Section included Arnold Schoenberg . The reassertion of the state / civil society opposition is documented by the fact that all of the above names either quit or were excluded from the Akademie in 1933 . We have come full circle now . In our delineation of different national and urban modernisms in Paris , Vienna , and Berlin , we began with discussion of the Bürgertum or bourgeoisie and have ended with discussion of bürgerliche Gesellschaft or civil society . At the very beginning , modernism was defined in terms of the disruption of bourgeois identity .
Idiom: the joke is on someone (used idiomatically: yes)
The pest controllers however , were confronted with an even bigger menace , in the form of a sealy dinosaur . The Arches exhibition organisers had placed a dinosaur around a corner and asked them to deal with it . George and Alex soon realised the joke was on them . However they played along and phoned R & D for their help and advice on prehistoric monsters . We 're not known as the first in Pest Control for nothing .
Idiom: go for the jugular (used idiomatically: yes)
' Cara Kingsdale — Mrs Barnaby Stewart — is my sister . ' Fabia was not sure what she expected after that . Probably that Ven would go for her jugular in no uncertain fashion for the deception she had played on him . But to her amazement he did nothing of the kind , but , shaking his head as if he had been under some kind of stress , ' I did n't think I could have got your innocence so completely wrong , ' he stated gruffly . And as colour started to return to his face .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
While the industry 's future lay in Europe he also stressed the vital need to retain the auction system . ' I have been in the trade all my life and I would say that is the way forward for the young farmers of today , ' said Lord Geraint . ' By taking your stock to the market or to the shows you can compare your stock with others around you . ' Around 70pc of lambs were sold through the auction and the big meat exporters were now buying in the markets as well as the big supermarkets . With the support of Europe he sees a valid future for the younger generation .
Idiom: small print (used idiomatically: yes)
I remember that at the first European Council which my right hon . Friend the Member for Finchley and I attended together , in Stuttgart , it was reaffirmed as a clear objective . The Single European Act in 1985 reaffirmed the need to make concrete progress towards European unity in accordance with the Stuttgart declaration . There has always been a temptation to regard the successive recommitments to the central political purpose of the Community as being confined to the small print , to be accepted only through gritted teeth and only on our terms . But it was never thus . It was always part of the process whose importance was made clear at the outset .
Idiom: bend someone's ear (used idiomatically: no)
she should sit beside him on the sofa , bend down her ear to him and hear him confide that he had had the firm intention of sending her to the Conservatorium , and that , but for his mishap , last Christmas - surely Christmas was long past ? - he would have announced it to everybody without allowing a single objection .
Idiom: go to town (used idiomatically: yes)
I felt as if my soul was filling with honey and manna and that I was being brought to a mystic feast . Far below me the sea was making its lacework on the water and flinging wreaths of gold on the shore . All day long I felt calm and joy , and it was the same when I went to the town and talked to the serving people and friends that I met , for I looked at people from the universal viewpoint of the Eternal . I saw in all of them the potential of poets and mystics . I pierced the mask of the temporal that is a facade made hideous by the graffiti of desires and I saw behind it the real of human beings , that is , a masterpiece on the wheel of Eternity .
Idiom: chop and change (used idiomatically: yes)
We were a bit Why did n't you ask ? That 's why we were chopping and changing because some of you 'd say one thing somebody that couple of times Well you could have asked you know .
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
I mean , I it 's it 's so it really does it does . When we are trying to get into equal opportunities and , as I say , I agree with you entirely , but I still think that the best person for the job I I I take , I I take that equal opportunities does raise peoples erm , blood pressure to say the least . I think that the points that I want to make here , because people come from different positions , is one , this is a long term strategy . Right , in ot other words , within four to eight years .
Idiom: turn the tables (used idiomatically: yes)
But that could change . A study by William Hamilton , a graduate at Britain 's Kingston Business School , compares BA 's global network with those of its nearest rivals ( American Airlines , United and Delta ) . It shows that if one of the American majors strikes up a big overseas alliance , the tables could quickly be turned . That might happen soon . Delta already has links with Singapore Airlines and Swissair , and American Airlines has been quietly talking with Germany 's Lufthansa about a possible partnership .
