Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: take it or leave it (used idiomatically: yes)
' It 's too much ! ' he hissed at the madam . ' For what you want to do , it 's a bargain . Take it or leave it . ' He half turned , indecisive , and Huy caught sight of a grey profile , vaguely familiar , but the man turned back to Nubenehem before he could place it . ' All right .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
. I mean I know we 've had a car and we know . And we 've been all over the place have n't we Arthur . And then when it 's been our turn to come , we broke down . I I wo n't forget .
Idiom: hold the purse strings (used idiomatically: yes)
Feedback is crucial , otherwise staff feel uninvolved and unable to participate in improving service standards . Arm 's - length monitoring Service managers in public sector services usually both hold the purse - strings and are responsible for quality standards , and the tensions implicit in having this dual responsibility should be recognized . Where such a dual management function exists , an external group of people should be appointed to evaluate the performance of the service against agreed criteria . Public authorities refer to this kind of ‘ almost independent’ quality - monitoring system as ‘ arm 's - length’monitoring , and local authorities are now required by statute to establish ‘ arms - length’monitoring of their own residential care homes .
Idiom: in the offing (used idiomatically: yes)
There are bound to be some tears around the 4th and 10th but , with Jupiter in Libra for the first time in a decade , you can not allow yourself to be constrained any more . Events on the 19th will boost your confidence and bank balance . After the 22nd , the spotlight falls on travel and projects which have been in the offing since around June . Now it 's time to take off and enjoy yourself . Justin Toper is a Libran .
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
At breeding colonies air is filled with deafening cries of ‘ kitt - ee - wayke’ , also has a low ‘ uk - uk - uk’ and a wailing note . Flight as graceful and buoyant as Black - headed Gull ; habitually follows ships . Breeds on ledges on sea cliffs and in sea caves , exceptionally also on buildings , shingle or dunes by the sea ; in winter mainly well out at sea , though flocks occasionally visit coast . 16 in . ( 41 cm . ) RSmw Map 120
Idiom: lay a finger on (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I suppose Iris has been telling you about my chats with ‘ the nutter’ , as she calls him?’ ‘ You ca n't pretend he 's normal and it 's no secret that he did n't see eye to eye with Alain.’ ‘ Fernand has been badly traumatised , but he 's a gentle soul and would n't lay a finger on anyone,’ Melissa insisted . Jack shook his head . ‘ That really is n't the point , Melissa .
Idiom: power behind the throne (used idiomatically: no)
Power is a redundant resource unless it is used , and influence is the use of power . Sometimes , influential people are not the most overtly powerful . They can be the ‘ power behind the throne– , using what power they have to its fullest potential : analysing situations , forming appropriate alliances and putting messages over in a palatable way to the right audience . This chapter examines different ways of exercising power . It gives practical suggestions on how to develop your influencing skills , on how to become more versatile when influencing and on how to choose what tactics are best for the situation .
Idiom: go it alone (used idiomatically: yes)
The social worker can give them emotional support too , strengthening any network of support that already exists from relatives , friends and neighbours , or trying to form one for them if they are in a position of isolation . The modern social worker 's role is an enabling one , helping elderly people to make the best use of their own inner resources as well as the many social services available , and to retain some independence for as long as possible . Elderly people and their families who wish to ' go it alone , so far as obtaining outside help is concerned are , of course , quite at liberty to do so , and four of the large organisations who can give advice on a great variety of problems are : The National Council of Social Service , 26 , Bedford Square , London WC1B 3HU . Age Concern , 60 , Pitcairn Road , Mitcham , Surrey CR4 3LL .
Idiom: stroke of luck (used idiomatically: yes)
One of the main topics of this chapter is miracles and what we mean by them . My thesis will be that events that we commonly call miracles are not supernatural , but are part of a spectrum of more - or - less improbable natural events . A miracle , in other words , if it occurs at all , is a tremendous stroke of luck . Events do n't fall neatly into natural events versus miracles . There are some would - be events that are too improbable to be contemplated , but we ca n't know this until we have done a calculation .
