Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: few and far between (used idiomatically: yes)
In contrast , the lime - kilns at Brampton and Droitwich were perhaps concerned with the construction of the defences . These two examples can hardly represent the total number which originally existed , although lime may have been produced in small , temporary clamps which have not survived later destruction . Production centres for window glass and glass vessels are , at present , few and far between , beyond the large glasshouse in the civitas capital at Caistor - by - Norwich . Fairly extensive production can be envisaged at Wilderspool , where the good - quality local sand provided an essential ingredient . Elsewhere among small towns , the evidence is restricted to Bath , Ilchester and Mancetter .
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
This may have been the same object as that lent by Gaston I to Clement V. The pope agreed to keep the talisman safely and to excommuni - cate anyone else who attempted to use it . Perhaps the counts of Foix were fulfilling a traditional office for the papacy . Whatever the case , the alliance which they had made with the family of L'Isle jourdain ( closely related to the Duèse clan ) , stood them in good stead with the Avignon papacy until John XXII 's death in 1334 . The tendencies towards territorial and dynastic aggrandisement displayed by the house of Foix - Béarn were echoed by the counts of Armagnac . Géraud V of Armagnac ( 1256–85 ) had married Mathe of Béarn , daughter of Gaston VII and sister to both Constance of Marsan and Margaret of Béarn , and therefore possessed claims through the female line to both Béarn and Bigorre .
Idiom: gather dust (used idiomatically: no)
Whether struck down by the Lord 's retribution or by his failure in Italy or by the neglect of his sponsor the Emperor , the ninth Pope Leo , Bruno de Nordgau , died in April in the city of Rome , far from his beloved Toul and the Vosges of his family . The Alpine snows closed over his militant steps , and the sinners he had excommunicated for one reason or another turned their thoughts from irregular union or simony , if they had ever been on them , and peered into the mists of what promised to be a very long vacancy . In the home of Hildebrand , gathering dust , lay a long , padded box containing a golden rod entwined with roses . The news came to Perth on the day of the King 's special council , and was brought to Thorfinn by Bishop Jon as he prepared to leave with Prior Eochaid for the Moot Hill . Bishop Jon , a warm - hearted man , had been weeping , and even Eochaid , remembering , found himself moved near to tears .
Idiom: horses for courses (used idiomatically: no)
The Parlour Performers give their services free for charity and Bumpstead branch can recommend them highly . Further information can be obtained from John Anstey , 31 Newbury Street , St Bartholomew 's , London EC1A 7HU . Horses for courses The fourth annual Minehead driving festival was held in May and spectators enjoyed the display of horses , drivers and carriages . More than £ 500 was collected during the day and the Minehead Ladies ' guild was one of three charities to benefit from the collection .
Idiom: take the plunge (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Mr. Lampitt would like to talk about them … ’ It was n't just the secretary that was mad but the surgeon as well . I was the only sane one , so although I hated to ask , I took the plunge . ‘ You mean … there 's something on the X - rays ? ! ’ ‘ Mr. Lampitt wants to talk about them.’
Idiom: live wire (used idiomatically: yes)
Oh , I should n't have phoned you ; I might have known you 'd make it seem as if I 'm moaning . Dana has missed a few fittings , but the earth wo n't stop turning and I 'm sure she 'll turn up for the next one.’ Claudia jumped up and put her hand on his , snatching it away as her nerves reacted as if she had touched a live wire . ‘ It will be best if you do n't say anything to Dana . I 'll see her this evening — in fact , I 'll go home now and catch her before you take her out.’
Idiom: make a splash (used idiomatically: no)
They cost about £ 26.99 and £ 58.99 respectively In the Swim MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER WITH ONE OF THESE SUPER POOLS . INDOOR OR OUT , THE CHOICE IS YOURS … Below : Enclosed inside an attractive walled garden , this Buckingham pool blends perfectly with its surroundings .
