Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: over the hill (used idiomatically: yes)
Yes , up that yes . Did you ever hear them talk about them smuggling the whisky through the glen ? Yes , they did that so my That old great grandfathers of mine they went fr from here to Arbroath with theirs over the hill . Is that so ? Three or four of them , aha , with their ponies they would leave in the night and go over the hill .
Idiom: catch fire (used idiomatically: yes)
FIREMEN found the body of a 13-year - old girl in a burned - out hay barn yesterday . The girl , Jamie Auld , and 13 other children , aged between 10 and 13 , built a den in 60 tons of hay in the barn and lit a candle as it got dark . The other children fled in terror as the hay caught fire when the candle tipped over . One of the friends , Manuel Cabrera , said he tried to grab Jamie but the intense heat drove him out . Fifty firemen searched for her body in the barn at White Waltham , Berks all night as her distraught mother Sue waited outside .
Idiom: move mountains (used idiomatically: yes)
It had brought them together and would drive them apart . But she could have made the whole of his life an adventure , so that he never need feel lonely again . She could have done it , she knew she could , because she loved him , and love could move mountains . But the mountain had to be willing to be moved , which turned her thoughts to ashes in her mouth . ‘ Dreams are for children , Travis,’ she said flatly , eyes on the flames in the hearth .
Idiom: at a loose end (used idiomatically: yes)
It stops me concentrating on breathing properly and makes me feel as if I 've lost control of the situation . 10.45 a.m. Tim tries massaging my lower back during the contraction and it feels great — he wo n't be at a loose end from now on ! 11.00 a.m. Message from my mother - in - law .
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: no)
In the early ' 60s , all of the pop press welcomed with open arms the rather curious emergence of a ‘ trad jazz’ revival . Curious in that with the bulk of the country 's youth taking their cultural signposts from America and the more visceral thrills offered by rock'n'roll , it seems strange that such a dated and wrinkly musical form should enjoy such an upsurge in fortunes , particularly when it faced competition from sexier young pups operating in the rock idiom such as Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard . As veteran commentator George Melly remarked : ‘ The trad boom was both unexpected and untypical ; its heroes were far older than the norm and had been around for much longer ; the emphasis was instrumental rather than vocal ; the sexual aspect was almost non - existent.’ The standard bearers of this non - existent sexuality were ageing musos such as Chris Barber ( whose ‘ Petit Fleur’ from April ' 59 is credited with instigating the ‘ trad’boom ) and Acker Bilk , playing inconsequential variants on ditties like ‘ The Saints Go Marching In’that had had their day in turn of the century Lousians . With hindsight , it 's easy to see that the kids had been the victim of a conspiracy .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
wo n't put themselves out for the firm and it 's , it 's you know Yeah . He ca n't see that does n't help in the long run if , Yeah , mind you his , his short er term policies so it does n't matter in the long run . Right .
Idiom: go by the board (used idiomatically: yes)
The bustle enhances the impression of good business . All this has a snowball effect on the day 's turnover and on the individual dealers ' commissions . Moral standards go by the board in an atmosphere that seems generated purely for the above purposes . Dealing through licensed dealers can cost less than through stockbrokers , but usually costs more . Furthermore , your money is at risk , particularly when there is a thin market in shares , or where your shares are held under a nominee name for the convenience of your licensed dealer .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
We had stalked around the woods practising booby traps and trip devices , using thin wire and nails , and were getting good at setting nasty ambushes . Mike was adept at all this , and Gibeau , recognising a fellow enthusiast , had made him show us some of the techniques he had learnt in Rhodesia . We smeared mud ( to simulate human excrement , which would infect wounds ) on sharpened wooden stakes which we buried in holes in the path covered up with leaves and brush , and Gibeau showed us how to make a mine out of a spring , some ball bearings and a walnut - sized lump of plastic explosive . The point of this device was to spring the metal balls to stomach height only , so that they would tear through any human bodies within thirty feet . We ran up to the firing range one morning to try out our destructive techniques for real .