Idiom: sick as a parrot (used idiomatically: yes)
It even scrolls horizontally instead of vertically ! Peter Beardsley International Football As sick as a parrot . Almost as naff as Pete 's pudding - bowl haircut . It might as well go and play for Newcastle !
Idiom: lay a finger on (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ My wife and kiddie,’ Rab said . He ground his teeth . ‘ If they had touched , just laid a finger on either one of them.’ Phillis felt light , giddy with pleasure . The rage in Rab .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: no)
Nasty business . And the long and the short of it I 'm afraid is , your mother 's gone.’ He turned and walked over to the window where he stood looking out with his hands clasped behind his back . Artemis did n't understand what he meant , but dared not ask him . ‘ So there you are,’ her father concluded , once again clearing his throat .
Idiom: pick up the tab (used idiomatically: yes)
In both cases a site visit will usually be made by the inspector , so he or she can see the property , usually accompanied by the appellant and the council . Neighbours may also attend by asking the inspector in advance — it is a good idea to include this request when you write to the inspector outlining your objections . Normally , developers paying a barrister to represent them at an inquiry must pick up the tab . But if the DoE decides that the council has acted unreasonably , the developer may claim costs back from the council . Equally , if the developer acted unreasonably , the council and third parties may be able to claim their costs from the developer .
Idiom: in business (used idiomatically: yes)
Left to their own devices , global financial markets provide too much credit at too cheap a price in good times , and too little credit in bad times . The only effective response is counter - cyclical capital - account management : discouraging foreign borrowing during economic upswings and preventing capital flight during downswings . So , instead of frowning on capital controls and pushing for financial openness , the International ~ Monetary ~ Fund should be in the business of actively helping countries implement such policies .
Idiom: for a song (used idiomatically: yes)
What did you win ? Cos I did I won one for the poem and one for the song . Very good ! And you know I went swimming today ?
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
Bard blues : As You Like It , due to be staged at the Liverpool Empire on Monday , has been cancelled because of‘a lack of support.’ Annual service : An annual memorial service is to be held at Anfield Crematorium tomorrow at 3 pm . Bizarre stunts for Africa trip By Richard Williams Daily Post Staff AN ADVENTUROUS woman has been selected for an expedition to study the rare black rhinoceros in Africa .
Idiom: catch fire (used idiomatically: yes)
Do not put fluffy rugs in front of open fires , where they are in the direct line of sparks . Do not try to draw up an open fire with a sheet of newspaper . Nine times out of ten it will catch fire in your hands . Do not throw rubbish onto an open fire in the living room . Many packaging materials contain highly flammable substances that could make a fire suddenly flare up .
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
Wolverton Works supplied this Northampton train , which went via Blisworth . When the Wolverton Shed went in 1882 to Northampton , a works shunting engine did this service ( manned by Bletchley Shed men ) until the early 1920s . Around the turn of the century men from Potterspury formed a club with a view to purchase a horse and brake to convey them to and from Wolverton . The prime mover was George Dodson . This group of men called their transport The Mail , and it was hauled by a mare they called ‘ Polly Stuart–.
Idiom: dig deep (used idiomatically: yes)
Funny old business . . Well I 've heard it before that a , said , said before that a , that , that the plant roots curl up to the surface to meet , rather than digging down deep and . Hm . Heading for the goodies that way .
Idiom: face the music (used idiomatically: yes)
Under the new policy , anyone working on the twelfth floor will need to go down to the first floor to clock out , to the fourth floor to find a smoking room , down to the first to clock on again and back to the twelfth to carry on working . The County Council is providing free counselling sessions for anyone who decides that smoking 's just too much of a fag . Still to come on Central News , facing the music . Can an expert tell the difference between top price and budget compact discs ? And , a moving tale .