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
Indeed , while she produced some poems of distinct merit , she , like most labouring poets of her time , has until recently been forgotten . Mary Leapor has , of course , fared somewhat better than Elizabeth Hands . Her presence in anthologies and occasional mention in critical works have sustained a small reputation on the periphery of eighteenth century literature . In this chapter , Leapor 's work will be considered against the background of her economic circumstances as a kitchen maid and the daughter of an agricultural craftsman . It will be argued that Leapor 's work contributes to a fairly broad movement among labouring class poets to provide an accurate account of work and social conditions in their time .
Idiom: on the ropes (used idiomatically: yes)
Reaching into the water they grabbed hold of the boar 's legs , and after several attempts swivelled it over on to its back . While some of the men held the weight of the body in place , others bound the forelegs , and the hind legs , together with rope . Some then leaned on the rope , hauling the boar through the water , while others stayed behind to guide it round rocks and counteract the drag of the current . When they were close enough they threw the ropes up to the men at the front of the crowd , and all of them pushed from behind . With one concerted effort , they heaved the boar out of the water and up on to the bank .
Idiom: game on (used idiomatically: no)
obstruction of the highway by large numbers of animals , or stench from pigs or the crowing of cockerels . Generally there is no liability for the escape of noxious animals on the defendant 's land in the ordinary course of nature , such as rabbits , rats or birds . But if a landowner deliberately collects rabbits or game on his land for any purpose , he is liable for damage by them to neighbouring owners if it is caused by his ‘ extraordinary , non - natural or unreasonable action.’ Again , if a dog - owner deliberately sets his dog on a peaceable citizen he is guilty of assault and battery in the ordinary way just as if he had flung a stone or hit him with a cudgel . So , too , if a man teaches his parrot to slander anyone , that is neither more nor less the ordinary tort of defamation than if he prefers to say it with his own tongue rather than with the parrot 's .
Idiom: take someone for a ride (used idiomatically: no)
Ah yes ! And mum and Chrissy slept in the car . and and th that 's ri they were , they , mum was gon na stay at home and I was gon na take you for a ride on the train Yeah . and then mum decided she was going to come so we took the car .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
Let 's get under the table!’ Lily said ‘ Yes , let 's get under the table!’ So they got under the table , and wriggled around our legs making the dishes rattle , and we did n't stop them because we were busy straining to hear the news
Idiom: go off the boil (used idiomatically: yes)
Thieving needs to be done outside of Deptford — somewhere there are decent things to steal . Gambling and sex take place up west , north of the river , where punters play . Even extortion has gone off the boil . There is n't the money left in Deptford to extort . The Richardson 's ran forays into other parts of London , muddying other people 's water , but it was not appreciated .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
If she mentioned paranoia , Buzz would insist that Elinor was the victim of a lot of quacks . Buzz 's views on psychiatry were well known : psychiatrists were ‘ trick - cyclists’ , not to be taken seriously , people who said that grown men were in love with their mothers : disgusting . Gently Miranda said , ‘ I 'm sure Gran 's in the best place , for the time being . We must n't interfere with her treatment.’ ‘ Treatment!’
Idiom: on the hoof (used idiomatically: yes)
There is real hope , probably futile , that the second hike to 17.5 per cent will somehow be wished away . But more of that later . In the turmoil which followed the Budget , it became impossible for ministers to conceal that , once again , the Government was in a muddle , making policy on the hoof around television and radio studios . Was that the faint trill of the first U - turn of spring ? Was it a panic climb - down ?