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: yes)
Stories such as these are more regular in the USA where , according to Nathan Hare , black boxers begin with visions of wealth and glamour but complete their careers ' dissatisfied now with their present lot ' . He gives the example of Johnny Saxon who , three years after winning the world welterweight title , was charged with burglary and eventually institutionalized at New Jersey State Mental Hospital : ' Boxing does not leave all its scars on a fighter 's face'(1973 , p.325 ) . Such scars were left on Jackson and Turpin , but it would be facile to accept these as rules rather than exceptions . And , in any case , it is ridiculous to condemn boxing itself for attracting black aspirants when the reasons for their involvements are rooted in historical and social processes . It is not so curious then that blacks have manifested a predilection for sport and have achieved high orders of success in their chosen disciplines .
Idiom: second nature (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ He knows our results recently have n't been bad . If we win or draw on Wednesday it will make the Republic 's position a bit unsteady.’ All this kidolgy comes second nature to two men immersed in football all their lives . But now Bingham is nearing the end of his remarkably successful time as Northern Ireland 's manager . Just how near is the end ?
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
My brief was to work for 8 to 14-year - olds , the group examined in the report , not younger children where there are different problems in conveying drama . ' The limits Doctor Who would go in presenting ' real life drama ' Verity Lambert worked out with David Whitaker once the two began collaborating on story content . An early rule - of - thumb was to avoid any extremes of emotional behaviour . Extemporised hate would not be covered , nor would the tragedy of loss . At the other end of the scale , romantic interest would only exist at a very superficial level , and certainly there would be no question of relationships forming between the TARDIS incumbents .
Idiom: down at heel (used idiomatically: yes)
THE CHILD 'S BRAIN King Kong plunging to his death from a great height and the real death of a bird in the sky , events dramatic enough for the whirring imagination of a seven year old to cope with . ln the early 1930s part of my childhood was spent at Redcar on Teesside , then as now a down at heel seaside resort surrounded by steel works and wind swept dunes . Yet I hold the town close to my heart , for it is the birthplace of many a dream and memory : it is winter , it was always winter and cold , I am alone on the beach building a secret world , a sand landscape of hills , mountains , ravines with bridges , towns and harbours . Of a sudden a gull which has died on the wing crashes to the sand at my feet , its feathers brushing my forehead as it falls .
Idiom: call the tune (used idiomatically: yes)
The EDITOR says Some readers of Practical Fishkeeping probably believe that we are tightly in league with the manufacturers and retailers who advertise in this magazine . They may even believe that he who pays the piper calls the tune , and that PFK editorial is slanted towards one or another manufacturer . The fact is that the editorial staff of PFK are only concerned with one person — you the reader . Our product guides , for instance , are intended mainly to inform the reader about the range of products on the market .
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
He arrived in London some months later with letters of introduction to both actors and physicians . He was soon joined by his brother and the two of them set up a practice in the Army and Navy Mansions on Victoria Street . As in Australia , they were soon working flat out with people coming to them from all walks of life . Many of the leading actors of that day came to him and some of them , such as Sir Henry Irving , used to have his professional help between acts of their plays . Between 1906 and 1908 Alexander published pamphlets and articles , both privately and in the press , and in 1910 his first book , entitled Man 's Supreme Inheritance , was published .
Idiom: round the bend (used idiomatically: yes)
He 'll get over it by the morning.’ She wondered if Geoffrey had complained about not getting a bigger part . The door of Meredith 's office slammed shut and he and John Harbour appeared round the bend of the passage . She was going to call out to them , but something in Meredith 's face stopped her , and the next instant he had swept down the stairs with his arm about John Harbour 's shoulders and was gone . The dress rehearsal of Caesar and Cleopatra lasted nine hours .
Idiom: kick up your heels (used idiomatically: yes)
I should n't have said I 'd come up here with you in the first place . It was silly.’ ‘ Does you good to kick up your heels now and then and say ‘ to hell with everything!’ Anyway , I 'd have been put out if my infallible charm had proved fallible after all!’ ‘ You do n't take anything seriously!’