Idiom: rough and tumble (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yes Please’ is n't about thrills and pills , it 's not meant to be consumed through a pumping club sound system , it 's altogether on a much mellower tip . Whereas the Mondays were once upfront and in your face , now they 've polished up their act , they 've sacrificed the power punch of their old menace . Gone is the Mondays ' rough and tumble free - for - all of , say , ‘ Wrote For Luck’ , replaced by the spliffed - out , laid - back groove and surprisingly sexy undercurrent of ‘ Stinkin ' , Thinkin ’’ . Even the dirty - phonecall vocals have been put on hold , with Shaun 's monochrome monotone given more emotional support than usual by Rowetta . ‘ Yes Please’ is n't designed to blow you into oblivion , more lull you into a false sense of security .
Idiom: beat about the bush (used idiomatically: yes)
But she would risk his anger to satisfy her need to know . ‘ No , I damn well do n't know what the hell is going on in that pretty little head of yours , but I 'm fast losing patience . If you have something to say then say it , but stop beating about the bush.’ Alyssia took a deep breath to steady her nerves , and then said unsteadily , ‘ Nicole is more to you than just a friend , is n't she ? You 're more involved with her than you want to let on , are n't you?’
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: yes)
And she would n't let Lucenzo crush her . She recalled that he 'd spoken with passion about his family … If he was devoted to his wife and children then he must have a soft heart beneath that refrigerated exterior . She must persevere with him . At last Lucenzo buttoned his coat , and she pulled on her woollen gloves just as the taxi came to a halt .
Idiom: stay the course (used idiomatically: yes)
But it is critically important that the new administration pay serious attention to other foreign - policy issues right from the start . American relations with North ~ Korea , and the ongoing six - party talks , certainly belong at the top of the list . Here , the United ~ States must not only stay the course , but also build on the efforts of the last few years . The risks of changing course can not be overstated . Not long after President George ~ W .~ Bush came into office , his administration took a hard - line stance against the North ~ Korean regime , calling for a review of the Clinton administration ’s policy , and eventually tagging North ~ Korea as a member of the “ axis of evil . ”
Idiom: yesterday's news (used idiomatically: yes)
By DAVID MCKITTRICK , Ireland Correspondent THE ALLEGATION that the Royal Ulster Constabulary contains an ' Inner Circle ' of officers preparing private lists of IRA suspects and working against the Anglo - Irish agreement has lent a new dimension to the security force - loyalist collusion saga . The claim came in yesterday 's Irish News , Belfast 's Roman Catholic morning paper . Terry McLaughlin , its deputy editor , said he had been shown sensitive and detailed files by a representative of the ' Inner Circle ' . He said he had met the man , whose bona fides he had checked .
Idiom: at full tilt (used idiomatically: yes)
He visited his father 's body where it lay in the abbey church of Fontrevault . Showing no emotion , he remained only a few minutes before turning away . It is said that as he left , blood flowed from the nostrils of the dead king , a fact which some took as a sign since the body of a murdered man will bleed in the presence of his murderer ; but Henry 's death was the outcome of a life lived at full tilt . Richard 's only part was to hasten his father more quickly towards his end . Richard I was crowned in England at Westminster on 3rd September 1189 and immediately set about raising money for the crusade .
Idiom: on the rebound (used idiomatically: yes)
Rangers , of course , have had to make do without Gough on numerous occasions this season because of injury and , while acknowledging that he is inspirational , they have not found the loss costly . For the first time this season , though , Rangers have gone two successive domestic matches without winning and in these times at Ibrox that is as close as it gets to a crisis . United would have sent Rangers into tomorrow night 's match at Motherwell on the rebound from their first defeat in 37 matches , too , had it not been for the exceptional goalkeeping of Andy Goram once again . In Gough 's opinion , Goram is Rangers ' most consistent player this season . ‘ Andy makes crucial saves for us at vital times in matches and we have actually come to expect that of him,’ said Gough .
Idiom: drop someone a line (used idiomatically: yes)
I dunno really , See if he 's written , I doubt if he 's dropped a line to me . Er seventeenth of June , so that 's not last week 's is it ?
