Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: lay an egg (used idiomatically: yes)
Butterfly eggs may be laid on a wide variety of plants , though each type of butterfly has its preferences . Most butterfly books , for example The Observer 's Book of Butterflies by W. J. Stokoe ( Warne ) , list the plants on which eggs are laid . Several butterflies , including the Small Tortoise - shell , Peacock and Red Admiral , lay their eggs on stinging nettles . A nettle patch is a good place to watch for egg - laying , especially during May and June . The white butterflies lay their eggs on plants of the cabbage family and also on the garden nasturtium in May to August .
Idiom: square the circle (used idiomatically: yes)
’ Erskine May’states clearly that amendments may be made in Committee even if they are not within the Bill 's scope according to the long title . Thereafter , once the Bill is amended , the long title may be changed , but only to take account of the amendments that have been made . Therefore , I believe that we can square the circle and there is no reason to say that , by widening the scope of the Bill 's long title , it would open the issue so much that the Bill 's progress to Report would be unnecessarily delayed . Mr. Forth I have not been in the House as long as the hon . Gentleman and I defer to his experience .
Idiom: to a turn (used idiomatically: yes)
Irish under-16 10 miles TT champion John Grant took the under - age gold with 23.39 . Kirk Sloan ( Ards CC ) took silver , and new Irish under-15 champion Denis Cormican ( Phoenix ) the bronze . Irish 25-mile ladies champion Claire Moore gave Trainor Solicitors a home win in the ladies championship after Aishling Baird ( Phoenix CC ) had led her to the turn , but lost over a minute on the run back . Mary Stewart ( Phoenix ) was third . Ulster 10 miles time trial 6 JT CYCLE 5 championship , Nutts Corner : 1 , Tommy Evans ( Banbridge CC ) 21.32 ; 2 , C McCann ( Phoenix CC ) 21.46 ; 3 , D McCann ( Phoenix CC ) 22.39 ; 4 , D McCall ( Team Trainor ) 22.55 ; 5 , I Proctor ( Belvoir CC ) 23.01 ; 6 , S Hamilton ( Banbridge CC ) 23.07 ; 7 , I Chivers ( Fuel Services ) 23.10 ; 8 , M Hutton ( Phoenix CC ) 23.16 ; 9 , M Smyth ( O'Rourkes ) 23.27 ; 10 ( equal ) , V Tubridy ( O'Rourkes ) and J Grant ( Banbridge CC ) 23.29 .
Idiom: squeaky clean (used idiomatically: yes)
The New York Daily News proclaimed Dustin a new star but stated , ' He is rather plain - looking , resembling both Sonny and Cher , ' and , missing the point entirely , ' In addition , he 'll never threaten Rock Hudson 's image . ' More perceptively , Lloyd Shearer in Parade wrote , ' With his short stature , hook nose , beady eyes , unkempt hair , he looks like a loser , and it is precisely because of that loser image that the younger generation have made him their winner . ' There is actually nothing ' unkempt ' about the squeaky - clean Benjamin in the movie . So ' kempt ' is he , in fact , that he is thought to be a guest at a formal reception held at the Taft Hotel on his first visit . The New Yorker thought The Graduate merited 26 pages , and it provided a springboard for endless discussions about modern youth .
Idiom: make hay (used idiomatically: no)
Fattening pastures , as opposed to land where growing youngstock is reared or dairy cows kept , require little manure apart from the droppings of the grazing animals , as they are not exporting bone ( phosphorus ) or milk ( calcium ) from the land . The grazier 's main problems are to provide leys of palatable and nutritious grasses and clovers and to see that these are consumed in the lush , leafy state before they grow to stem and seed . As the three important conditions ( see above ) vary , he must be ready to buy extra stock , top pastures with a mower to prevent the grass from growing to stem and seed and to encourage the nutritious leafy portion , make hay , or on occasion buy in oil cake or other succulent feed to keep his animals going steadily ahead . The chalk downs The light , well - drained chalk downs of Wiltshire , the Cotswolds , Yorkshire , and Lincolnshire were the first areas of the country to be farmed .
