Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: not a pretty sight (used idiomatically: yes)
He is not articulate and he can hardly write . His opinions are none too savoury ( still less kosher ) . He is not a pretty sight . From the gauzy film of ginger hair which covers his scalp but fails to conceal it , to his gleaming Doc Martens , Harry is designed to make anyone who has even the smallest stake in the present scheme of things cross to the other side of the street . He is the social worker 's nightmare .
Idiom: go from strength to strength (used idiomatically: yes)
With Bath to play their last match at home , it looks as if the title will once again belong to the West Country , even if Orrell were to win their last two games , as Bath 's points difference is much the greater . Northampton 's return to challenging for top honours was brought about by a complete overhaul of the club 's structure both on and off the field . From that moment they have gone from strength to strength and last year reached the final of the Pilkington Cup only to lose in extra time . In another inspired move this season they have added a new coach in Glen Ross , from New Zealand . Having coached Waikato in the New Zealand provincial championship for some years , Ross was looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to come to Northampton came at exactly the right moment .
Idiom: make a move (used idiomatically: yes)
I encapsulated the whole scene , the dingy cubicle with its plywood partitions ; the warped lino , as undulant as the earthen floor of a barn ; Gyggle 's hideous cheesecloth shirt , the buttons pulled apart to the sternum , revealing still more tight ginger curlicues . I took in both the general : lunar dust motes caught in the sidereal glare of neon light , and the particular : the smear of cobweb on an inch of mushroom flex that protruded from the ceiling above . When the eidetic image of the room was fully and accurately frozen inside of me , I made my move , or tried to make my move , because nothing happened . I was somehow reversing that pivotal moment in my eidetic career eight years before , when Mr Broadhurst had bade me look in his waistcoat pocket and then made his move . Now it was I who could n't move ; more than that I was n't even able to form an idea of what it would be like to move .
Idiom: all along (used idiomatically: yes)
They 're telling me to go on the stage and act , but I ca n't do it , it 's the one thing Mum and Dad are dead set against.’ funny , that . I just said it as if I 'd known it all along . I did — I wanted to act . I WANT TO ACT !
Idiom: tip the scales (used idiomatically: yes)
More DOS programs are becoming graphically orientated , as speed limitations are eroded with faster hardware and mouse support becomes commonplace . If Dos survives after Windows NT matures , there will be little difference between DOS and Windows products in terms of their operation , look and feel . The benefits of an intuitive , multi - media , multi - tasking operating system will be what tips the scales — not whether the applications themselves are prettier or faster . LOTUS 1 - 2 - 3 VERSION 3.4 Lotus drew some flack with its Windows version of what had long been the world 's number one spreadsheet .
Idiom: spend a penny (used idiomatically: no)
This was definitely headache material over breakfast the next day . Not many of the gentlemen present were romantic enough to buy their ladies a rose . After much ‘ mickey - taking’ , I informed every lady that I only bought one in order to get some change for Sue to go to the toilet ( 25p a time — whatever happened to the expression ‘ spending a penny’ ) . Coach home ; too late for a swim . Just time for a few hours sleep before the early morning call in the biggest beds you have ever seen .
Idiom: get lost (used idiomatically: yes)
Actually I find it easier to put in the mortgage details which is page li er pa line three and any outstanding bills and loans and then basically find out from the person how much they need on top of that Yeah . when you 've taken into account life cover , existing life cover and the preserved benefits you can then calculate the balance , and I think that 's where you got lost was n't it ? Yes I mean I was very conscious that out of those , the top boxes we , I had n't got the information Yeah .
Idiom: to die for (used idiomatically: yes)
And whilst some villagers are a little cautious about one of the wettest months for some time . Some of them can revel in the return of their long lost river . An Oxford University academic whose wife has been imprisoned by the Government in Burma says she 's started a hunger strike — and is ready to die for her political convictions . Ow San Sue Chee , who 's the leader of the Burmese Democratic Party , was a student at Oxford in the sixties . Her old tutor is horrified , but her husband says he supports the hunger strike -- even if it claims her life .