Idiom: out on a limb (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ No point in asking if there 's any leads on the orderly,’ I said . ‘ No point at all my gumshoe friend . The cops are out on a limb . And by the evening editions every hack in town will be sawing away at the other end.’ That was a safe bet .
Idiom: sleight of hand (used idiomatically: yes)
While those selected for the divisionals will not be available for these matches in future , the County Championship , according to Sandy Saunders , the Rugby Football Union 's president , plays an important part in the calendar . Here , Leicestershire scored first , with a penalty from Paul Pugh , but North Midlands took most of the positive steps before reaching the break with a lead of 16 - 3 . Initially , there was a close range try from Tony Keegan and then a superb handling move involving sleight of hand from Martin Smith — an Old Edwardian who bears a striking resemblance to the Leicester maestro , Les Cusworth -resulted in Rupert Moon plunging over . Then , just after the half hour , another sweeping exchange resulted in a try for David Curwen and John Watkins — enjoying a late call for this game -landed two conversions . When Pugh closed the gap with his second penalty , the North Midlands ' response soon followed with another try from Moon .
Idiom: in broad daylight (used idiomatically: yes)
Anyone who would like to contribute to the Gary Hutchinson Memorial Appeal should contact Mrs Hutchinson at 64 Frederick Street North , Meadowfield , County Durham . DH7 8ND , or by telephone on 091–378 0995 . POLICE are hunting two youths who snatched a handbag from a woman walking alone in broad daylight . The 31-year - old was attacked in a railway underpass from Station Road to Bridge Street , in Middlesbrough . The youths ran off towards the town centre with the bag which contained about £ 80 .
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: yes)
•Ideally , stick to three pieces of fruit a day . •It 's fine to eat fruit for breakfast , between meals and before a main meal but not during it as it can upset the digestion rate of the other foods you 're eating . •Raw fruit is better than cooked as a rule . It 's more digestible and no vitamins or minerals have been lost before you eat it . •Mix soda or mineral water with fruit juices for a more refreshing drink — and get twice the amount for your calories .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
Thomas kept trying to persuade him it was safe . To demonstrate the fact , he put his hand through the window himself . That did the trick —‘Of course,’ recalls the director , ‘ I did n't show him that I had cut my hand in the process.’ If there were no problems with pain involved , Ken would happily do whatever he was asked . But he would n't want to be expected to do anything while he spoke .
Idiom: on the rebound (used idiomatically: yes)
That was where a lot of the hurt lay . It was painful enough knowing they had both let their love for each other slip so easily away , but the speed with which he 'd filled the void she 'd left really cut into her . Love on the rebound ? She supposed some men were prone to it , but surely not Fernando ? She felt him lie down beside her .
Idiom: go the whole hog (used idiomatically: yes)
Is this the beginning of a mated pair ? I want to upgrade to a much larger reef tank in the near future , but first should I gain much - needed experience in keeping invertebrates before committing myself to the expense of failure with a large tank ? If I were you I 'd go the whole hog and set up a large invertebrate aquarium . It will be much more stable and you are likely to have a greater degree of success . Find a good dealer and be guided by their expertise .
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
Initially , “ globalization ” was a dirty word to some . But , even among its opponents , its value for poorer countries came to be recognized , as it helped to lift more than a billion people in Asia out of abject poverty . While much more needs to be done for Africa and parts of Latin ~ America , the Doha Round was intended to assist in providing market access ( and therefore opportunity ) to many more in the developing world . The essence of the multilateral system consists in two principles : non - discrimination and national treatment . The former is described in the trade negotiators ’ lexicon as the “ most favored nation ” principle , which essentially seeks to ensure that trade benefits provided to one country are provided to all .
Idiom: face the music (used idiomatically: no)
I was puzzled about what had been going on but was pleased that Dad , at any rate , was in a good mood . ‘ Come on Katie,’ he said . ‘ Let 's face the music.’ Before we 'd set foot over the doorstep Mum had started . ‘ What yer think about ' er round the back ?
