Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: no)
In 1976 , Linda Ronstadt released an album called ' Hasten Down The Wind'(Asylum Records No . 7E-1072 ) which featured not only the guitars of Andrew Gold and Waddy Watchel ( anyone remember seeing him with the Everlys way back on their 1973 UK tour ? ) but also a fine , guitar - playing steel guitarist named Dan Dugmore . Late ' 76 saw Linda in this country with an excellent show and playing with the same guitarists that had appeared on the album . Come to think of it , that one - year period — from late-'75 to late-'76 — was pretty good for UK music - lovers , since aside from Linda , Emmylou came over twice with James Burton in her ' Hot Band ' . I 've been asked to tab out the solo and the ending from a song from ' Hasten Down The Wind ' , Linda 's version of That 'll Be The Day . In this song Andrew and Waddy play individual solos before harmonising together for the end of the solo section and for the ending lick of the song .
Idiom: lay an egg (used idiomatically: yes)
After the death of an infected foundress in a fig , about six or seven namatode adults emerge from the carcass , mate and lay eggs in the same fig . The eggs hatch synchronously with the emergence of the wasp larvae , and the namatode larvae infect young female fig wasps before they disperse . Because the wasps lay all their eggs in a single fig , estimates namatode virulence as the relative lifetime reproductive success of the infected compared with uninfected wasps , when each lays on its own in a fig . A consequence of fig - wasp life - cycles is that the number of female wasps laying in a fig determines the opportunity for horizontal transmission by the nematodes . If only one female is present , a nematode 's offspring must infect the offspring of that host .
Idiom: all hell broke loose (used idiomatically: yes)
But it quickly became obvious I was in it too . I got on the brakes because there was no way through . Then all hell broke loose . I was into Regazzoni 's car which was sliding backwards and my rear wheels climbed over his . My car was in the air , flying …
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: yes)
Governments and major pharmaceutical companies must be sure that poorer nations receive the medical supplies they need . Even as we cope with today ’s challenge , however , we must look ahead . Beyond this pandemic , there almost certainly lurks another down the road – potentially far more serious . The same principles of solidarity must guide us as we mobilize to meet the other health challenges that afflict the world populations , and the poorest in particular . Around the world , one woman dies every minute in childbirth .
Idiom: out of the picture (used idiomatically: no)
That is as true for Romney as it has been for Obama . Romney asserted that his foreign ~ policy was “ pretty straightforward . ” It was , he said , “ to go after the bad guys , to make sure we do our very best to interrupt them , to kill them , to take them out of the picture . ” In other words , he would “ kill them ” where they were found , not only on the battlefield , but also in other sovereign countries , such as Pakistan , without charge or trial . Obama , for his part , scored points by shaming Romney for having opposed the illegal raid that killed Osama ~ Bin ~ Laden .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
Sinton , also joining the candid club , said : ‘ I did n't think it was a penalty , either.’ But that did n't save Morris from a rucking by Boro manager Lennie Lawrence . ‘ Chris was well out of order,’ he said . Boro took the lead three times through Alan Kernaghan , Tommy Wright and Willie Falconer but each time were hauled back through Les Ferdinand , Gary Penrice and Sinton 's first - ever penalty for Rangers . MORRIS : Sorry
Idiom: reinvent the wheel (used idiomatically: no)
' We are worried about patent law restricting access to the gene itself , because the resource existed before . ' Mike Ward and Andy Coghlan Reinventing the wheel A BICYCLE wheel with just three spokes will make its professional debut this spring . The wheel is more aerodynamic than traditional spoked wheels and avoids the problem that dogs many professional cyclists who use solid disc wheels — that of being blown sidewards by crosswinds .
Idiom: hands down (used idiomatically: no)
Er , judging by the noise I can hear some people have finished , some people have extremely short statements of about what they think is important and some people have got no statements . Who 's got five different things they think they are important , they would like to change , they would like to stay the same , who 's got more than five , more than five ? Not many , hands down , not enough . Planners out Miss are we doing this ?