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: yes)
Taylor 's best - known books , however , are The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living and The Rule and Exercises of Holy Dying . He wrote the first for Lady Carbery , whose piety he greatly admired , and its sequel in her memory . Holy Living he described as ' rules to live under , as though under a physician 's hand , to be used like nourishment , that is by a daily care and meditation ' . The rules cover all aspects of daily life , such as the use of time , prayer , and conduct to superiors , inferiors and family . They teach absolute obedience to the King , who holds his authority from God alone .
Idiom: steal someone's thunder (used idiomatically: yes)
Similarly , it has backtracked on its statement that services are to go live this autumn : the official line is that it is too early to say when they will be available . Mercury says to expect an announcement in a couple of months . Vivienne Peters , chief executive of the Telecommunications Users Association , believes that Mercury 's reticence may not be because of problems with the trial , but because it wants to keep the plan under wraps in the fear that British Telecommunications Plc will try to steal its thunder by pre - launching a similar service . PROTEON ATTRIBUTES LAY - OFFS TO ITS PUTTING MANUFACTURING OUT TO CONTRACT Westborough , Massachusetts - based Proteon Inc puts the need to fire 15 % of its workforce — and the consequent $ 2.7 m loss for the quarter to April 3 ( CI No 2,156 ) down to the fact that — in common with most other manufacturers in its area — is now doing little of its own manufacturing but sub - contracts most of it in order to benefit from application of the latest techniques in areas such as surface mounting .
Idiom: silent as the grave (used idiomatically: yes)
But as Downes spoke , with a helpless little shrug of his shoulders , the newly sharpened pencil of WPC Wright remained poised above the page . ‘ That 's the key to my locker at the North Oxford Golf Club , Inspector.’ Suddenly , Interview Room Two was still and silent as the grave . Forty - eight Darkness is more productive of sublime ideas than light
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
BRIGHT FUTURES When I grow up I 'd like to be … Dress for success with the new Bright Futures * Childrenswear Range from Debenhams — clothes and accessories to suit all walks of life * a proportion of the proceeds from each sale will fund children 's educational grants … an explorer
Idiom: get lost (used idiomatically: yes)
Their thin black moustaches were glossy with cologne , which wafted sickeningly behind them as they strolled to their offices . It was a heavenly morning , not too hot yet . I wandered ail over the city , getting lost then finding myself again where I had started . I saw some of the places that were to play an important part in the later dramas of my life : the great Clerecia church where I was to be sitting one momentous morning , and beside it the lovely Casa de las Conchas , its walls decorated with rows of carved scallop shells — seven rows adorn the upper storeys . I admired the main door of the Catedral Nueva — comparatively new , that is , for it was started in 1513 .
Idiom: in a fog (used idiomatically: no)
In a letter to Julian Salmon , Tinker writes , from HMS Glamorgan , 6 May , 1982 , ‘ The Argentinian air force has the latest attack aircraft and missiles , which we just do not have . We long for nights when their aircraft can not attack us , and at the moment we are rejoicing in a fog which is sheltering us , I wish the politicians would see sense and stop the war . What is happening here is barbaric and totally unnecessary . It is disgusting that two Christian and humane countries ( one at least ) should resort to this , all for some petty reason.’
Idiom: go great guns (used idiomatically: yes)
Mr Young , 69 , said : ‘ It is a great honour and a wonderful occasion.’ He laughed off thoughts of retirement , saying : ‘ I enjoy the job too much . The programme has never done better than it is doing now , it is going great guns.’ The Scotland international player Gordon Strachan , of Leeds United , was made an OBE for his services to football . He led Leeds to the English championship last season but the team 's fortunes have taken a dive this year .
Idiom: take it from me (used idiomatically: yes)
There 's also a side mounted font card slot at the rear of the right hand side , which , if not the most handy place to have one , at least echoes some of the printer 's antecedents , in that that 's where the first Epson laser printer , the GQ3500 had its slots . Ah , the memories ! The rest of the specifications are in the specifications box — extract from them what is of interest to you , but take it from me that the machine is as well specified as any at this price . From the ergonomic and looks point of view , at any rate , the EPL 4300 is , to me , a good looking and easily manageable piece of equipment . Skin Deep
Idiom: sweep someone off their feet (used idiomatically: yes)
Rotten weather ; it rained all night , but in the opening minutes , the Swindon players ran hard and challenged for everything . They were playing pass the parcel with the ball and musical chairs with the Oldham defence , who froze like statues . The prizes ; the presents ; the goals , had to come soon surely , as Swindon swept the premier league side off their feet with some stylish football . And of course the birthday boy should always get the biggest slice of cake . Well it was looking that way , as Glenn Hoddle closed in to shoot .
