Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: yes)
Winds of Change at AMERICAN EXPRESS Alan Sutton hears that technology , new markets and lower charges are closing the gap . It may seem as if it has been with us forever , but the ubiquitous American Express chargecard has , in fact , only been around for 35 years . Launched in 1958 , the card was originally made of cardboard and was the same colour as the travellers cheques the company had invented in 1891 . Today there are over 36 million cards in circulation around the world .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: no)
His meticulously kept accounts reveal a landed income of about £ 5,000 per annum and total assets at death worth about £ 180,000 , a sum which if translated roughly into modern values would put him into the multimillionaire category . His wife and his son Caleb having both died in 1696 ( the baronetcy became extinct ) , most of his wealth passed to Elizabeth and Heneage Finch who , in 1714 , was created first Earl of Aylesford . The only remaining visible signs of Banks 's life are a set of almshouses in Maidstone , built in accordance with his will , and a massive baroque tomb in Aylesford church . [ D. C. Coleman , Sir John Banks , Baronet and Businessman , 1963 ; B. D. Henning , The House of Commons 1660–1690 , 1983 . ] Elaine Barr
Idiom: run out of steam (used idiomatically: yes)
After Natal ( 43–25 ) , they saw off a punchy Orange Free State outfit ( 33–14 ) , the disappointing Junior Springboks ( 25–10 ) and a heavyweight bunch of country boys representing Central Unions ( 39–6 ) . Their hard - nosed ‘ method’ rugby and its ultimate reward when they blitzed the Springboks for the first two - thirds of the test at Ellis Park to build an unassailable 20–3 lead . But , although they nearly ran out of steam and were forced to settle for a less than emphatic 27–24 margin of victory as the ‘ Boks came back at them , Sean Fitzpatrick 's side — with the Jones boys Ian and Michael , Zinzan Brooke and Frank Bunce outstanding alongside their skipper — were worthy of being the only New Zealand side ever to go through South Africa undefeated , albeit on an abbreviated tour . The fall - out from the highly - charged display of white , predominantly Afrikaner , nationalism at Ellis Park , and the furore over the official playing of the ‘ Die Stem,’ anthem contrary to the tour agreements , rapidly marginalised the achievements of Laurie Mains and his ‘ macho’crew . Exit the All Blacks , enter the Wallabies — in South African eyes the disputed heavyweight champions of the world .
Idiom: over my dead body (used idiomatically: yes)
He had always been involved to some extent , but when an old villager came to him and said , ' You ca n't let this thing die , your father was a polemaster and we look to you to see this thing does n't stop ' , he could n't resist the challenge . He was only just in time , though , as a woodcutter had been called to cut it down . ' Over my dead body ' , said Mr Robshaw , and hurriedly called a public meeting . This was very well attended and a committee , with himself as chairman ( a post he held for the next thirty - six years ) , was elected and set to work . There seems to be no particular reason why the event is triennial , apart from the fact that it was thought the pole should be inspected , repaired and repainted at intervals of no longer than three years .
Idiom: to the letter (used idiomatically: no)
However , there may be some practical advice to be given to the party you are supposed to be advising , and you should certainly comply with the examiner 's direction as far as you are able . By the way , do not use the second person in your answer — make the answer impersonal , thus you should say ' X is liable , ' not ' You are liable . ' If the examiner has exercised his fancy by using fictitious names , like Tomkins , you are perfectly entitled to abbreviate them to the initial letter — unless , of course , two parties in the same problem have the same initial letter . RULES AND AUTHORITIES Next , a few remarks upon the giving of reasons and authorities for an opinion .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
This jockeying for the truth may be fine for doctors engaged in expensive research , but where exactly does it leave the rest of us , constantly struggling to keep up with the latest medical thinking and changing our diets accordingly . Answer : totally confused and perhaps a little angry that doctors seem as far apart in their thinking as President Bush and Saddam Hussein . Will someone please decide once and for all what we can eat and drink ! THE WOMAN CROSSWORD ACROSS :
Idiom: in the running (used idiomatically: no)
The shoguns themselves lacked the personal charisma of their early predecessors and divisions within the Bakufu hierarchy and Tokugawa followers increased . New intellectual currents began to question aspects of the status quo , demanding reconsideration of the relationship between emperor and shogun . Lower status samurai , increasingly influential in domain or Bakufu bureaucracies , began to demand a greater say in the running of political affairs . By the 1850s the tensions brought about by social , economic and political change were already beginning to pose a serious threat not merely to the rule of the Tokugawa but to the system itself . The reopening of foreign contacts with the United States and the imperialist powers of Europe rapidly brought matters to crisis point .