Idiom: take it easy (used idiomatically: yes)
Ow ! ' He landed awkwardly and twisted his ankle . ' Take it easy , there 's still time for that . ' Furness extended a hand to help him up and they walked down the track together . ' That 's better , ' his grandmother approved when Richard returned , still pink - cheeked and with the afterglow of joy in his eyes .
Idiom: young blood (used idiomatically: yes)
Now Jean was pleased because I do sequence dancing which I learnt with my husband , and so now this coming September when we start back again , once a month I 'm going to teach some sequence dancing in the hope that some young ones would , will hear of it and , and join because then once you can sort of get them involved with one thing you may sort of get good numbers . But I think this is the kind of thing that we really need . We , we need the younger blood because you , you talk and say well how are you and oh my leg 's bad , my leg 's been dreadful this week and you ca n't very well ask these people to go campaigning on the streets , can you ? And comes electioneer election time as regards political er then you see the , the la the Labour Party would like you to help them because we are Co - operative Labour . I have stood twice as co - operative Labour candidate and did n't win either time , er much to my husband 's disgust , because I , but you see at the time er Labour was very , very low but erm the local people , you can tell by your boxes , was very loyal to me .
Idiom: on and off (used idiomatically: yes)
but when I kept ringing , you know , because they generally call here Mm . they did n't come and I thought , I tell ya I kept ringing right up till ten to four on and off I do n't know where they are because Unless he 's got ta job
Idiom: beg the question (used idiomatically: yes)
As Bismarck said , ' I have always found the word ' Europe ' on the lips of those who wanted something from other powers which they dared not demand in their own name ' . Genscher has straightforwardly said that a strong Germany is good for Europe . This begs many questions . Germany 's economic strength derives from the fact that she saturates the EC and Eastern Europe with her exports . If , as seems likely , she consolidates this position via the single market , while gaining de facto control of the single currency , one could well envisage a scenario in which a strong Germany was bad for Europe .
Idiom: on and off (used idiomatically: yes)
Stairs and landing Bearing in mind that the elderly relative would need a stairlift , Judy arranged for the flat to be fitted with a safe Stannah Stairlift that 's equipped with a simple push - button control in the armrest . The stairway was lit by the Lumiance Giotto Major Circo E emergency light which switches on and off as normal but , during a power failure , a battery pack comes into operation . The kitchen Overlooking the back garden , this large room is divided into a kitchen and living area .
Idiom: stand up and be counted (used idiomatically: yes)
I can not for the life of me see why they 're so resistant to it . We 're resistant to it not for any dogmatic reason but we do n't feel that local democracy is necessarily improved by the County Council d d ducking it 's decision . We are the responsible Authority if members , and it 's their decision this morning , believe that they have all the relevant information then they will stand up and be counted . But the local people are clearly very concerned about it . The the the er the joint villages action committee wants a public discussion to take place in a in a public forum with the set rules of a public inquiry .
Idiom: dice with death (used idiomatically: no)
I thought ooh my God you get a fast car round here mate you wo n't Ooh , ooh I forgot ! dicing with death ! About three minutes after nine . I 've saved the pussy .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
The project will cost £ 30 m to build and will take the form of a mall containing specialist shops . The TDC confirmed last night its chief executive Duncan Hall has already had talks with Stockton Borough Council leader Bob Gibson , paving the way for an ' imminent ' announcement . Up for grabs : The former municipal buildings in Church Square , Hartlepool , are to be auctioned off by English Estates in London next month . They are expected to fetch around £ 300,000 .
Idiom: keep a low profile (used idiomatically: yes)
Five Railway Cup medals with Ulster and representing Ireland stand out as the highpoints of Jim Reilly 's marvellous career . Analysing the Ulster championship he said : ‘ If Down beat Derry they will be hard to beat . ‘ They have kept a low profile and they have basically the same squad as won an All Ireland . Donegal would n't fancy meeting Down in an Ulster final.’ Stephen King
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
Well I am Mick because perhaps it 's on card ! They pull them all out Mick ! Ninety , hundred years old .