Idiom: wear the trousers (used idiomatically: yes)
That Nan asking off early because she says her mother 's bad . She 's a sly one that , you know . I 'd like to take a bet on it that the mother wears the trousers.’ ‘ Father , you know it is n't often this happens . And her mother is n't well .
Idiom: cut and dried (used idiomatically: yes)
YOU can get a fuller forecast of what the stars have in store for YOU today by calling Russell 's Horoscope Hotline for YOUR Star sign . Each call costs 36p a minute cheap rate , and 48p at other times . Do n't expect everything to be crystal clear , or cut and dried for Monday 's one of those times when you have to take the lead and not wait for folk to spell things out in words of one syllable . An important cash advantage or money making opportunity can be seized . Steer clear of complicated issues or sensitive subjects or you 're sure to put your foot in things and make a tense situation even worse .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: no)
It was left to our Juniors , competing in the Second World Junior Bridge Championships in Nottingham , to salvage our national pride . This they did handsomely , leading the Round Robin qualifying rounds , defeating France , who had been strongly tipped , in the semi - finals and Argentina in the finals . This was a deal where Andy Robson , playing with John Pottage for Britain , did all the right things . Well done , but no bidding system yet devised could have identified the absence of the nine of clubs . If this card had been with either North or South the slam would have been a 75-per - cent chance .
Idiom: in a nutshell (used idiomatically: yes)
The contrast between his treatment of Morpurgo — the occasional condescending coin — and Dysart 's — a roof over his head and some honest employment — was obviously lost on him . Logic he could no doubt purvey in abundance , but of true feeling he was entirely bereft . ‘ There you are , Mr Barnett : the life of Willy Morpurgo in a nutshell . So much I laid before Heather Mallender and so much I lay before you . The question is : what does it signify ?
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
But of course she always has much more to say . ) According to Robyn ( or , more precisely , according to the writers who have influenced her thinking on these matters ) , there is no such thing as the ‘ self’ on which capitalism and the classic novel are founded — that is to say , a finite , unique soul or essence that constitutes a person 's identity ; there is only a subject position in an infinite web of discourses — the discourses of power , sex , family , science , religion , poetry , etc . And by the same token , there is no such thing as an author , that is to say , one who originates a work of fiction ab nihilo . Every text is a product of intertextuality , a tissue of allusions to and citations of other texts ; and , in the famous words of Jacques Derrida ( famous to people like Robyn , anyway),‘il n'y a pas de hors - texte ’ , there is nothing outside the text . There are no origins , there is only production , and we produce our ‘ selves’ in language .
Idiom: think twice (used idiomatically: yes)
In The Devil 's Dictionary , he described litigation as a machine which you go into as a pig and come out of as a sausage . For good measure , he compared a litigant to a person about to give up his skin for the hope of retaining his bones . There is enough truth in these cynical barbs to justify your thinking twice about becoming directly involved in legal action . A number of potential snags were discussed at the beginning of Chapter 19 . No one can doubt that it is far better to aim to prevent job problems arising than to try to cure them by means of a law suit .
Idiom: hit the headlines (used idiomatically: yes)
She has worked tirelessly and helped raise millions of pounds for the charities she has taken on . She is now growing into a confident speaker , prepared to say what she thinks . Whereas once her every outfit hit the headlines , it is now her every word — and they are very much her words . In this respect , she has learnt a great deal from her husband . Like the Prince , she requests and gathers together information and reading material on all of the subjects she has taken on .