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
Recent progress was welcomed towards the establishment of the internal market , notably in the previously excluded sectors of water , energy , transport and telecommunications , in the financial services sector , and on company taxation . The summit called for rapid completion or progress as regards investment services and insurance , intellectual property , takeovers , the liberalization of road transport as called for in a Dutch memorandum , the harmonization of animal and plant health standards , and the adoption by the end of 1990 of new value added tax and excise duty arrangements and of guidelines on trans - European transport networks . Noting that the first stage of economic and monetary union ( EMU ) would come into effect on July 1 , 1990 , the summit decided that the intergovernmental conference to establish the final stages of economic and monetary union would open on Dec. 13 and would conclude its work rapidly with a view to member states ratifying the results by the end of 1992 . The intergovernmental conference on political union , based on the Franco - German initiative put to the extraordinary Dublin summit in April [ see p. 37363 ] , would open on Dec. 14 , with a similar mandate to conclude its work rapidly . An annex to the communiqué , based on a paper prepared by the Irish presidency , stated the objective of political union to be " the transformation of the Community from an entity mainly based on economic integration and political co - operation into a union of a political nature , including a common foreign and security policy " .
Idiom: run riot (used idiomatically: yes)
Everything is open to interpretation , usually by the police , and the poor , hard - pressed licensee and his customers are so confused that the usual solution is to avoid the problem and not let children into the pub at all . While we must support family rooms in those pubs which have the space and can provide suitable amusement for the little angels , this can not remain the only answer to the problem . Family rooms are useful to let the less well - behaved and noisier children run riot but they are frequently cold and characterless and , no matter how good the facilities may be , you often feel excluded from the main atmosphere of the pub . I WOULD rather take my children into the main bar or lounge of a pub and expect them to sit sensibly and reasonably quietly so that we can all relax , drink , talk and eat in a proper pub atmosphere . What is needed is a relaxation of the law as it now stands to allow the controlled admission of children to certain pubs at certain times of day .
Idiom: have a bash (used idiomatically: no)
He said I like being in with me boys . He said , and it 's really good , he said , cos I 'm , I 'm celebrating my fortieth birthday , he said , and I ring my boys , he said , and they listen to the same sort of music I do . He said , whereas my mum over there in the corner , he said , if she had a bash I had to listen to bloody Frank Sinatra , would n't I ? And I 'd go , yeah . It 's like yeah .
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: yes)
For the pregnant girls it is often a real eye - opener to see the other girls go off , deliver their babies and come back , having survived it all . But then they also see exactly what is entailed in having a newborn baby to care for , who does not sleep all day , but cries and is sick and needs constant attention . They seem to come to terms with the reality of this much easier than a lot of other girls . In this respect , pregnant girls at Arbour are also very knowledgeable and confident about giving birth because they have been so well prepared for it , and tend to sail through labour and birth without a lot of problems . And some girls seem to change radically in personality after having their babies :
Idiom: doom and gloom (used idiomatically: yes)
We have a vision of a country that will ensure prosperity , low taxation , home ownership and a modern , competitive economy,’ he said . Mr Alex Salmond , Scottish National Party leader , said : ‘ The choice is between Scotland 's future and Scotland 's past . A Unionist past of failure and frustration from the doom and gloom merchants who denigrate their own country and tell us we could not survive without London ; or an independent future of hope , vision and self respect , as Scots regain our rightful place as equal partners in the European family of nations.’ For the Liberal Democrats , Sir David Steel , former leader and party spokesman on foreign affairs , said that , while the mood for change was strong , there was no wish for separatism and no desire to walk away from the Union . That was why this election offered his party its best opportunity for years .
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: yes)
This is not necessarily as great as the increase in the liabilities of the target company related to the breach of warranty , particularly if the purchaser has only paid a nominal price for the shares in the first place . Consents and minority shareholdings As a general rule the number of third party consents that a vendor ( or perhaps purchaser ) must obtain are normally greater if it is an asset as opposed to a share sale . The main consents required are discussed later , but include landlord 's consent to assign leases and major customer 's or supplier 's consents to assign contracts . In the current economic climate , however , consents are usually quite easy to obtain if the purchaser appears financially sound particularly in comparison with the vendor .