Idiom: put up or shut up (used idiomatically: yes)
Campaigner : Father James Morrow at the former 18th century Catholic chapel in Braemar which has become the base for his national campaign As at the last general election , and under the UK system of government , Labour , with 39 per cent of the vote , has 68 per cent of the Scottish parliamentary seats , whereas the SNP , with 21.5 per cent of the vote , has 4 per cent of the seats . As we do n't have PR this clearly gives Labour the mandate ‘ to put up or shut up’ , to quote Gerry Hassan ( Points of View , 9 February ) . John Smith , who has aspirations to be prime minister of the UK , has stated that the Tories have no mandate in Scotland to privatise water . On the basis of this argument , however , were Labour to win the next election on the numerical strength of MPs returned from Scotland , he would then have to agree that Labour have no mandate in England !
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
You can see that , if long chains of causes like this existed , the fundamental truism would still hold . Replicators that happen to have what it takes to get replicated would come to predominate in the world , no matter how long and indirect the chain of causal links by which they influence their probability of being replicated . And , by the same token , the world will come to be filled with the links in this causal chain . We shall see those links , and marvel at them . In modern organisms we see them all the time .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: yes)
Very much on the alert , we followed him into thick bush . Luckily he had no ammunition for the rifle and gave himself up after Omar , who had caught up with us , put two more shots over his head . We tied his arms behind his back and handed him over to the next village headman we encountered . A few days later we passed the desiccated corpse of another brigand hanging on a gibbet beside the track . Hyenas had torn off his legs .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
All your flash cards ? Good morning yeah . Good morning ladies and gentlemen pshoow and they , they went all over the place . So I had to pick them back up mm sorry . Bit of nerves .
Idiom: put the boot in (used idiomatically: yes)
Catcalls and guffaws from the spectators , battle - cries from the combatants and a clashing of dustbin lids together with the strains of ‘ Any Old Iron’ and ‘ Viva España’ . Then when it was realized that things had taken a turn for the worse and somebody was going to get killed the vicar stepped in and bought them all ice - creams . Girls gathered round the Watling Street Guard demanding their torn mini - skirts back and a little posse of skinheads formed in front of the Brits shouting : ‘ Give 'em a knuckle samwidge , mate,’‘Yeah , put the boot in’ . I felt a migraine coming on and made my way to the villa for some peace and quiet . I kept waving to Mike but he took no notice , and if I hang about here Otley will only ask me to fetch him a slice of ox and then I shall be sick .
Idiom: larger than life (used idiomatically: no)
Whilst this is possible , it would be odd ; the plaster relief frescoes , such as the one at Knossos depicting a temple attendant leading a large beast , show that the Minoans were interested in large - scale modelled representations of people , bulls and mythological animals . The Minoans had the skill to make life - sized statues in stone or wood — or even ivory — if they chose : the elaborately carved stone vases and fragments of high quality frieze work in carved stone show this very clearly . The Minoans also had diplomatic and trading contacts with Egypt , where stone carvers were making representational bas - reliefs and larger - than - life - sized statues . Both the models and the technical skills were available , so it would be strange if no large statues were attempted . It is possible that some were made but later destroyed or stolen .
Idiom: night and day (used idiomatically: no)
They can be It 's no comparison with day work . Okay . Just to t to come back to what prompted you to to give us that interesting er little evaluation of the the differences that night and day work have men night and days to get get back to the beginning , to get back to your father ?
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
We shall not ask the committee to raise it , but with or without its help , and its help of course will be welcome , we shall find roughly in its neighbourhood either one new group to commit itself to raise £ 1,000 ( or two new groups to raise £ 500 each ) . In some cases we may have no difficulty in finding several groups , but in every case we shall find one ( or two ) . The most obvious sort of ‘ group’ will be a local congregation ( remember the urgent need to move back into the churches and be owned by them where we are not ) but it could be a Youth Group , a VIth form , a sports team , a WDM Group , an organisation or club — all manner of groups come to mind . Each group will be given : 1 .