Idiom: pick up the pieces (used idiomatically: yes)
THE UNCERTAIN INHERITANCE 1183 — 1189 The structure of Angevin rule in Aquitaine had been severely shaken by the Young King 's intervention , but once he was gone it was not difficult to pick up the pieces . On hearing of his death Viscount Aimar and Geoffrey de Lusignan left Limoges in order to accompany his body as far as Grandmont . As the cortege approached Uzerche on its way north , the chronicler Geoffrey and a few monks from the priory of Vigeois , standing on a hill , watched it go by on the road below .
Idiom: flash in the pan (used idiomatically: yes)
For a man who always looks so morose when batting —‘I know I look a miserable sod out there , but I ca n't help it,’ he once said — and whose captaincy had previously seemed rather ordinary , it was a revelation . No one could have doubted that West Indies would fight back . Yet England had played so well that , equally , there was no reason to think it would prove to be a flash in the pan . The series was alight — only for it to be thoroughly dampened in Guyana when relentless rain washed out the second Test completely , for only the fifth time in Test history . Would this mean that England had lost their momentum ?
Idiom: bleeding heart (used idiomatically: no)
SUE BELGROVE had to tackle a wilderness when she married a farmer and moved into his 350-year - old cottage on the borders of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire . Mrs Belgrove , a 32-year - old agricultural graduate , started by hacking down trees and giant weeds , under which were plants such as sedum and aquilegia which had been hidden since before the First World War . Over the next four years , she also dug a wide herbaceous border down one side for traditional plants such as foxgloves , bleeding heart and Papaver Orientale . During this time her two - year - old daughter died . To soothe her grief , Mrs Belgrove , who had just had a little boy , designed an all - white garden beyond the lawn .
Idiom: chicken feed (used idiomatically: yes)
" No , " said James quickly,"don't do that . I 'll thank him for you . Hell , it 's chicken - feed to him . " " Shiksa - feed , " I corrected"But I must write , all the same . It really is darling of him . "
Idiom: few and far between (used idiomatically: yes)
Networx is venture - backed with funding from Vanguard Venture Partners and Paragon Venture Partners with a business plan that says it can be a $ 35 m to $ 50 m company . Paradigm is its first product with an asset management package likely to follow . As it is , ready - to - use third - party network management programmes are few and far between , forcing users to roll their own , a pricey exercise that costs anywhere from $ 100,000 to $ 250,000 an application . Paradigm , including one network management platform interface and one client , is priced at $ 10,000 . Each additional network manager client is $ 950 .
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
Perhaps you would like to help ; please do not feel maudlin or offer a vicarious prayer . Why not act and go round to your local old people 's home — it will be within walking distance — and take your children with you . Ring the bell and say that you would like to adopt an old person . Do not only go and see them , but take them out or bring them home . This is kingdom work .
Idiom: do a number on (used idiomatically: no)
I do n't know though , it would have made great television . A similar thing happened with Mel Brooks , only in reverse . He decided he wanted to do a number on the show , and then knock the piano and the orchestra into bits — destroy the whole lot . So the night before the show , the carpenters at London Weekend were working all hours , making a collapsible piano and orchestra . The next day Mel came in and said , ‘ Actually , I do n't think it 's such a great idea … .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: yes)
Peterborough : Star - struck ASTRONAUTS have saved an example of Stalinist nomenclature : the Kirov . When the opera and ballet company 's home town of Leningrad reverted last year to St Petersburg , the Kirov hoped to follow suit by returning to its old name . Founded in 1860 , it was originally called Maryinski , after the Empress Mary . But in 1937 it switched to Kirov , in honour of a local party commissar ( it transpired he was assassinated by Stalin , who thought him too popular ) .