Idiom: out and about (used idiomatically: yes)
VODAPAGE ARE YOU GETTING THE MESSAGE ? Do you ever wish you could get a message to somebody quickly when they are out and about ? Or have you ever wishes there was some way that someone could contact you … A vital telephone number , news of that big order , a cancelled appointment or a message that you 're needed .
Idiom: serve someone right (used idiomatically: yes)
She climbed higher and at last managed the difficult transition from the top of the ladder to the edge of the hatch frame . She glanced down at the landing and the dizziness swept up to meet her . ' Serves you right , my girl , ' she whispered . ' You know you 've got no head for heights . ' Lucasta reached through the darkness for the light switch .
Idiom: in the saddle (used idiomatically: no)
" I 'm sorry , Papa , " he said quickly . " It was n't that clever of me . " Jacques Devraux continued to ride straight - backed in his saddle without acknowledging the grudging apology , and Paul was beginning to wish he had left it unsaid when his father spoke again in a softer tone . " Your mother 's death caused me great pain , Paul , you already know that . But having his only son turn against him is painful for a man too . "
Idiom: rise through the ranks (used idiomatically: yes)
From City of London School Oldman won a scholarship to Exeter College , Oxford , where he graduated in 1917 with second class honours in literae humaniores . After some war service in the Honourable Artillery Company , he entered the department of printed books in the British Museum as an assistant ( later assistant keeper ) in 1920 . Having mastered all aspects of the department 's work , Oldman rose rapidly through its senior ranks during and just after the war . Promoted a deputy keeper in 1943 , he became a keeper in 1946 , under Sir Henry Thomas [ q.v.]as principal keeper . When the latter retired in 1948 , Oldman succeeded him and held office with great distinction until his own retirement in 1959 .
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
Oh I see ! Oh yeah ! This week with those swimmers they were , those two women put a peg on their nose and had their swimming hats on and was doing the act of swimming in the lane ? No ! No .
Idiom: take someone to task (used idiomatically: yes)
Ahdaf Soueif in this paper felt that men were such a sorry , beleaguered lot anyway that the books '' combative polemic ' , with French in particular going wildly over the top , was likely to prove counter - productive . The Observer 's Nicci Gerrard admired Faludi 's ' formidable assault on American society ' and French 's ' impassioned hectoring ' , but looked in vain for ' thoughts on peace , pleasure , doubt or joy ' . In The Independent , Justine Picardie took Faludi to task for skating over the reasons why older feminists like Germaine Greer and Betty Friedan had modified the radicalism of their youth in the light of experience . Arcadia , Jim Crace 's poetic allegory of urban life , split the critics right down the middle . Michael Ratcliffe in the Observer admired Crace 's ' fluent , witty and pyrotechnic ease ' , and Francis King in The Spectator his ' audacious deployment of simile , metaphor and language ' .
Idiom: sign of the times (used idiomatically: no)
Another great advance in precision about the goals of the Council came on Christmas Day , 1961 , with the solemn apostolic constitution , Humanae Salutis , the official convocation of the Council . In a single sentence , Pope John provided the Council with a method and commentators with material that could last a lifetime . He spoke of the need to ‘ discern the signs of the times’ : ‘ We should make our own Jesus’ advice that we should know how to discern ‘ the signs of the times’(Matthew 16.4 ) , and we seem to see now , in the midst of so much darkness , a few hints which augur well for the fate of the Church and humanity ' ( Abbott , p. 704 ) . Pope John 's ‘ optimism’ was later criticized — why should he ignore apocalyptic signs of disaster to concentrate on those that gave grounds for hope?— but hope was in such short supply in 1961 that his words were eagerly seized upon ( Moltmann , 1977 , p. 368 , n. 64 ; The Extraordinary Synod of 1985 likewise gave a more ‘ pessimistic’reading of the ‘ signs of the times’ ) . The motu proprio Consilium Dei Nostrum in February 1962 fixed the date for the start of the Council : 11 October 1962 .