Idiom: know the score (used idiomatically: yes)
Nevertheless , it is doubtless her keen embrace of a jazz legacy — which now sees her planning to form an all - female acoustic jazz band — that is giving her access to a wider audience blissfully unaware of her label 's principal associations . So for those who argue that the rave scene has produced little else but badly dressed pre - pubescents , look no further than Nicolette . She certainly knows the score . ‘ If you look at house music , it 's always welcomed outside influences like jazz , I see myself as part of this tradition.’ books
Idiom: carrot and stick (used idiomatically: yes)
He will use the arts of cajolery and flattery , possibly deferring to the experience and expertise of congressmen and pandering to their keen sense of constitutional importance . To summarize , presidents do not depend on the trading of favours alone . Members of Congress and senior administrators are moved by considerations other than the carrots and sticks available to a chief executive . The latter and his staff will use an amalgam of stratagems and techniques , many of which do not fall within a satisfactory definition of bargaining . Nevertheless , a willingness and an ability to bargain are essential in a president who aspires , as they all must , to be ‘ on top in fact as well as name’ , and who hopes to bring about significant public policy change .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Perhaps he can,’ said one of the two remaining boys . ‘ He 's dead , so he might be watching.’ Something violent happened under the table , and the boy looked startled , then apologetic . ‘ Look , Jenny,’ said Sheila , ‘ we were all dead sorry to hear about your mother . That was rotten.’
Idiom: do the honours (used idiomatically: no)
' How beautiful you are , my lady , ' he said ingenuously before turning mischievously to his brother . ' The prince my brother can scarce take his eyes off you ! ' ' You do me much honour , my lord , ' Joan said , overwhelmed by relief that her identity had not been challenged . Indeed , she thought , I am beginning to see myself as Anne — beginning to believe I am Anne ! Next it was Prince Edward 's turn to greet her .
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
Cash ~ Aid for Africa STOCKHOLM – Europe has made an ambitious commitment to scale up its aid to Africa , and Africa ’s challenges call for that greater engagement . But boosting aid to countries that are already aid - dependent requires clearer delivery mechanisms and a degree of budgetary predictability .
Idiom: sitting duck (used idiomatically: yes)
They wanted taxes to be low , simple and compulsory . Tax - rates were cut , reliefs reduced or abolished and the £ 30,000 ceiling for mortgage relief has been frozen while relief is now restricted to the basic rate . It all made good sense at the time , but it has turned the middle - classes into sitting ducks , waiting to be plucked by Mr Smith . Accountants Coopers & Lybrand yesterday spelled out just how inflationary Labour 's tax plans could be if employers try to preserve their top staff 's living standards . The cost of a £ 75,000 net pay package would rise from today 's £ 130,600 to £ 177,000 .
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: no)
Then there 's ‘ Silver Milkboy’ , which was the cause of a large number of red faces when it turned out to be female ! It is now called ‘ Silver Milkmaid’ . Because the common holly , Ilex aquifolium , has been around a long time and produced many ornamental varieties , you will find quite a few with fancy botanical names . Sometimes they sound feminine , as in ‘ Myrtifolia Aurea’ , but do n't jump to conclusions because this particular cultivar is male . The common holly is a source of some of the best shrubs and small trees that we can have in gardens .
Idiom: go it alone (used idiomatically: no)
Men . come and go in their lives , but there is no necessary connection between motherhood and marriage . They are going it alone not only because they happened to " get caught out " , but because it is an alternative to aimless adolescence on the dole . " I always wanted to have a child , " said a nineteen - year - old woman living on a Sunderland housing estate with her parents . Youth unemployment there has reached 50 per cent .
Idiom: to all intents and purposes (used idiomatically: yes)
What The Smiths have gained , by remaining with Rough Trade , has been a far greater artistic control . Morrissey has been able to design all the record covers and , with the possible exception of ' This Charming Man New York ' , the band have remained as decision makers in regard to single releases , a measure of control practically unheard of in larger companies . To all other intents and purposes then , The Smiths are a major band with major backing . HATFUL OF HOLLOW ' I would love to go back to the old house …
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Twenty - Five The next day we followed my ball of string into the woods to show Tumbleweed our treasure . It was so beautiful it broke your heart thinking what would happen to it if the developers got their way . Foxgloves and campion in their pink frills , stitchwort with its little white stars and golden marsh marigold hiding in damp hollows , a dappled canopy in cool shades of green letting in dabs of blue sky , the fresh smell of damp earth warmed by the sun . ‘ It 'll be like Spaghetti Junction if that Sugden gets a foot in.’