Idiom: go places (used idiomatically: yes)
' I was training at Leeds yesterday morning and Mr Wilkinson came and said that Blackburn were in for me and I would have to go . ' The money aspect at Leeds is nothing to do with me but I could tell Mr Wilkinson was very sorry to see me go . Batty , who watched Blackburn 's disappointing goalless home League Cup draw with third division Shrewsbury Tuesday night , added : ' I have enjoyed eight good years at Leeds but I can see that Blackburn intend to go places . They have a lot of good players and are putting a lot of money into their ground . ' Mr Dalglish knows the job I can do for Blackburn — I presume it will be in midfield . '
Idiom: by the by (used idiomatically: no)
Oh yes , it was , you could get a meeting there , you could get a meeting there . And there was interest , there was heckling , there was er er er etcetera etcetera , you see ? And it had been known that er the Tories that the Tories through the medium of er the economic league , you know , their their propaganda organization , the economic league , which was er which was substantially supported by the by the coal owners . Yeah .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: yes)
JERVIS . They instruct PAMELA in the art of writing . ] About this time I had , by a certain wicked attempt — for I had a bold heart which rather put me upon courting than avoiding danger — set a hornet 's nest about my ears so I thought it better to remove myself to France and be a little more discreet in my armours . When I returned I looked upon Pamela again with no small pleasure . By the delicacy of her person and the brilliancy of her eye she had tinder enough in her constitution to catch a well struck spark and I trusted I should know how to set her ablaze in a few months more .
Idiom: in the saddle (used idiomatically: yes)
He was much clearer in this view than any of his Conservative contemporaries . He had been almost the first to express his belief in the certainty of a future Labour Government . He wanted a reunited Conservative Party , with himself firmly in the saddle , sharing power on a somewhat unequal basis with a Labour Party purged of its extremists by the occasional responsibilities of office . He wanted no instability in the middle . The two threats to this development which he saw in that late summer of 1923 were Lloyd George and unemployment .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
What did go on oh of course it was available for wedding parties , birthday parties , anything like that , it was the only hall in the area in those days . I 've been told there was some baths in there as well Well now that , that 's the thing we did appreciate , because er in those days no , no house had got its own bath it was a case of a tin bath on the hearth , but when I joined the club when I was working in the , when I was thirteen I , I left school cos me being having no father I was able to l leave school when I made me attendances , oh that 's something that might interest you I was thinking about . I see from this school report you 've shown me it said there were fifty seven in your class Well that 's , that 's , that is it you 've got the original there have n't you , that there are photostat copies but something the one that is the original copy that 's the original it is n't a copy .
Idiom: song and dance (used idiomatically: yes)
Horrifying accidents involving unguarded pto shafts continue to happen every year . But Mr Summerscales says operators ' grumbles that the guards are not strong enough to match harsh agricultural work can not be supported . ‘ If any other part of the machine broke the farmer would be down at the dealer causing a song and dance . The guard is a part of the machine , so go back and claim a new one if it breaks while still under warranty.’ One accident involving an 18-year - old farmworker highlighted the need for more training for employees .
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
That was a trifle unexpected , but Rossmayne was a man of honour and good sense . It would all be forgotten soon enough . Andrew would go back to the bright lights of the capital and she , Benedicta , would ensure that Topaz was kept too busy to think about things which could break her heart . " And if you 'll undertake her education in addition , " said Andrew as he came to the end of his story,"I would be much obliged . I shall provide funds for your Order , naturally .