Idiom: make the cut (used idiomatically: yes)
Immediately before cutting , a sense of numbness or emptiness may be described . In some cases , depersonalization ( a sense of detachment between mind and body ) or dissociation ( a disturbance of conscious awareness ) seem to occur . The cut may be made with little or no apparent awareness , the patient suddenly discovering that she has cut herself and at the same time experiencing a sense of relief . The sight of blood seems to be an important component of the process , and it often provides the patient with the sense of relief which may be mingled with feelings of disgust or guilt . Most patients rarely report experiencing pain during the act of cutting .
Idiom: keep the peace (used idiomatically: yes)
By 9 January 1177 he had besieged Dax , which had been held against him by the Viscount of Dax and Bigorre , and taken it ; he had besieged Bayonne , which the Viscount of Bayonne had held against him , and taken it ; he had marched right up to " the Gate of Spain " at Cize and there he had captured and demolished the castle of St Pierre . This lightning campaign undertaken in the depths of winter while most people were still celebrating Christmas had the desired effect . The leaders of the Basque and Navarrese communities swore that they would keep the peace and allow pilgrims to pass unmolested . Then Richard returned to Poitiers and from there , on 2 February , he sent envoys to his father reporting his success and announcing that he had pacified all parts of Aquitaine . It was an exaggeration .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
Behind the familiar trestle table with its grey army blanket , sat the commanding officer flanked by two others of lesser rank . They wore patrol uniform of rifle green . Silver cross belts blazoned battle honours across their chests and silver spurs gleamed under the table . In front of each a Tam o'Shanter called a caubeen sported a pale blue hackle made of feathers . Charles felt a bit starchy in battle dress which had only just been issued to the TA .
Idiom: go hand in hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Pity the poor golfer who never had a Guinness . From that day in 1862 , when Guinness adopted the traditional Irish harp as its trade mark , a symbolic seal was set on the special bond between Guinness and Ireland . For Guinnessness and Irishness go hand in hand , or glass in hand , and mean a good deal more than an island of soft green hues and a drink that 's a subtle black and white . FORTY SHADES OF GUINNESS Guinness plays a key role in the Irish economy where an immense contribution is made each year ; for instance , over IR£200 million is spent annually on the wages and salaries bill for its 3,000 employees up and down the country , along with the purchase of home grown raw materials and other requirements for its operations in the Republic .
Idiom: run something up the flagpole (used idiomatically: yes)
Vic keeps Baxter in suspense for a few moments , while he reviews the advantages of having him under an obligation . ' About that automatic core blower … ' ' Send me a Capex and I 'll run it up the flagpole . ' ' Thanks , ' says Vic . ' Will do . '
Idiom: on the face of it (used idiomatically: yes)
I hand initially intended to start this column with the first sentence of what is now its second paragraph , but felt it would amusingly underscore the premise of the piece — the ubiquity and infinite adaptability of Magritte 's once exclusively surrealist insights — were it to open thus . THE SURREAL THING : Air France 's strangely familiar billboard No one surely needs reminding of the intimate ( and , on the face of it , incongruous ) relationship between advertising and surrealism — the surrealism of Magritte in particular . As I write , I can think of a couple of billboard posters that make no attempt to conceal their debt to the Belgian fantasist : a Silk Cut advertisement , which discards the regular purple silk motif in favour of a neutral cream back ground on which are set the letters P U R P L and E , snipped from some newspaper 's headlines as if by a poison pen writer ; and another whose legend , ‘ I did n't know that Air France had more flights to Paris than any other airline company’ , is illustrated by the portrait of a man whose face is obscured by a fried egg . The former derives from Ceci n'est pas une pipe , the latter from a celebrated self - portrait in which an outsized apple conceals the painter 's features .
Idiom: in a nutshell (used idiomatically: yes)
OUR January issue cover story was the first comprehensive airing of the pros and cons regarding South Africa 's suitability as the next venue . The view we took was , in a nutshell , that the venue . The view we took was , in a nutshell , that the volatile nature of the South African political arena outweighed not only its magnificent facilities , but also the anti - apartheid emotional legacy of welcoming back the Springboks . Rugby is identified so strongly as an Afrikaner sport by the black majority that there appears little doubt that it will become a political football . Steve Tshwete , himself a former flanker and now the ANC 's chief of sport , told RW&P in an exclusive interview to be published next month , that sportsmen would be expected to ‘ take the field wearing armbands and stickers on their kits showing their commitment to peace and democracy in South Africa’ and to ‘ show their support for out struggle by visiting the scene of the Boipatong massacre’ .