Idiom: tit for tat (used idiomatically: yes)
In the autumn of 1985 a fierce battle emerged between United Kingdom holiday firms in an effort to enhance their share of the 1986 summer holiday market . This involved in particular two ' market leaders ' , Thomson Holidays and Intasun Holidays . Each began to cut prices , implicitly challenging the others to follow in a tit - for - tat sequence . Anything between 30 per cent and 60 per cent was being cut from the price of holidays . Some of Thomson 's holidays to Spain sold for only £ 25 a week or £ 35 for two weeks , and 500 Intasun Holidays were offered for £ 39 each .
Idiom: out of the blue (used idiomatically: yes)
( locally attested ) — of the Dog that Spoke . Out of the blue he gave utterance to all manner of mysteries .
Idiom: licence to print money (used idiomatically: yes)
Working from her converted garage , Lorna makes up sample boards , organises exhibition stands , creates promotions , and visits her clients , many of whom come via word of mouth . After the evening meal she returns to her office but tries to have ‘ one day off at weekends’ . Franchising is n't a licence to print money . ‘ You are self - employed and make of it what you will,’ says Lorna . ‘ But you get great support from head office .
Idiom: part company (used idiomatically: no)
Everyone experiences disturbing life events from time to time , and although they may cause a good deal of psychological distress , they can not on the whole be considered to have a deleterious effect on health . In fact the reverse case can be argued . The person who creates a crisis in a relationship which is not going well such that the two part company and he or she is able to establish a more suitable and rewarding partnership may do much better than the person who avoids crises and settles for a far from ideal partner . The person who , despite their concern about the loss of a company pension , leaves an organisation after many years of service in a disliked job to try a new field may well do better , in health terms , than the person who sticks it out in the miserable job . Even apparently adverse and uncontrollable events like suddenly needing to undergo urgent major surgery may well be an essentially positive experience if dealt with well .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
So he jumped astride a tractor and was being driven at maximum speed when he was told by somebody landing one of his aircraft alongside " You are not so far in advance of Rommel 's recce tanks " . At that stage the airman suddenly realised that he had left the carving and " Jane 's " pants in the caravan . All the paperwork had been removed and burnt , but the caravan had been the working place of the squadron — the squadron headquarters in other words — and so against the CO 's most urgent requests and orders the airman turned the tractor round and raced back , grabbing " Jane " and her pants off the caravan wall , thrusting them into the arms of the CO and then retraced his steps in the direction of El Alamein . 6 The Dark Clouds Gather When I returned to the UK in 1937 , just as the Expansion was getting underway and when the RAF was some 33,000 strong , one could see more people at a mid - week match at Arsenal .
Idiom: have it both ways (used idiomatically: yes)
The Government claimed in 1987 - 88 that they had a mandate for their legislation . It is strange , therefore , that in this Queen 's Speech the Government say that they intend to introduce a new Local Government Finance Bill to abolish what they did in 1987 - 88 . They claim that they have a mandate for doing that , too , but they can not have it both ways . My hon . Friend the Member for City of Durham ( Mr. Steinberg ) said that the legislation is only a shell and that regulations will be needed to implement it . He is right .
Idiom: hold court (used idiomatically: yes)
Taxpayer 's small problem A taxpayer was not entitled to elect to deduct the entire allowable expenditure on certain shares in computing the taxable gain on a capital distribution under s 72(4 ) , CGTA 1979 , as the distribution was not small . So held the Court of Appeal in O'Rourke v Binks [ 1992]STI 716 , allowing the Crown 's appeal against the Special Commissioners ' decision and dismissing the taxpayer 's cross - appeal . The taxpayer owned 560,500 shares ( allowable cost £ 214,602 ) in C Ltd , which in turn held 75,328 shares in Lasmo . C Ltd and R plc agreed to merge , the taxpayer receiving 840,750 shares ( market value £ 1,336,792 ) in R plc and C Ltd 's holding of 75,328 Lasmo shares ( market value £ 246,699 ) in exchange for his holding in C Ltd.
Idiom: talk dirty (used idiomatically: yes)
I know but you do n't have to do it every single day do you ? Why not ? I 'm not talking dirty or anything are we ? No of course . I should of said it .