Idiom: fair game (used idiomatically: yes)
There are four taxi - cabs and on average each house has two cars outside . All very well , you might say , but there is nowhere to bloody well go . Two cyclists seemed fair game to these pissed idiots so we took off for the hills , only a small range but , we were to discover , quite beautiful . Kvalvik , Lofoten The north - west - facing ridge walk was simply stunning , with wonderful views in all directions .
Idiom: hit the bottle (used idiomatically: yes)
Teetotallers are three times more likely to develop tiresome winter snuffles than moderate drinkers , researchers have found . But , with the Christmas party season in full swing , revellers are warned to stop after a few glasses . Hitting the bottle too hard means the beneficial effect of alcohol disappears . Psychologist Dr Andrew Smith said : ' A little bit of alcohol is good for you . ' The head of Cardiff University 's health psychology research unit revealed yesterday that 400 volunteers had been given cold virus nose drops .
Idiom: bring the house down (used idiomatically: yes)
His career as a musician failed to take off and in a fit of depression one night he got drunk before he was due to on stage at a trawlermen 's club in Hull . It proved a turning point in his luck and his career . He started fooling around on stage and brought the house down in the process , the tough audience quickly warming to his gritty humour . A source of constant support during the lean years was his wife Margaret Plant , known as Meg , whom he married in 1960 . Seven years later it was Meg who got him the audition on TV 's Opportunity Knocks which was to give him his big break .
Idiom: make someone's day (used idiomatically: yes)
Hiya yeah yeah oh yeah I 've just been down to oh we 've only just got in So why am I so lucky and I got you as well ? just to make my day just to make my day yeah well , I was n't sure what those you see , hang on a minute mum so er she said she 'll either get the twelve or the one so I went down to see if she was on the twelve o'clock bus , and she was n't so I thought well I 'll try again and Well do n't they have cheaper ones there ?
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: no)
The Chancellor has urged us to spend and invest . There is fat chance of that for as long as the Government allows the banks to carry on with their grasping one - way policy . We need interest rate cuts and we need them now in our pockets where we can feel them . Glazing a trail JACKIE and Jaafer Sheblee used the kind of high - pressure tactics that double - glazing salesman often use .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
Some or all of the " convergence " could still be accounted for in terms of speaker 1 's stereotype of how speaker 2 " should " sound . Towards a " micro " ethnographic sociolinguistics Taking stock of some of the ideas discussed above , we can speculate that individuals , when they speak , adopt a particular posture or footing in relation to their interlocutor or audience ; and that each footing in turn is associated with a persona , a " someone " who that speaker is " being " at that particular moment . This is especially clear in the case of bilinguals who code switch , whose personas may be indexed — though only in a gross way — by language . The persona , in turn , may represent a fictive group who the speaker " wants to be like " at that particular moment ; or rather , who the speaker wants to appear to be like ; in terms of speech , wants to sound like .
Idiom: dog eat dog (used idiomatically: yes)
It is not a simulation but a framework within which top health and social services managers can review progress on real life community care issues , within their own agencies as well as jointly . Its design was clearly led by operational managers , with academics and consultants in a supporting role . Most importantly , its key objective was to promote openness and trust at the top level , a refreshing contract to the dog - eat - dog approach being bred into far too many managers in this sado - masochistic age . Salford was the first district to try out The X Factor . Chief Officers of the DHA , FHSA and SSD met at Salford University .
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
I can sing God Save the Queen in several languages , including Irish ! I missed the boat because —’ He stopped , laughing in his turn . ‘ Well , come to think of it , I was detained on urgent business with a Catholic . A wee green patriot , indeed . Are you coming?’
Idiom: all along (used idiomatically: no)
Come on out!’ As she opened the door Victoria saw the small group of photographers outside , waiting patiently under the small horse - chestnut tree opposite her house . Heads turned all along the quiet Kensington street . She quickly smoothed her hair , then kissed the children and said goodbye to them . They looked at her in surprise as the lenses clicked .