Idiom: keep a low profile (used idiomatically: yes)
Just —’ he hesitated for a moment and Herr Nordern leaned forward eagerly . ‘ Just what?’ ‘ Just keep a low profile,’ Bodo said , as he started the engine and roared away . Herr Nordern went up the stairs , into a dark flat and a discontented bedroom . ‘ Where have you been?’
Idiom: ten a penny (used idiomatically: no)
Although a slave could earn ' manumission ' , freedom or gebur status , or be granted it , the slaves remained a substantial if decreasing population of South Saxon society . How each thegn organised his estates must have varied considerably , but a typical gebur should have had , according to the Rectitudines , seven acres , two oxen , one cow , six sheep and his tools provided by the lord . For this he paid ten pence a year at Michaelmas and performed a number of other duties on the lord 's land and paid tithes to the church . Both his economic independence and his essential servitude were thus , at the same time , guaranteed . With such a carefully structured order , village life and farming in good times could be free from drought and civil disturbance , be secure and highly profitable , particularly for the thegn .
Idiom: night and day (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ The onset of Theodosia , more like!’ uttered Lady Merchiston , quizzing her . ‘ I declare to you , Spilsby , I was never so browbeaten ! The girl is at me night and day . If she is not shovelling food down my throat , or forcing your noxious potions upon me , she is —’ ‘ Opening the windows and changing the bedclothes,’ put in Theda calmly .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
In his left hand he held a pocket Philips dictaphone into which he would occasionally confide ; in his right , a pencil poised over a reporter 's pad . He was the Roving Correspondent ( politics ) of the True Brit , an appointment that carried a salary of £ 75,000 a year , plus expenses . He had already interviewed Norman Tebbit about his exclusion from the afternoon 's debate on Europe — '' Diabolical liberty ' , says Norman , in conference outrage ' — and tried unsuccessfully to have a word with Sir Charles Webb - Bowen . ' Sir Charles has his feet up , ' he had been told . That was enough politics for one edition ; he would now revert to being its ' roving ' correspondent .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
This leaflet may help you judge . WHAT IS 1992 ALL ABOUT ? Completing the internal or single European market and 1992 are one and the same thing . The basic aims were already set out in the original Treaty of Rome ( 1957 ) establishing the European Economic Community . But two more recent developments accelerated the process and brought things to where they stand today .
Idiom: wide of the mark (used idiomatically: yes)
WHILE The Stones appealed to the students , and the Beatles to the girls and their mums , The Who were always the lads ' band . As representatives of the ranks of the great unfashionable made their way to their seats weighed down by crates of lager , it was clear , at the band 's first British appearance for seven years , that paunches may come and full heads of hair may go , but times do n't change . The first thing the lads noted when the stage lights came up was that the previewers ' obituaries for Pete Townshend are about as wide of the mark as a Birmingham City attack . Dressed in beard and pigtails , black Armani suit and spanking new blue jogging shoes , Pete looked mean , lean and young by book editing standards . His tinnitus did not , as we had been led to believe , oblige him to spend the concert inside a perspex box ; he leapt across the stage , knees at 90-degree angles , for much of its three hour span .
Idiom: bear in mind (used idiomatically: yes)
More than 30 organic farmers have offered to have their plots surveyed . Two handbooks on tree growing were published yesterday , one by the Forestry Authority and one by the Scottish Crofters ' Union . The authority 's book deals with the principles and practice of growing quality broadleaved timber , bearing in mind landscape design , amenity , value to wildlife and conservation . Broadleaves account for 36 per cent of British woodland , although only for 18 per cent in Scotland , with oak , beech , ash , sycamore and birch the main species . Publication of the Crofting Forestry Handbook follows last year 's Crofter Forestry ( Scotland ) Act , which gave them the chance to plant trees on common grazings .