Idiom: behind closed doors (used idiomatically: yes)
NURSES are to take legal action to press for a public inquiry into the case of Beverley Allitt who murdered four children and injured nine others . The Royal College of Nursing is applying to the Court of Appeal for a judicial review of Health Secretary Virginia Bottomley 's decision to hold a private inquiry into the case . Ex - nurse Allitt was convicted of the crimes at Grantham and Kesteven Hospital , Lincolnshire , last month and the Health Secretary decided to set up a hearing behind closed doors , chaired by Sir Cecil Clothier . The RCN says Mrs Bottomley failed to take sufficient notice of the wishes of nursing staff to give their evidence in public . The parents of Allitt 's victims have already failed in a court bid to force a public inquiry .
Idiom: give someone the creeps (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's everywhere ! Oh God , I could n't have it ! Gives me the creeps ! That 's what I 'd be scared of otherwise I 'd put one . That 's it !
Idiom: squeaky clean (used idiomatically: yes)
They are suspended pending appeal . Quite rightly other countries , including Australia and New Zealand , have indicated concern and it 's even been suggested that the South African tours by those countries might be called off . The SARFU has assured both unions that is act will be squeaky clean before the All Blacks and Wallabies arrive . The mood of the players is one of anger . ‘ Test everyone and let those who are positive be kicked out’ is the general consensus .
Idiom: in a fog (used idiomatically: yes)
The accident happened last night in thick fog on the M - forty . Driving conditions were made worse by smoke from a burning lorry . The AA says lights would help , but police insist that once again drivers were going too fast in fog . Gargy Patel reports . M40/Oxfordshire
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
Azerbaijan and Kirghizia : New formal names The adoption of the name Republic of Azerbaijan ( dropping the adjectives Soviet and Socialist ) was proclaimed by a decree of the republic 's President Ayaz Mutalibov reported on Dec. 1 . A new state flag was also adopted comprising blue , red and green horizontal bands with a white crescent and eight - pointed star in the red band . Similarly , the name Republic of Kirghizia was proclaimed by the Kirghiz Supreme Soviet on Dec. 13 . Moldavia : Gorbachev decree on settling Gagauz and Russian separatism crises
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
CHAPTER EIGHT When they reached the house , Julius opened the door and they went inside . ‘ I 'll go straight up and pack,’ Jessamy said in a subdued voice . Julius did n't even reply . She had the feeling that he had run completely out of words .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
Now the advent of Mr Gorbachev , and the departure of Mr Gromyko , have rekindled hopes that it will be . If the 1957 explanation was false , the theory runs , then the subsequent loss of face would have been too great for a correction to be issued in Gromyko 's lifetime . And it is surely in keeping with the Kremlin 's efforts to win trust abroad , to remove once and for all an issue which intrudes into every high - level encounter with Sweden . Today no - one — with the possible exception of members of his family -seriously believes that Wallenberg is still alive somewhere in what is left of the Gulag Archipelago , four and a half years into perestroika . The question is rather exactly when , where and how he died .