Idiom: open someone's eyes (used idiomatically: yes)
Abigail 's door was ajar and he went into the room , bringing a segment of light with him , a triangle that fell short a yard from her cot . Instead of bending over her , he knelt down and looked at her face through the bars . She opened her eyes , but , like Lady Macbeth 's , their sense was shut . Awake , she never looked at him without smiling . She did not smile now but her eyelids with those amazing lashes slowly closed and Abigail gave a sigh , wriggled her body , moved her head and subsided back into deep sleep .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
The national six o'clock news had just begun when the blue transit van pulled into one of the numerous lay - bys on the hard shoulder of the southbound ringroad . Lena Rodenko killed the engine and turned off the monotonous drone of propaganda . She pushed a cigarette between her dry lips then fumbled in her coat pocket for a lighter and , cupping her trembling fingers around the flame , lit it and inhaled deeply . She was naturally attractive but took no interest in her personal appearance . Her short red hair was crudely shaped in a wedge and her pallid cheeks and small chin were peppered with unsightly acne .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
Is that definite ? That 's definite yes . I mean , it 's , it 's er , it 's er very regrettable that it literally takes er a very good er Cup er run for Oxford to stand any chance of breaking even in a season , and if you consistently lose anywhere between ten and fourteen thousand pounds a week , er it 's almost inevitable that you will have to close . So is it your last attempt at er trying to retain professional football in Oxford ? It 's very much the last attempt — not er , not for , from the point of view of negotiating or er , but , but simply a matter of fact , er we need erm we need to move , we need to have additional sources of , sources of income , that er the type of facility that we 're looking to build will give the club to put it on a firm financial footing , and at the same time to give the local people of the City and er the , the surrounding County er tremendous new facilities .
Idiom: heart to heart (used idiomatically: yes)
At one stage I thought he used to pick on me . When I told my mum I was pregnant she phoned my dad up . As he was doing night work I did n't see him until Saturday when we had a good heart - to - heart talk , it was really nice . I 'd never felt he cared for me but at last we sat and talked . He said,"I've talked to Mum about it and if you do n't want to get married then no one is going to force you to .
Idiom: call it a day (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Willie,’ called his gentleman , ‘ Willie , the other end.’ The gillie , blind as a bat , was bashing away at the fish 's tail . So he agreed to call it a day . But I still have a map drawn by one of his colleagues , marking all the main sea - trout and salmon lies on Stack ; worth its weight in gold , quite irreplaceable . The best Scourie brown trout lochs require a fair degree of fitness to reach .
Idiom: sit tight (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ It 's burglars!’ hissed the mother . ‘ They 're in the dining - room!’ ‘ I think they are,’ the father said , sitting tight . ‘ Then go and catch them , Harry!’ hissed the mother . ‘ Go out and collar them red - handed!’
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: no)
' People will be less frightened . And more and more will come out on the streets . ' A message from a local party leader was broadcast on Karl Marx Square , calling for dialogue with all groups . If that offer is serious , it will mark a radical change in policy . Many Germans express scepticism about how amenable to reform the hardline regime can be .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
Revisionist research has credited the revolutionary intelligentsia with a somewhat more modest role than does each of the three traditional schools of thought . The focus of this research has reflected growing awareness that preoccupation with a handful of leading figures may create a distorted picture ; that Chernyshevsky , Plekhanov and Lenin may not be typical in terms of social background , personality or motivation ; that both their own ideological development and that of the rank and file must be more firmly located in its social context ; that the schemes and blueprints drawn up by leaders — and the criticisms hurled by their rivals — may be a poor guide to how the revolutionary parties actually functioned . More attention , therefore , has been paid to the process by which rank - and - file intelligenty were recruited into the underground ; the interaction between their ideological development and the popular pressure for change welling up from below ; the social composition and structure of the revolutionary organizations they created ; and the impact which those organizations had upon the masses they sought to represent . The effect has been to highlight weaknesses in each of the traditional interpretations and to demythologize the revolutionary intelligentsia . The source of radicalism among the intelligentsia
Idiom: jump on the bandwagon (used idiomatically: no)
As Harvey Postlethwaite , now Tyrrell 's chief designer , remarked at the time : ' If you 're slightly out in your calculations , then you 're completely wrong . ' Lotus was slightly out and the 80 was an unmitigated disaster . McLaren jumped on the ground - effects bandwagon with the M28 , reasoning that the bigger the ground - effects area , the better the car would be . After just three races the team gave up and started to work on something smaller and lighter . Arrows produced the A2 — a weird - looking device which was promptly tagged ' the doodlebug ' .