Idiom: face to face (used idiomatically: yes)
Much of this fervour , as Furlong suggests ( 1973 ) , occurred because of social confusion about this new activity . There was no existing model to use as a comparison of events and so the moral majority focused on clearly visible symbols such as disordered hair , clothing , and lifestyle , to articulate their fear of the ‘ alternative society’ and its drug fiends . One result of this moral panic was that , even as the anxiety mentioned by Furlong ( ibid . ) forced us to react to these public demands with some arrests , we insiders with ‘ special knowledge’ , who were working face to face with the counter - culture , knew there was a different social reality abroad which we could never adequately explain to the entrepreneur or encapsulate for the media headline . In effect this was a time when new worlds and new social structures were being forged ; and in many ways we were closer to the world of the underground than that of the moral majority , for we were walking the same ground and like many in the alternative society were ( somewhat unsystematically ) following an essential and perennial theme of history — that of man 's journey as ‘ hero’ . In this search for a new spiritual awareness , they — like us — were finding new possibilities to achieve a revived sense of what it is to be truly human in the transformational experience .
Idiom: hear things (used idiomatically: no)
Mr. Speaker whether ' jerk'is an entirely parliamentary expression . I have heard worse things here . Perhaps the right hon . Gentleman will refine his reference to the hon . Gentleman . Mr. Kinnock
Idiom: by and large (used idiomatically: yes)
The basis of the method is a three - step process of ascertaining the relationships between:(a ) visitor rates and distance;(b ) visitor rates and cost ; and ( c ) number of visits to the site and an assumed set of admission charges . Although the Clawson method has been widely used and adapted ( Everett , 1979 ) , and other monetary or cost - benefit approaches have been tried , for example , regression analysis and consumer interviews of willingness to pay ( Curry , 1980 ) , the method still has a number of underlying weaknesses . For example , it assumes an entrance fee for resources that are by and large free , and it ignores not only the intervening opportunity of other sites but also personal preference , which is likely to be a key variable in a basically non - economically motivated activity . Personal preference has been examined in a number of statistical ways . For example , Everett ( 1978 ) used multiple regression analysis to analyse 2,816 questionnaires concerning people 's wildlife preferences , and found that these were positively related to the number of colours and brightness of different species .
Idiom: watch this space (used idiomatically: yes)
Towers next month to do battle with Miss ( that 's a laugh , she 's a proper little Madam ! ) Whiplash . Watch this space ! And I remember the days when readers had a bit more respect for us hard - working mortals ! And Polos are for girlie 's — so such on that !
Idiom: call it a day (used idiomatically: yes)
England have Steve Richardson and David Gilford , two of their triumphant Dunhill Cup team , while Scotland , with Colin Montgomerie and Gordon Brand Jnr , are also well fancied . Welsh hopes rest with Ian Woosnam and Mark Mouland . Castle calls it a day DEFENDING champion Andrew Castle yesterday reached the third round of the Volkswagen National Championships in Telford — then announced he is quitting full - time tennis . Castle confirmed his retirement after demolishing Norfolk 's Ulli Nganga 6–0 , 6–2 in just 52 minutes .
Idiom: have kittens (used idiomatically: yes)
. cats and dogs being in the country there , were always about , the cat starts to go out just the same as the dogs did , they did n't and they did n't , even when we inherited that old , old tom cat in Sussex , he stayed with us and he , he mangy old thing was n't he , in one of the stables never accursed to me to . This cat had kittens which one of the cats she looked after them , I think my mother changed the lining Oh yeah . in the box where the kittens were
Idiom: on the game (used idiomatically: yes)
Towards the end of the last century the gaol became a lock - up and a police station , gradually falling into disrepair . It 's since been a cafe , a grill and a bric - a - brac shop , with plans now to turn it into a museum and heritage centre ; something Browne Willis would doubtless have approved of . Cricket now … the amateur players of the Minor Counties have been taking on the game 's elite in the first round of the Nat West Trophy . Oxfordshire , who have n't won a game in the history of the competition , faced the might of Lancashire , who 've won the trophy five times . Mark Kiff reports .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
According to a study commissioned by the owners , the profits of major - league clubs have fallen by 54 % since 1989 . In 1991 they made an operating profit of $ 17 m on revenues of $ 1.54 billion . Last year they collectively broke even but 18 out of the then 26 teams in the major leagues reported losses . For this year , the owners are projecting a collective loss . Next year , they say , the loss could be anywhere between horrible and horrendous , depending on the outcome of negotiations for a new national television contract to replace the one that expires after the end of this season .
