Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
It had also drawn public criticism from Bettino Craxi , secretary of the Socialist Unity Party ( PSU — formerly the Italian Socialist Party — see p. 37786 ) , who in March 1990 had indicated that an alliance with a reformed and renamed Communist Party might be possible [ see p. 37508 ] . Occhetto , leader of the PCI since 1988 , narrowly failed to secure the necessary 274 votes for election as secretary of the PDS in the first round of voting by the new party 's national council on Feb. 4 , mainly due to the absence of 132 members . The Financial Times of Feb. 8 commented that Occhetto had fallen victim to " a miscalculated attempt by both left and right to elect him … with an underwhelming majority " . Lobbying of Napolitano 's followers over the following days resulted in Occhetto 's gaining 71.5 per cent of the votes in a second vote on Feb. 8 , in which he was again the only candidate . The events surrounding the creation of the PDS were regarded as having illustrated the difficulties awaiting Italy 's second - largest party in any bid to present a convincing challenge to the Christian Democrats ( CD ) through new alliances with the PSU , independent leftists or radical Catholics .
Idiom: bear fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
So he 'll be on the loose soon . + 1 415 961 0500 Roel Pieper 's 10-month - old promise to set up 10 international joint ventures for Unix Systems Labs ( UX No 380 ) is reportedly bearing more fruit . The company has done deals in France and China already and will soon have Unix System Technology structures set in Mexico , Canada and Australia . Suppose , just suppose , that all this sudden talk of finding a successor for Ray Noorda at Novell Inc does n't mean the man is moving out but moving up — up the board of AT&T.
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: yes)
Is the family aware of the stresses and strains that will be brought about for the child and family if the child should experience rejection on the basis of colour ; can it deal with this type of problem ? 2 Can the family provide the child with the skills that the black person learns in the black community : the skills to cope with racism ? Can the family provide the cultural and linguistic skills necessary for the child to relate to , and be accepted by , black people ? 3
Idiom: come full circle (used idiomatically: yes)
Shafts of moonlight spilled from the windows in the roof . Though he 'd dimly thought it was sentiment that had driven him back here , he saw now it was not . In returning here he came full circle , back to the room which had been his first glimpse of the Fifth Dominion . This was his cradle , and his tutoring room . Here he 'd smelt the air of England for the first time , the crisp October air ; here he 'd fed first , drunk first ; first had cause for laughter , and later , for tears .
Idiom: open someone's eyes (used idiomatically: yes)
Now she decides it is time to tell Pearl the truth . What she reveals is not one secret but many , in a spellbinding tale of her life in China before emigrating to America . This gripping novels opens our eyes to another world , yet its themes are ones we all know . Winnie is revealed as a woman of quiet fortitude who has endured almost unbearable suffering and sadness . But her sense of humour , courage and ability to love help her to survive those terrible years until she finds the happiness she deserves .
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: no)
Efforts should therefore be made to integrate handicapped children into the normal educational process , exempting children with distinct disabilities who greatly benefit from special , perhaps private education . If this notion of integration were developed within our total society , the mentally handicapped would cease to be regarded as a race apart . We have already discussed how the policy of segregating the mentally handicapped in long stay hospitals is being abandoned to be replaced by more widespread fostering in tandem with short term care , and the use of group homes in ordinary houses and ordinary streets . Such changes are extending the policy of integration beyond the confines of the educational system to the way that mentally handicapped people live their lives . Such changes are , however , being implemented by people who have the needs of the mentally handicapped at heart .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
You see , the primary aim of SWISS LIFE Network is to provide the world 's best employee benefit plans . Market - leading local insurers , known for their commitment to SWISS LIFE 's high standards , link up to form the world 's largest and most efficient insurance Network . At one and the same time , you benefit from the best available local plans tailored to suit your company 's needs and the backing of an experienced and reliable international Network , for a cost - benefit ratio that may well astound you . You can be confident you 're with the best in the business . Whatever country you 're in .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
She picked up the milk bottle , muttering to herself about how bad her back was and about her deep inner conviction that the steps would need scrubbing again . She could n't see the stain ; owing to the rain it was all dark , but of course it was there . She went straight down to the kitchen in the basement where her mutterings turned into a clear expression of disgust at the mess , cooking vessels all over the place and nothing cleared up . She climbed back up the stairs to the dining - room . She opened the door .
Idiom: with a vengeance (used idiomatically: yes)
pamela watkins They say that Pamela Watkins is an English rose in denial . Any attempt she makes to obscure her femininity backfires with absurd vengeance ; there is no refuge for that face of hers . Though I am envious , I would never think of competing . I accept that whatever good looks I may possess are artful , concocted at large by paint and persona .