Idiom: out of this world (used idiomatically: yes)
WIN 10 SEGA MEGA DRIVES PLUS TERMINATOR GAMES AND VIDEO ACTION OUR great Terminator contest is out of this world . To celebrate the release of The Terminator video game we are giving away £5,500 worth of prizes . Ten lucky winners will get a 16-bit Sega Mega Drive video games console , plus the game which is from Sega 's movie games range AND a video copy of the 1985 Terminator film .
Idiom: fun and games (used idiomatically: yes)
As the nappy fell apart , a rich brown revelation mingled itself with the scent of talcum powder . ‘ Oh , shit , Alex,’ she said . Alex giggled in anticipation of more fun and games . ‘ You do n't know which end is up , do you , piggy?’ she said , wiping his bottom with the clean nappy and then with it in one hand and Alex under the other arm she went back into the bathroom . She sluiced down the lower half of his body in the bath , rinsed the nappy and carried him back into the bedroom .
Idiom: below par (used idiomatically: yes)
Galway 's first success came in 1923 , and they then added a further three in the 80s , 1980 , 1987 , 1988 . IRISH trainer Michael Kauntze could well have saved next Saturday 's Coalite St Leger with his decision — or that of his owner — to supplement at a cost of £ 25,000 the dual Oaks runner - up Royal Ballerina . With only 11 declared at the latest acceptance stage , the Doncaster Classic looked somewhat below par . But now that Royal Ballerina is in , we may have a race of truly Classic proportions . Michael had originally intended to run Royal Ballerina in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp the day after the St Leger and now Kauntze is hoping for dry conditions at Doncaster for what he regards as an easier race .
Idiom: easier said than done (used idiomatically: yes)
The sheer beauty aside — the course was a purple fire of heather in August — the principal features are a constantly changing tempo and a string of par-4s under 370 yards . EAST ANGLIAN DELIGHT ‘ They make you think of birdies,’ says Les Jones , the club 's pro for 38 years , ‘ but getting them is easier said than done . The senior amateurs were taking 80 in the wind last week . There 's a premium of accurate driving here.’
Idiom: take it from me (used idiomatically: yes)
My hon . Friend the Member for Northampton , North ( Mr. Marlow ) said that we should refer to’ car hooliganism’ , which is another exceptionally good phrase . Much closer to home for me , we listened to the hon . Member for Oxford , East ( Mr. Smith ) , who represents and lives in the Blackbird Leys part of Oxford . I represent the other half and represented the area in which he now lives until the boundary commissioners so cruelly took it from me in 1983 . I begin by revisiting the arguments in the opening speeches about why we need the Bill . When the right hon . Member for Birmingham , Sparkbrook ( Mr. Hattersley ) kindly let me intervene , I said that the Bill , should it pass into law , would provide us with not only a deterrent but a punishment and a way of keeping repetitive car crime offenders off the streets .
Idiom: point the finger (used idiomatically: yes)
' Crew indeed ! He would n't dare lay a finger on any of us . The man 's a fleecer who sha n't get away with it , and you … ' she pointed a yellow finger at James , ' have a duty to inform on him . ' ' I 've a duty to my skin , ' James Lambert said tightly . ' Which'll be flayed if you walk out on us now .
Idiom: touch and go (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Talking of fascists’— Robins made sure his pipe was drawing well —‘are they going to drag us into a war?’ ‘ I hope not . But it was touch and go at Munich . I 'm no expert , but what worries me is that , when you 're dealing with madmen , they increase their demands at the slightest sign of weakness.’ ‘ No war would ever reach this part of the world,’ said Robins , ‘ but I remember the last in Europe .
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
In episode three , the script required this seasoned gourmet to turn to his wife with the wide - eyed enquiry : ‘ Annie , what exactly IS a truffle?’ before scampering to open a reference book on the kitchen table so that the camera could zoom in on the illustration . This was a sort of Blue Peter for the gastronomically challenged for the clumsy truth is , of course , that either Mr Mayle or the adaptor of his book feared that WE would n't recognise a truffle if it crawled up our trouser leg . The resulting pains to enlighten us were , to say the least , patronising . Similarly , I found it hard to believe that Neil Morrissey , as Danny in the Comedy Playhouse pilot Stuck On You , was a sports journalist when he seemed able to fulfil all his professional obligations without leaving his flat . Television critic , I am here to tell you , is the only job in journalism I know which obviates the need to ever get out of bed .