Idiom: close call (used idiomatically: yes)
South Africans go for trial by television SOUTH AFRICA hope to be the first country to use television replays to assist the umpires when they play home Tests against India later this year . Ali Bacher , managing director of South Africa 's United Cricket Board , said yesterday that they had recommended to the Indian Board of Control that a third umpire assist the standing umpire by viewing the replay in close calls . ‘ The third umpire in the umpire 's room can assist the standing umpire , if requested , in immediately determining a run out , stumping or hit wicket decision when the standing umpire is uncertain in those three situations,’ Bacher said . Replays would be used only during Test matches .
Idiom: sit tight (used idiomatically: yes)
He pushed open the passenger side door and clambered out , turning to look back at Scott . ‘ This should n't take long,’ he said , smiling , the wind ruffling his long blond hair . ‘ Just sit tight.’ Scott nodded , watching as Hitch scuttled across the road and disappeared out of sight as he began to descend the embankment steps towards the pier . Scott switched on the radio , heard pop music , twiddled the frequency dial past classical and reggae and finally found a discussion programme .
Idiom: on your toes (used idiomatically: yes)
Then each man ploughed his own stetch after the first baiter had laid the top . That system was better in a way . It kept you on your toes . As soon as you had a break in your ploughing you 'd walk along the headlings to have a look at your neighbour 's work , to see where he had gone wrong , or if his ploughing was better than yours . It would n't do just to have straight furrows : a good ploughman also had to have a good top to the stetch — the furrows lying all flat and even .
Idiom: with a vengeance (used idiomatically: yes)
Destefani won the Unlimited Gold in 1987 , had disappointing years in 1988 and 1989 , finished third in 1990 and a close second in 1991 . Is this the start of a winning streak for Destefani and his in - line powered Strega ? You can bet the Rare Bear team will be back with a vengeance . See what happens at next year 's National Championship Air Races , September 16/19 , 1993 . ‘ and an auction!’
Idiom: go places (used idiomatically: no)
I know what I 'm doing . ' Rex went dandle dandle with the smelly brat . ' I 'm going no place until we get this sorted . Lazlo Woodbine does n't work with animals or children . ' ' I thought you had a dog named Blue , a fish called Wanda , a learned pig , a horse with no … '
Idiom: white hat (used idiomatically: yes)
Some way past the hotel , still on the few hundred yards of concrete ' promenade ' , I saw a very tall elderly man standing and bending in the middle of the road , apparently looking for something . He looked up as I approached — he was really remarkably tall and strikingly well - dressed for Phraxos ; evidently one of the summer visitors . He wore a pale fawn suit , a white gardenia in his button - hole , an old - fashioned white panama hat with a black band , and he had a small goatee beard . He was holding by its middle a cane with a meerschaum handle , and he looked gravely distressed , as well as naturally grave . I asked in Greek if he had lost anything .
Idiom: in the clear (used idiomatically: yes)
Lake Mývatn has the privilege of being the only European breeding station for Barrow 's goldeneye , a duck of American origin , and in the River Laxa which flows from Mývatn to the sea , you are assured of seeing the beautiful Harlequin duck , another New World species which also has its only European outpost here . To the keen birdwatcher these two species alone are worth an expedition . The name Mývatn means ‘ midge lake’ and the principal reason the lake supports a large population of birds and fish is the astronomical numbers of chironomid and simuliid larvae which hatch out in the clear water . Important as they may be to the birds and trout , they can be very annoying to humans and , although they may not bite , the sheer numbers of midges and blackflies have been known to send birdwatchers — and particularly photographers — into paroxysms of rage and frustration . But it is still a wonderful place to visit .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: yes)
These concerns were forgotten a few days later when Diana rose at dawn and travelled to the Lambourn home of Nick Gaselee , Charles 's trainer , to watch him ride his horse , Allibar . As she and his detective observed the Prince put the horse through its paces on the gallops Diana was seized by another premonition of disaster . She said that Allibar was going to have a heart attack and die . Within seconds of her uttering those words , 11-year - old Allibar reared its head back and collapsed to the ground with a massive coronary . Diana leapt out of the Land Rover and raced to Charles 's side .