Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
There was another elderly gent who was misguardedly hoovering a friend 's stairs in nothing but a dressing gown when the attractions of the vacuum cleaner seduced him . Another victim of the household siren was a Colorado man who was ensnared while cleaning his car in his underpants . Apparently a build up of fluff ( so to speak ) clogged its workings and , as he sat to clean it on his lap , passion got the better of him . HOUSEMAID The Press & Journal carried an advertisement over half a century ago which read ‘ Wanted : Housemaid able to strip’ .
Idiom: gather dust (used idiomatically: yes)
Many dealers have lost a lot of money on stocking BSB systems which they can not now sell . They have not been paid for aerial installation work which BSB had promised to subsidise . Over 100 000 receiver systems , worth nearly £ 400 , are gathering dust in stockrooms . The high - street chain Comet had a tighter contract than most small dealers and has sued BSB for £ 10 million ; the manufacturer Philips has sued for over £ 50 million . Another company , Tatung has sued , too .
Idiom: up the river (used idiomatically: yes)
Mm Well because they used to know through the agent and of course them , them would have to hang , row down the river and hang about and would hang about for two or thr I mean when I was on the dredger them men would st they would come aboard the dredger and wait there , do nothing until the boat came up the river . And they 'd come on your dredger and wait with you ? And they 'd come up and wait them but I 'd make them a cup of coffee or a cup of cocoa or something like that , there were n't coffee then cos we could n't afford coffee we used to have cocoa or make them a mug of tea .
Idiom: in a fog (used idiomatically: no)
He understood now , all right , and there was some comfort in taking on the complete burden of guilt , a kind of purgative sense of martyrdom , not unrelated to self - pity . In another age Preston would have been out there with the self - flagellants , scourging away for all he was worth . But from somewhere in the fog of received wisdom and what passed for it , struggling to be heard above the sound of cracking whips , a persistent and unrepentant voice relayed a subversive message . Bullshit , it said . Preston identified it at once .
Idiom: go down a storm (used idiomatically: yes)
Expanding on the agreement that AT&T 's Computer Systems Division forged with Banyan Systems Inc last year , NCR Corp has now sealed a pact with the Westborough , Massachusetts - based company , said to be worth $ 25 m over the next three years : NCR is to market and support Banyan 's Unix - based Vines network operating system — in the US and Canada initially , worldwide at a later date — whilst Banyan distributors will be able to sell NCR products . UniVerse house , VMark Software Inc has filed to go public with 1.8 m shares priced between $ 10 and $ 12 . Intelligent input / output board supplier , Byfleet , Surrey - based Specialix Ltd , says its flagship product , the transputer - based RIO controller , is n't going down the storm that it had hoped it would : even OEM deals with the likes of Groupe Bull SA have not boosted sales , says marketing director , Ian Cummins , ' RIO is not selling as well as we thought it would … and our estimations on its performance in the market are nine months ahead of what has actually happened ' . Specialix also admits the move to Unix System Labs ' Unix SVR4 has n't gone smoothly as planned , saying that it unexpectedly had to rewrite several device drivers for OEM versions . Computer Associates has put Motif on its CA-20/20 spreadsheet for Unix workstations and PCs under SCO Unix .
Idiom: at the end of the day (used idiomatically: yes)
A specified time should be set as a deadline when outgoing mail should be ready if it is to be despatched that day . 2 . Regular collections of mail for posting should be made throughout the day ; this will ease the pressure and build - up of outgoing mail at the end of the day . 3 . All mail should be sorted ; if there is any post for overseas , care must be taken that the correct postage stamps are affixed .
Idiom: give up the ghost (used idiomatically: yes)
I would imagine the ball — it had this intense whiteness and a sort of vast , perpetual unburning non - consuming heat — rolling over the quilt of flesh that was my inside . As the ball came to a group of cancer cells , and passed over them , the cells reacted in dismay . They squirmed , shrivelled and after a brief struggle , gave up the ghost . After that I would shower them away , and peering over my side — all in my mind — would watch them being swept down a hillside in a cleansing torrent of water . There were times , however , when I felt that something , more active , more positive was needed , to be much used later in the year .
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
Is there a message?’ ‘ No … ’ Over his shoulder I could see the light above the lift doors flick on No . 4 . Top floor . Flat 11 ?