Idiom: on and off (used idiomatically: yes)
He was sure it would work for him and his doggedness was rewarded , when , after using the new tool for a mere six months , he retained his Ryder Cup place and ended the 1989 season in 11th place on the money list with more than £ 188,000 . En route to amassing that sum , the second highest of his career , he passed the £ 1 million mark in career earnings . Although winless since 1987 and suffering all sorts of mental anguish both on and off the course , Torrance was eager for the 1990 campaign to start . During the winter he had been heartened by the success of the diminutive Peter Senior . He went back down under at the end of ‘ 89 and ran away with the Australian Order of Merit with three wins — using a Sam Torrance putter .
Idiom: around the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
Kemble has been a Maintenance base since it was commissioned in ninteen thirty eight . It was the home of the Red Arrows but has never been used for such a major excercise as the one this week . Harriers take off around the clock from hastily constructed hides . They 're using metal strips for taxiing . Voice over
Idiom: rise from the ashes (used idiomatically: yes)
EIRLYS Morgan has retired after 27 years service in the canteen at Penygloddfa primary school , Newtown . Best brass THE sound of music will take over at Rhyl 's New Pavilion Theatre when 36 brass bands compete in the second annual Rhyl Festival of Brass , on the weekend of June 19–20 . ONE of Anglesey 's oldest town halls is set to rise from the ashes of a fire which destroyed it . Ynys Mn Borough Council , which is responsible for the hall , has confirmed that it has had separate meetings with representatives of Llangefni Town Council and Bangor Market Company . But he warned : ‘ Although the precise amount will need to be determined , it is clear that there will be a substantial difference between the total cost of refurbishment and the amount which can be recovered through the council 's insurance policies .
Idiom: tread the boards (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I shall pay you well for the boots , of course,’ Charles said in a matter - of - fact tone that did little to conceal his emotions . Then , with a return to his flamboyant self , he flung his arms wide . ‘ But more , I shall spread your name far and wide to all parts of the country , you will be as famous as any of the actors who have trod the boards at this theatre , that I promise you , Hari Morgan.’ A sudden wash of laughter and raised voices shattered the silence as the doors opened and from the area of the stage , the performers returned to the small dingy dressing - rooms . ‘ Hari!’
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: yes)
Should that happen , the probable rise in global average temperature relative to pre - industrial times will be 5˚C or more . It has been more than 30~million years since the earth ’s temperature was that high . The human species , which has been around for no more than 200,000 years , would have to deal with a more hostile physical environment than it has ever experienced . Floods and droughts would become more intense and global sea ~ levels would be several meters higher , severely disrupting lives and livelihoods , and causing massive population movements and inevitable conflict around the world . Some parts of the world would be under water ; other would become deserts .
Idiom: get on someone's nerves (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We cling to the past,’ he said , ‘ to the old , because we are afraid . I 've been afraid of hurting Eva , of hurting Margaret , and most of hurting myself.’ This stuff was really getting on my nerves . ‘ Our lives become stale , they become set . We are afraid of the new , of anything that might make us grow or change.’
Idiom: on someone's mind (used idiomatically: yes)
Your friends begin to wonder what is wrong . You begin to hate yourself for what you 're doing . Things are always on your mind . Trying to feel better by using more never seems to work for long . Drugs and AIDS
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
Up till recently , ceilings , walls and woodwork were either done in gloss , eggshell or flat paint , with perhaps the odd contrast border or super graphic thrown in as an added bonus . Now the increasing sophistication in most paint ranges , plus a new interest in the purely decorative aspect , has resulted in the revival of old traditional crafts and techniques such as stippling , rag - rolling , colour - washing , dragging and lacquering which can all be learnt and practised without too much difficulty . If you 've never tackled these techniques before you should experiment off the wall first , using linin– paper . You can make a ceiling seem much higher by painting it a lighter colour than the walls and keeping the floor a light tone as well . Lower a too - high ceiling by painting it darker .