Idiom: every man for himself (used idiomatically: yes)
So anyway , that Christmas Eve night confirmed my worst fears , it was like a kind of ‘ royal flush’ for the infant Jimbo : all three kings — Pa , Santa and the King of Kings — all down the pan together … And to be honest , I do n't believe any of them stands a chance of ever making a comeback with me . Not that there is anything to lose by keeping the door open , but really I believed it is every man for himself . Which is why I must cover my traces , I thought , then go up and check the state of the relics . Naturally , I hoped for the best as regards the efficacy of my heart - felt prayer , but I had to be practical .
Idiom: get lost (used idiomatically: yes)
She says : ‘ It happened the first evening I arrived there . He started playing with my hair and then he just got worse . ‘ If it had taken place in London or New York I would have simply bawled at him to get lost . But out there , it was unnerving — yet fascinating . I could n't believe it was happening,’ she admits in an interview with The Face .
Idiom: out of the blue (used idiomatically: yes)
I heard no more of the debate and to the astonishment of my fellow delegates I stormed out of the auditorium and locked myself away in the Ladies to howl out my rage , alone . As a result of a chance meeting in a Blackpool bar with a student journalist , I was featured in National Student in an article about disabled students . Suddenly out of the blue I received a tape from one of the members of the self - organizing group , the Liberation Network of People With Disabilities . A few months later someone in my house told me about an article in Time Out about the Liberation Network . A woman 's number was at the bottom of the Time Out piece and it was with some feelings of fear that I decided to ring it , not knowing who or what I would find .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Moving seemed to require the same amount of breath as before , which was to say more than could be easily provided . I could n't always see so far ahead by moonlight and needed to consult the compass more often . It slowed things up to keep slipping it in and out of my jeans pocket so after a while I tucked it up the sleeve of my jersey . That improvement upset the old fifty - yard rhythm but it did n't much matter . I looked at my watch instead and stopped every fifteen minutes for a rest .
Idiom: through thick and thin (used idiomatically: yes)
Then , when I was 14 , my dad bought the house . Suddenly we had four rooms , a plumbed in bath and no poor Irish downstairs . Kensal Green then was an old - fashioned , tight - knit working class community , the kind that had survived through thick and thin since Victoria was on the throne and that nowadays only exists in sociology textbooks and TV soaps . A lot of our family lived in the same road . Both my nan and my uncle Colin , my mum 's brother , lived at number 28 .
Idiom: spill the beans (used idiomatically: yes)
Do we understand one another?’ ‘ Yes , sir.’ ‘ Come on , Manders , spill the beans’ . I wo n't tell them , I wo n't . ‘ Everything alright , though , is it ?
Idiom: round the bend (used idiomatically: yes)
Age is just in the mind . Linford Christie after winning the Olympic Games 100-metres gold medal in Barcelona ANYONE who thinks the economy is turning the corner must be round the bend . TUC General Secretary Norman Willis GEORGE Bush is the most decent , most caring , wisest and , yes , healthiest man I know .
Idiom: lift a finger (used idiomatically: yes)
She glared at Ben Bradshaw , dragged some air into her deprived lungs and marched swiftly down the corridor into her office , shutting the door firmly behind her . Then she let out the breath and sagged against the desk . Dazed , she lifted her fingers and rested them against her lips . They felt — tinglingly alive , soft and warm and swollen , aching for — for what ? For more ?
Idiom: fit the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
Lord Leverhulme has eight thousand acres in Lancashire and another twenty - seven thousand acres in Sutherland . There are a number of counties — Berkshire , Norfolk , Aberdeenshire , and now Gloucestershire — in which , because they contain royal residences , the Queen takes a particularly close personal interest . It is revealing , therefore , to see what sort of people are thought to fit the bill in these places . In Berkshire she chose Colonel Gordon Palmer , an Old Etonian heir to the biscuit empire of Huntley and Palmer . In Norfolk she picked Timothy Colman ; in Aberdeenshire , Captain Colin Farquharson , formerly of the Brigade of Guards and subsequently a land agent ; and in Gloucestershire , Colonel Martin Gibbs , another military Old Etonian .