Idiom: round the bend (used idiomatically: yes)
It was too far away for me to get an ' Eric Hosking ' but at least I 'd possess a ' habitat shot ' . It stood there , motionless , and I was amazed at my luck ; it is very rare indeed to see a bittern in the open like this , and in daytime . A small party of bird watchers rounded a bend in the path fifty yards away and I beckoned them to hurry . But before they could reach the screen , the bittern had stepped , heron - like , slow , deliberate , into the tyke , and across to the other side . With its neck retracted , ' shoulders ' hunched , it entered the reedbed , then turned and , passing through the reeds , crossed again .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
One of the most important things the VBK did was to start a privately - run school of art for women in 1868 . When one considers that the official State Academy of Arts did not allow women to study there until 1919 , one can imagine how many women were given the chance of becoming professional artists by the mere existence of this institution which attracted tutors of the calibre of Karl Stauffer - Bern , who taught Kathe Kollwitz . The initial programme included drawing anatomy and perspective and was later enriched by the addition of a life - drawing class , considered to be an absolute essential for the training of the professional artist , but totally out of the question for a woman artist . In this way the school removed yet another barrier to professionalism . By introducing a programme for the training of drawing teachers in 1871 , the school opened up a vocation to women : a vocation through which they could attempt to have more secure incomes .
Idiom: take it or leave it (used idiomatically: yes)
' Take it or leave it . Take it or leave it . ' Miss Rene went before her out of the storeroom , her hand waving in the air , and the other two sisters took it up chanting merrily : ' Take it or leave it . Take it or leave it . ' At the shop door they all stood around her , and she looked at them solemnly now and said , ' Thank you so much .
Idiom: on a roll (used idiomatically: yes)
The Kyalami Ranch was very much the sort of place where James liked relaxing : you might have to wait two hours for your dinner , but never a moment for the sun , and James is a basker , the deckchair his habitat . His car was thoroughly competitive , he won pole position again , and this time — after a hard end - of - race charge after Lauda 's Ferrari — Hunt finished second and his team - mate Jochen Mass third . But Niki was still on a roll . He was the reigning world champion and he 'd won the first two races of the season . Hunt had the greatest respect for his capacity as a driver ; on the other hand , as Hunt said at the time , the difference between Niki 's Ferrari and the McLaren was really negligible .
Idiom: never you mind (used idiomatically: yes)
We 're celebrating . ' ' Celebrating what ? ' ' Never you mind . I 'll tell you when we get to the restaurant . ' Oh , God , please help her .
Idiom: jump the gun (used idiomatically: yes)
The National Heritage Memorial Fund say they 're prepared to match his gift with a further two million pounds on the understanding that a public appeal be launched to raise a similar sum . From Hereford , John Cane sends this report . Well , the feeling here in Hereford this afternoon is that maybe the National Heritage Memorial Fund may have slightly jumped the gun with their offer . Although the Dean in Chapters says they prefer the option of selling shares in the Mappa Mundi they 've yet to make a firm , final decision . So this afternoon 's news that Paul Getty is prepared to give a million pounds to help construct a building to house the mediaeval map and chained library has presented the townfolk here with yet another opportunity of keeping their heritage intact .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
( 2–A telephone call . The convention * indicates a substantial pause ; £ the beginning and end of overlapping speech . A : hello Mr Parkin this is Guy Cook here B : yes A : er do you remember um sending us a er an estimate for electrical repairs * for a hundred and fifty pounds * well I 've er just had a word with the Electricity Board with an engineer called Mr Golding and he tells me that the er the list of jobs you gave us unless there 's any special circumstances should not be more than around one hundred pounds B : oh * A : well he said he 'd have to look at it of course but er is there some special reason why you thought it would cost more A : well would you be prepared to do it for the price he quoted B : no A : well why not B : I ca n't afford it not with my wages and overheads £ I have A : well £ why should I pay an extra fifty pounds if I can get it done cheaper * B : well if you can do that * do ( 3.10 ) The social basis of conversational principles The co - operative and politeness principles , and the tension between them , reflect a dual purpose in human intercourse : to act efficiently together with other people , and to create and maintain social relationships .
Idiom: do a bunk (used idiomatically: yes)
His bike was over on its side . There was no sign of Lee . He 'd done a bunk . Philip picked up his bike , propping it up against the wall so it half slipped again . He was angry .
Idiom: face to face (used idiomatically: no)
He would then use his office to pursue his own interests . Well , potency was preferable to impotence . So long as the missi remained royal appointees , and in regular face - to - face contact with the king , the substance of royal interests too could be preserved . Missi were enthusiastically deployed by Charlemagne and Louis the Pious . They continued to be used in the next generation by Charles the Bald .
Idiom: on paper (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . . Oh it does hurt me to see how much the girls have spent on Christmas wrapping paper Yeah , mm . and it 's all crumpled up shoved into an empty box or an empty bag
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: no)
As fashion dictates what a lot of the manufacturers make and then try and sell to Joe Public , I suppose we 're all guilty of fuelling this aspect of guitar / amp and gadget marketing . I for one have formal qualifications in electronics and know when the wool 's being pulled , but others do n't and that 's your job . But how about coming clean ? The Smooth Tube does not have to be in a lookalike packet and neither does it need an LED . What we have here is the ‘ King 's new clothes syndrome’ yet again .