Idiom: foot the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
That 's a very posh , exclusive , expensive place to hold a conference . Right . Who 's footing the bill ? The Department of Health . We get a specific grant , sorry for the jargon , we get a specific grant from the Department of Health for all sorts of aspects of the management of our department and training our staff and so on .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
And did he have any men working for him or did he work on his own ? Yes he er he had a nephew for part time but he was a now he was a Wolverhampton Grammar School boy . His two brothers both died with smallpox cos one was , they all three went to Wolverhampton Grammar School and they were a Wednesbury family and they died with the smallpox but I thought they were putting the youngest which was my grandfather for the best trai one was going in for law and the other was going in for medicine , and the youngest was go which was the same as engineering is today I suppose , and he went into the gun trade , and I can remember him , he was a grand old chap and er he used to come and bring the springs that he 'd made and to temper them he used to throw them in the kitchen fire , and they 'd die out and get them all out of the ashes in the morning , and he used to take his week 's work in his waistcoat pockets and his day out was to get on the tram at the Brown Lion , and go straight through Wednesbury and right through West Bromwich up to the Constitutional in Birmingham to Greeners or Wembley and Scotts and he 'd got these gun locks as he 'd made during the week in his waistcoat pockets . They were very small then ? Yeah .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
The maximum number of new ordinary shares that may become issuable pursuant to options granted under the Executive Scheme during any ten year period is 5 % of the Company 's issued ordinary share capital for the time being subject to an overriding maximum of 11,677,500 shares which represents approximately 7 ½% ; of the Company 's issued ordinary share capital as it presently stands . This overriding limit is subject to adjustment in the event of certain specified alterations to the Company 's share capital . Furthermore , the maximum number of new ordinary shares that may become issuable pursuant to options granted under all of the Company 's share option schemes during any ten year period is 10 % of the Company 's issued ordinary share capital for the time being . The Scheme will be administered by a committee consisting of non - executive directors . Resolution 10 — Issue of Shares for Cash
Idiom: across the board (used idiomatically: yes)
The foot placement is very important as it encourages the rest of the body to take up a good position . The front foot faces forwards ; this should help the upper body to rotate facing the front . The back foot is placed across the board on the centreline at a comfortable distance behind the front foot . Rig Position The next step is crucial because if the rig is not pulled across in front of the body all sorts of problems will arise .
Idiom: from the word go (used idiomatically: yes)
No . And once he makes this decision he he ca n't after a year or two say well no that was wrong , I wo n't I 'll er I 'll change now because he 's only got two years there . So he 's , he 's really got to get it right from the word go . But whether he will I hope he chooses right for him . But it will be his decision .
Idiom: hold all the aces (used idiomatically: yes)
These protests may have been ignored had it not been for the enthusiasm of Hans - Dietrich Genscher for EMU : ‘ the creation of a single European monetary zone , with a European central bank , constitutes the economically indispensable centrepiece of a European single market’ . Ever since , the role of the Germans in determining the timing and nature of EMU has been dominant . Given that the main impetus behind EMU is the desire of the French to get a seat on the Bundesbank , and given the fact that the Germans hold all the aces , this is hardly surprising . Formerly , the difference between the Germans and the French was that the Germans wanted to await greater economic convergence before implementing a monetary union , while the French thought that this goal should be achieved by economic dirigisme , including monetary union . By 1988 , however , the Germans had accepted the principle of EMU and worked within the debate to achieve their aims .
Idiom: behind someone's back (used idiomatically: no)
The set was to be maintained by BR at Carlisle Upperby depot under contract . It had a total seating capacity of 378 . In BR 's blue-and-grey standard coach livery , later to be repainted in classic Pullman umber and cream , the Pullmans made their SLOA debut behind ‘ Back Five ’ No 5407 on the Carlisle-Hellifield Cumbrian Mountain Pullman on 2 May 1981 . Yet even before that special had run , SLOA secretary Bernard Staite was announcing that the Pullmans would form the basis of a new series of special charter trains , operating during the summer months with diesel and electric haulage , under the title Pullman Scenic Land Cruises . This was the first time the phrase Scenic Land Cruise had been used by a train operator — but it certainly was not the last .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
Like children everywhere , they seemed to find lavatories hilarious . Robert had read the chapter on lavatories in Morals and Manners in Islam by Dr Marwan Ibrahim Al - Kaysi of the University of Yarmouk . It was tough stuff , and here , as in so many departments , the Independent Boys ' Islamic Day Wimbledon School was falling short of Dr Al - Kaysi 's , admittedly high , standards . Morals and Manners in Islam was the only book on the subject he had been able to find in Wimbledon public Library . Apart from Mr Malik , it was Robert 's only real guide to his assumed religion .
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: yes)
Their flat little heads swivelled this way and that , their eyes shining blue in the flaring light of the beacon . Her first thought was , They 're after me . Then she remembered the racket they ran here , in the spaceship docks of Plenty . She turned on the external floods , filling the bay with deathly white light . She saw the Perks flinch and blink , and felt a certain vengeful delight .