Idiom: one of those days (used idiomatically: yes)
So there you are , you 're stuck now in this traffic jam , and you know you 're going to be late . They 're waiting for you when you get to work , and you ca n't get on with whatever you want to do , you have interruption after interruption . I 'm never going to get this work done , I 'm never going to get my act together today You know , as , as people say , it 's one of those days . And then you think , right I 'm really going to get settled down to something . I 'll have this cup of coffee and I 'm going to get on with it , and what happens ?
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
This could change though , he added , if UK sales flatten . As for the year ahead , he said he would be very happy to maintain growth at current levels , but reckons this in unlikely as ‘ it is difficult to keep on growing at such high rates’ . But the thrusting company does have lots of new products in the pipeline , he added , to help it on its way . PERSONAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE SALES IN EUROPE PC UP 19 % The Paris - based European end of the Software Publishers Association reports that the European market for personal computer software products grew 19 % by revenue last year , to $ 1,700 m , which was greater than the 14 % increase registered in the US .
Idiom: in bed with (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Yes . No . Actually , he was in bed with very bad ‘ flu’ . I went to a party at my friend 's alone . George was much too ill to leave the house.’
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
One can not find peace in work or in pleasure , in the world or in a convent , but only in one 's soul .
Idiom: scratch the surface (used idiomatically: yes)
More than £ 1 million pounds have been invested in the series . Tom says if this show is successful he would like to do more . There 's so much to do about the roots of music that this series has n't even scratched the surface . He wants to do more programmes as well as record more good songs . He says he wanted to become a professional singer so he would n't have to do a job he did n't like .
Idiom: keep the peace (used idiomatically: yes)
He then fortunately disappeared and I proceeded to put my bet on the horse , which I am happy to say romped home at forty to one . When I encountered Wigg later in the afternoon , I made no mention of this situation and characteristically neither did he . Around the middle of 1969 I had been asked by the Jockey Club whether I would join the board of United Racecourses , for one reason and one reason only : in order to keep the peace between the Jockey Club and Lord Wigg . George Wigg 's encounters with the Jockey Club became quite famous , particularly on one occasion when he had a public slanging - match , using voice - magnifying equipment , with the Duke of Norfolk who , employing similar equipment , exchanged insults with him on a racecourse . George Wigg was a remarkable man but very difficult to keep in check .
Idiom: to the letter (used idiomatically: yes)
It is worth adding that these terms are anyway applicable under normal circumstances , with 35 % advances on the lower estimate of sale proceeds , minimum £ 30,000 , with a minimum advance of £ 85,000 . For Lloyd 's sales however , the minimum is £ 150,000 . Sotheby 's told The Art Newspaper that ' there has been quite a large response to the Lloyd 's letter , but talks are going on with a view to possible changes in this arrangement ' . Bachofen von Echt Indian miniatures triumph LONDON .
Idiom: weather the storm (used idiomatically: yes)
As the smoke cleared , it became apparent that the beneficiaries included Mr Walesa himself . The wily president had showed himself capable of taking action while others were just bickering . Poland 's economy , with more than half its workforce in the private sector , is likely to weather the storm . Foreign investors are largely unworried by the government 's fall . Ms Suchocka has emerged stronger .
Idiom: err on the side of (used idiomatically: yes)
" President Ben ~ Ali is in control of the situation , " some said . Or " President Mubarak has our complete confidence . " The United ~ States managed to get it right , albeit very slowly , whereas many European countries erred on the side of the status quo for a much longer time , if not systematically , as they refused to see that the region could be evolving in a direction contrary to what they deemed to be in their strategic interest . Historical and geographic proximity , together with energy dependency and fear of massive immigration , paralyzed European diplomats . But there is something more fundamental underlying diplomats ' natural diffidence .