Idiom: jump to conclusions (used idiomatically: yes)
The rule which imposes liability for unintentional defamation has had absurd results . The House of Lords has solemnly decided that " ordinary readers " do not read very carefully — at least when they are skimming through " The Sun " . They might jump to a conclusion from certain comments in that newspaper , and ignore others which point away from the plaintiff in question . The height of absurdity was reached in a case where the wife of a race - horse owner pictured with a woman he had described to the photographer as his fiancee , was allowed to recover damages on the basis that her neighbours would think she was living in sin . Equally unsatisfactory is the decision that Harold Newstead , a bachelor hairdresser living in Camberwell , was libelled by a perfectly accurate court report that another Harold Newstead , also a Camberwell resident , had been gaoled for bigamy ( " I kept them both till the police interfered " ) .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
He unwound his Uzi , readying it one - handed as he used the other to support himself as he rounded the corner . He could still make out the huge man - shape , lying face down , its outline glowing from the residual embers of the phosphorus , like a blackened , smoking tree trunk . He pointed the Uzi , pulled the trigger , Forster 's words coming to mind : ‘ Watch out for this one , John . It 's not natural’ . The Uzi jerked in his hands .
Idiom: by hook or by crook (used idiomatically: yes)
He must prevaricate a little . ‘ I think perhaps Mr Beckenham is anxious to protect his own interests , rather than yours.’ ‘ Because he means to come by this house by hook or by crook?’ She sighed wearily . ‘ You have it wrong , but no matter .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
In recent years there has been a great increase in the use of active compounds . This timely book will be particularly help to those researchers who , while lacking detailed knowledge of organofluorine chemistry , may be contemplating preparing fluoro analogues of some of their compounds . They will be assisted by the book 's division into chapters each dealing with a particular class of compound —eg amino acids , sugars , steroids etc . Typically , each chapter gives a brief introduction followed by preparative methods , arranged according to reagent used or building block employed , and concludes with a short section on biological activity . The text rests mainly on specific cited examples , drawn from the literature up to 1987 , but the authors comment on both the scope and the likely mechanism of the various transformations .
Idiom: claim to fame (used idiomatically: yes)
Either that or a one - hit wonder , an eventuality the Crocs are clearly banking on . But they promise solemnly to retire forever if it ever happens , so you can enjoy their sharp and amusing little ditties in the secure knowledge that you 're not creating a Barron Knights for the ' 90s . Laughable in an altogether more tragic sense are No Man , who now have the dubious claim to fame of featuring three ex - members of Japan ( Steve Jansen , Richard Barbieri and Mick Kam ) in their backing band , though to the uninitiated they come across as three craggy muso casualties looking more than ready for the knacker 's yard . Most comical is Mick Kam , whose eyebrows , once shaved off in an unfortunate moment of artistic folly , are now growing outwards in the style of a neanderthal Denis Healey . The whole band is dressed in black ( cue Twilight Zone theme music ) in front of a painfully pretentious backdrop featuring a 20-foot high sheet of Letraset ( ! ) with a set list reading like a top ten of pomp - rock buzzwords ( eg ‘ Ocean Song’ , ‘ Painted Paradise’ ) .
Idiom: party animal (used idiomatically: yes)
The border guard was not amused and demanded to know why there was a photo of a panda pasted over Simon 's picture . He nearly did n't get into the country for the final GP!’ Even with party animals like Birchall around , there are moments of true relaxation — even between the men battling for the world title . ‘ Racing is almost a taboo subject if we 're having a barbecue or something,’ explains Webster who managed to share a pit with Michel all through their 1990 title battle . ‘ We all get on so well , it 's nice to just talk about the ‘ normal’ things that people do .