Idiom: true to form (used idiomatically: yes)
' This time the lights turned green but I did n't get out of the way sharp enough . ' We were joined by Griff . True to form the odd couple had differing views on the subject . ' I 've had a sticker for my car made which says I Like My Windscreen Dirty , ' said Griff . ' And I 'm thinking of having it patented .
Idiom: to the letter (used idiomatically: yes)
I can go away from a conversation and half an hour later I think I should have said that right erm where I am assertive it 's where I 'm working to a rule book I know those rules backwards and I want somebody to follow those to the letter right then I can say that goes in that holder you do that that that and I do n't want any variation just do it
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
Surprisingly , so too were Nahum and Anna . When it came , there was nothing at all ominous in the reason for Christian 's unexpected visit … but it was none the less a bombshell . Clearing his throat noisily , Price perched a pair of gold - rimmed spectacles on his nose and announced he had received a letter from India . ' I must confess , the news it contained was not at all what I had been expecting . It has caused me a great deal of work , but it has resulted in an extraordinary discovery , one that I hope may prove satisfactory to you all . '
Idiom: that makes two of us (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm scared , but not that scared.’ Leila smiled reassuringly . ‘ Well that makes two of us then ! Now , if you lie back on the cushions , I 'll just hook you up to an enhancement device so we can share the experience.’ She wondered whether she should have had Ari dress in a bath - robe or something .
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
I also have more than a thought for the people who do have homes but who are living in conditions of appalling squalor , for battered wives and abused children who stay at home because there 's nowhere safe for them to go , and for the husbands who choose to stay with their families in the north rather than abandon them for crazy periods of time because they could find work only in the south , And while we 're on the subject , I 'm sick and tired of listening to government and commerce saying it 's ‘ uneconomic’ to locate businesses in the north of Britain when we 're currently importing billions of pounds’worth of consumer goods from the other side of the world . I do n't want to ‘ politicize’ the homeless in a way that makes them look like the front - line infantry fighting a barbaric government , which is a line some people have taken , simply because when you 're out there , it just is n't like that . However , it is true that government policies ( or lack of policies in some areas ) have contributed significantly to our problems and some of the changes that are now in the pipeline will almost certainly make matters worse . There are an awful lot of people monitoring the situation , pointing out to the ‘ powers that be’ where things are going wrong and suggesting solutions . At the moment , they do n't seem to want to listen .
Idiom: in the pink (used idiomatically: yes)
In full plume : 40 years on the throne , 66 next month , Queen Elizabeth II has reigned through two wars , seven prime ministers and Britain joining the EC , and has steered her family —'The Firm ' as she calls them — through a period of unprecedented social change Ahead of the rest : A descendant of George II , Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands is known for her hats A vision in pink : Queen Margrethe of Denmark , another great great - granddaughter of Queen Victoria , enjoys judo and rifle practice Snow Queen : Winter - sports fan Queen Sirikit of Thailand is said to have modelled herself on our own Elizabeth II Private life : Sonja of Norway , who was also a commoner before she married Harald V , is a quiet , home - loving Royal
Idiom: carry the can (used idiomatically: yes)
CANCER : Do No can ride on my bus DIY man Chris McGrath got the brush - off … when he tried to board a bus carrying a can of paint . Chris , 42 , of Longsight , Manchester , said he was told by the driver the half gallon tin might spill . ' I could n't believe it , ' he said yesterday .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
We were particularly delighted to support this prestigious regional event.’ Exclusive tableware for QE II AMONG a host of prestigious contracts won by Corporate Wedgwood is an order for 18,000 pieces of tableware for a restaurant on - board the luxury liner QE II . A sophisticated black and gold design , exclusively created for the world 's finest floating restaurant , came into service in The Queen 's Grill Room recently before the ship embarked on a voyage to the Caribbean . In addition , an order has been received for 850 , fine bone china tea sets in the Cavendish pattern with the famous QE II crest which will be presented to Cunard world cruise passengers next year .