Idiom: up in the air (used idiomatically: yes)
The question or why an accident occurred , when an investigator is in possession of all the information as to what occurred , inevitably brings him into the troubled waters of ‘ human factors’ . Every accident may be regarded as the result of the action of a human being somewhere along the line . If the aeroplane broke up in the air or the engine fell apart then the designers could be at fault ; if navigation aids were not working properly a radio engineer could be responsible , or even the Director of Civil Aviation who failed to provide enough money for the maintenance of the aids . And of course , as we know only too well , it could be the result of a particular action on the part of the pilot . Aircraft accidents are not caused by ‘ acts of God’ .
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: no)
His role of mutant son extended itself to incorporate pervert as well . Thus labelled , it relinquished the parents of their last shred of moral obligation to their son ; even managed to convince them that in the end none of it was their fault . He was a bad lot and it was just one of those things . And now he was here , a different life , learning not to forget his past and not trying to hide or run away from it but rather learning how to hit back , to use the overwhelming anger he had in him to both constructive and destructive ends . They both continue walking , heading for cafés and silent cappuccinos drunk with modest , defensive smiles .
Idiom: kiss of death (used idiomatically: yes)
Chagrin struggling with honesty , she gave a doubtful little smile that was enormously appealing . ' Mm , ' she agreed . ' Kiss - of - Death Lil , that 's me . But I do n't know anything about selling things , only before I could tell that to the woman who owns the stall she 'd rushed off to follow someone called Harry — who 's not getting away with it , ' she tacked on comically . ' So I 'm sorry if I ca n't help you .
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: yes)
Was it the one that side or this side ? The the bungalow this side . You 're going down the road Yes . There 's two bungalows , or three bungalows is n't there ?
Idiom: up to the hilt (used idiomatically: yes)
For all his determination to break the mould , Vincent was in a sense always typically Dutch , and never more so than in his obstinacy . Here was a trait that Theo could wholeheartedly approve and support . And he did , up to the hilt , as soon as it was clear to him that Vincent had chosen his life 's work and intended to concentrate on it enthusiastically , against all the odds . Vincent made a start by setting himself exercises from a popular drawing manual , the Cours de Dessin Bargue , and by painstakingly copying prints . Theo was soon keeping him well supplied with prints and etchings as well as art materials .
Idiom: carry the can (used idiomatically: no)
Social learning theorists say that everything you are is a result of socialisation — everything is learnt and nothing is innate . Imitation or role modelling by children describes the way that they copy the actions or behaviour of someone they admire , usually of their own sex and possibly a parent or even a tv character . Conditioning describes the way that continually carrying out a task in a set way can teach a child how to act , and can be divided into two variants . Operant conditioning relies on positive and negative reward for reinforcement of values and actions , whilst Classical conditioning consists of association of an event with a stimulus . One of the classic studies of imitation by children was carried out by Bandura .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Could you make something , anything , for my gallery’ No brief , no specific function , just , well , anything . In the end , all I had to go on was the gallery itself . It is a relatively small basement room , so a large imposing piece was out of the question . I thought I 'd go for minimalism and delicacy . The gallery is largely stocked with Eastern and Oriental decorative objects and furniture , so it was n't difficult to establish the style of the piece .
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
Rose showed signs of renewed agitation . ‘ I have to see Dieter … we've got a lot to talk about.’ ‘ I 'm sure he 'll get in touch with you as soon as he can,’ said Melissa , trying not to allow her irritation to get the better of her . ‘ The best thing you can do is stay quietly here with Dora for the rest of the evening . Shall I go and fetch her ?
Idiom: at a loss for words (used idiomatically: yes)
Leonora smiled diffidently , blinking with surprise at the sight of Charity , who was such a mirror image of her twin that the effect was electrifying . But her real interest lay with the older woman , whose smoke - blue eyes and distinctive bone - structure proclaimed her Penry 's mother in a way which made an introduction unnecessary . ‘ How do you do?’ she said shyly , since both women seemed momentarily at a loss for words . ‘ It was kind of Mrs Wood to invite me.’ ‘ My dear child,’ said Mrs Vaughan , a look on her face Leonora could have sworn was relief .
Idiom: get to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
This time Sisyphus must get there TO UNDERSTAND the two most important things about the Greek economy , you need to remember that economic performance is just one of the outward manifestations of a people 's inner life . The Greeks of 1993 are trying to get to grips with a pair of huge economic imbalances . One is to a large extent the consequence of something deep in the Greek character . The other is at least partly the result of what history did to the Greeks between 1453 and 1821 , the centuries of Ottoman rule when ‘ government’ meant something alien .