Idiom: open someone's eyes (used idiomatically: yes)
He squatted down in the straw looking at the foal , and the foal looked back at him , indignant , bright - eyed , quivering with life . Life ! He had seen it happen , like a click of the fingers , the start of life , when the foal opened its eyes and looked at him . It was almost too much to take in , how it had happened so quickly , so unexpectedly . Nails was laughing and shivering at the same time , so excited that he felt almost ill with it .
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: yes)
It crossed the face of the house at a level ten or fifteen metres below the supports for the legs on which the floor was braced . Alexei glanced idly down , and he saw that a company of troopers of the guard — C'zaki by their dress , under the command of a Yek officer — were marching up from the direction of the gate , picking up the sentries who had completed their tour of duty , dropping off the night watch . The column passed out of sight below his feet . ‘ Who am I?’ The abruptness of the question brought Alexei 's head round sharply .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
' There is a reason . ' The priest looked up from his book , and stood silent . Mr Rochester said in his deep voice , without turning his head , ' Continue with the ceremony . ' Silence fell again . Then the priest shook his head .
Idiom: up the river (used idiomatically: no)
Gentlemen , the sergeant at arms ! Thank you Mr President ! Next week we 're going up the river ! Thank you gentlemen ! I 'll now close the meeting with the final toast will you please join me ?
Idiom: on the double (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ And you lot!’ He bawled up the corridor . ‘ Here on the double!’ The gun left Rex 's ear , nuzzled into his chest and pushed him back into the studio . ‘ Nice jacket.’
Idiom: at a stretch (used idiomatically: yes)
Netting is particularly prone to such earthing , and the bottom horizontal ( which is not electrified ) is frequently bitten through by rabbits or badgers , making gaps for lambs to squeeze through . I have known a sow that enjoyed the sensation of a pulsating electric shock and a cow that learned to uproot a mesh fence with her horns . Dry batteries for fencer units are outrageously expensive , so I have resorted to an old tractor battery , trickle - charged by a windmill made from a bicycle wheel with its dynamo hub : it cost nothing and worked without trouble for a year at a stretch . However carefully you maintain and repair it , electric fencing deteriorates , and , apart from the electric pulse units , must be replaced every six or seven years . Suiting enterprise to holding
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
' I love the Swedish sense of colour , ' she says . ' They use lovely clear colours and mix them with wood . ' Her kitchen is a wonderful example of this — a pine kitchen on a timber floor , with the living area decorated in poppy red , emerald and white . Patchwork quilts , shawls and laces are everywhere . ' I like things to look very natural — nothing too studied , ' says Pauline .
Idiom: leave no stone unturned (used idiomatically: yes)
In practice this investigation would normally take place before an offer was made and certainly before exchange of contracts . Following legal completion many aspects of the exercise would be repeated at the detailed design stage or when finalising sale prices . Most companies will adopt a positive approach to site investigations and use standard forms or check - lists to ensure that no stone is left unturned in investigating every aspect of the site . In view of the substantial sums of money involved , risks must be reduced to the absolute minimum . Each aspect of this investigation will now be considered in detail .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Often.’ ‘ He 's only joking , Luigi,’ said the smaller of the two girls , a red - head . She leaned across to pat his hand and her foam petticoat burst out of its confines under the table . ‘ We always come here.’ ‘ I know this , I know this,’ muttered Luigi , bustling away .
Idiom: green light (used idiomatically: yes)
Although hurriedly completed for the presentation , it was felt that it embodies the Jaguar spirit better than any of the others . There was similar enthusiasm for the Coventry concept at styling clinics in the UK and the US . The green light for the X100 brings to an end nine months of heart searching at Browns Lane while Ford invited its own design offices to submit plans for a new Jaguar sports car . At one stage , chief designer Geoff Lawson felt his job was so much at risk that he began looking at houses in the Essex area and making arrangements to move his family . It is understood Ford and Jaguar managers soundly backed the efforts of Lawson and Helfet to preserve the traditional Jaguar look in the original design .