Idiom: hot air (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm still left wondering whether this sort of statement in policy is in accord with the advice now contained in P P G twelve about the guidance the structure plan should provide to a local planner , and put my cards on the table , wonder whether it would n't actually be more to say if York can only provide thirty three hectares , that should be the provision first in York ? So as to remove the uncertainty about erm what in effect is a sort of black box floating around perhaps attached to a hot air balloon somewhere over York . David Curtis , York City Council . Erm yes , well I I think that 's a perfectly sensible way forward .
Idiom: look the part (used idiomatically: yes)
He might have an each way chance . On the local front Down Royal is also on next Saturday and there are huge fields despite the clash with the National . Bajan Blues looks the part in the Sportsman Hunter Chase , Fly By North may solve the Maze Handicap Hurdle and Carton may take the Moira Novice Chase . What a Guy , it 's strike number 40 GUY Whittingham scored his 40th goal of the season to push Portsmouth into second place in the First Division .
Idiom: small print (used idiomatically: no)
Publication date is a factor , though it must be interpreted with care ( see p.89 on obsolescence ) . Language is also significant ( see pp . 140–4 ) . Physical format can affect use — small print , for instance , or the fact that oversized books and pamphlets are located separately and therefore are more difficult to find . A whole range of accessibility factors also bear upon use of library materials . The location of the library in relation to users is important , but so too is the location of stock within the library .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: yes)
Cripples she knew about . Nut - cases she knew about . They were all over the place , trying to lean on you , trying to make out that they cared about what happened to you . Trying to get something for nothing . Round and round it goes .
Idiom: make the cut (used idiomatically: yes)
Leaf - roll sawfly This clever little beast is given a fair description and discussion in the answer to question number 52 on page 208 , which , with Figure 13 above , will enable you to spot that it has been on your plants . Another sawfly , the rose slugworm , chops out the soft parts of the leaf tissue between the veins to leave a skeleton . Yet another , fortunately quite rare , follows you around when it sees secateurs in your hands and drops a few eggs into the soft pith of the stem when you make a cut , before the cut wound has had time to callus and heal itself — another reason why you should always try to confine cutting to a fine dry day . The little larvae soon emerge — they know which way to go ! — and bore down into the stem where they pupate and eventually emerge as adults . Figure 13 .
Idiom: a hair's breadth (used idiomatically: yes)
She ought to insist that he go away . This was only undoing her newly formed resolution to hate him . But , as someone had once said to her — she could n't remember who — hate was only a hair 's breadth away from love . ‘ Does … does this Hugh of yours ever make you cry?’ she heard Fen ask . ‘ He only made me cry once,’ she mumbled against his sweater .
Idiom: all things being equal (used idiomatically: yes)
In theory , the higher the pitch of a sound , the better it is for accurate sonar . This is because low - pitched sounds have long wavelengths which can not resolve the difference between closely spaced objects . All other things being equal therefore , a missile that used echoes for its guidance system would ideally produce very high - pitched sounds . Most bats do , indeed , use extremely high - pitched sounds , far too high for humans to hear — ultrasound . Unlike Rousettus , which can see very well and which uses unmodified relatively low - pitched sounds to do a modest amount of echolocation to supplement its good vision , the smaller bats appear to be technically highly advanced echo - machines .
Idiom: child's play (used idiomatically: yes)
Particularly your timing , switching from regret to determination.’ ‘ Even while I was speaking I realised I could well turn the tables with that . The dinner will be child 's play by comparison.’ As always after a plenary session of the Council , the dinner was a formal affair . The medals and chains of office of the Heads of State glittered in the white light from cubic fittings suspended over the tables in the banqueting hall .
Idiom: in the club (used idiomatically: yes)
Drop us off and go off to do your bingo . To do your numbers innit ? And then come back down and meet us in the club when you 've finished . Well yeah pick you up at twenty past nine Yeah , yeah .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
The maximum in the current solar cycle has passed , but both solar and geomagnetic activity remain high . The Geomagnetism Group issues daily geomagnetic activity forecasts , making use of the most recent information on solar activity , and operates a real - time geomagnetic disturbance monitoring service for commercial customers . The total - intensity anomaly field and the calculated - declination diagrams below , left and right illustrate an area 55 kilometres square centred on Bathgate , near Edinburgh . The values range from -200 nanoteslas , shown as blue , to + 500 nanoteslas , red . A method for transforming the field intensity anomalies , which are scalar quantities , into estimates of the vector field anomalies has been developed and applied to the data for Bathgate .