Idiom: on the spur of the moment (used idiomatically: yes)
At the beginning of 1946 , John had another reason for fretting ; he had to change his lodgings and was living in digs that were ‘ too sordid’ to write about . The address on his letter is that of a hall of residence , so the description must have been exaggerated , but it conveys his exasperation . One day in February , on the spur of the moment , he walked into an office of Cook 's travel agency and enquired about a berth on a liner to London . Generally they were booked months ahead , but there had been a cancellation on one leaving almost at once . Herbert agreed to pay his passage and give him an allowance until he could find work .
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: yes)
This was partly because Picasso , like Braque , was at this time working largely from memory ; indeed he had been doing so for the past three years . This partial detachment from natural appearances , which has already been seen in the landscapes of Picasso and Braque of 1908 , is one of the factors that distinguish most clearly their approach from that of Cézanne and other nineteenth - century artists , and even from the Fauves , whose vision , with the occasional exception of Matisse , despite the liberties they took with their subjects , was still conditioned by their instantaneous reactions to their surroundings . Cézanne in particular had as a rule relied completely on visual models , and had looked at the subjects of his paintings with a concentration and intensity as great as that shown by the artists of the early Renaissance in their rediscovery of the natural world . Only in the figure compositions did he work largely from imagination and memory . The element of distortion and the handling of the space in these paintings relates them intimately to Cubism , although most Cubist painting is close , too , in feeling to the more constructive and austere portraits , still lifes and landscapes .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Cheers pal.’ With a quick reflex action he caught the tompaw , a short stout wooden handle with a steel claw set in the end , and thumped it into the first deal of the day . Yanto worked with a will . Making up the slings of timber ready for Tiny Bennion 's crane to pick up and dump on the wharf . The other half of the gang , working on the wharf , then took the individual timbers on their leather padded shoulders , and with that strange loping run , their steps synchronised to the bending motion of the plant , would deposit them into the timber sheds .
Idiom: in this day and age (used idiomatically: yes)
Something else , oh yes , yes . but it was one man and they stuck to him , and they , they lived with them first and then they married . Do you , honestly in this day and age I do n't think that 's a really bad thing , because until you 're with someone all the time , who knows what , you 'd never have got in , you 'd never have gone in would you ? . Only too , god if I lived with him first , I would never of married him , no , no , no way No .
Idiom: play the field (used idiomatically: no)
Local projects to benefit include the Alton Sports and Social Club who will receive £1,000 towards extensions to the Harry Baker pavilion ; Medstead Parish Council , who have been awarded £1,500 towards extensions to the village sports pavilion ; and Old Alresford Cricket Club , who have been given £100 to upgrade windows in their pavilion . An independent charity , the association say they can only hope to continue this level of help to sporting organisations with the public 's support . Donations to the appeal can be made directly to the Treasurer , The Hampshire Playing Fields Association , . Pile-up FOUR vehicles were involved in a pile-up in Liss on Saturday morning but everyone escaped unhurt .
Idiom: when the chips are down (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . Let 's face it , we 're quite selfish in the fact that we want to ensure that the area that we live in is safe for us and not too concerned that three or four estates down the road unless it starts to affect us . We do n't want the problems on our own doorstep cos when the chips are down , we like to go home , and we like to feel safe and if somebody 's entered your premises as an intruder then all of a sudden your security been taken away . It takes an awful long time for you to regain that and to feel safe in your own homes . Mm .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
He then sailed on to Dungeness where Sir John Norris 's fleet now appeared in strength . It delayed attacking till the following morning , and a calm during the night enabled the French ships , showing no lights , to make their escape and simply drift down Channel , only to be overtaken around midnight by a ferocious north - east gale . This not merely scattered them but wreaked havoc on the transports which had got out of harbour ; 12 were sunk of which seven went down with all on board . The remaining transports crept back into Dunkirk , while de Roquefeuil 's warships , driven far to the west , only managed several days later and badly battered to re - enter Brest , the nearest friendly port for vessels of their size . The English ships , though separated , escaped with only trivial damage .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
This is available from Passap USA in Salt Lake City , USA , in North America , or from Duet International Magazine in the UK . As well as all the programs that appear in the above publications , what you may also do is use the programs that appear for the Singer System machine version of the Form Computer , called the Knitting Computer or Digiform Computer . This expands the availability of shapes and patterns even further , because the basic Form Computer and its programs are one and the same thing for both makes of machine — Passap System and Singer System . Further even that this , although it is not possible for knitters to write their own programs for Form , there are programs that lend themselves to a great deal of adaptation and change that can be used to knit almost any type of garment . The main one I am thinking of is the BAND PROGRAM .
Idiom: blaze a trail (used idiomatically: yes)
' What ? ' Coconut wanted to know . Gareth told him about finding one 's way back to places by blazing the trail . ' I 'll follow you , ' I said , ' but you wo n't see me . If you go really badly wrong , I 'll tell you .
Idiom: on paper (used idiomatically: yes)
World War I , the most avoidable but most terrible of wars , had begun . In the following weeks , Montenegro and Japan joined the Allies , the Turkish Empire the Central Powers , with whom it had a secret treaty ; Italy and Portugal were later to join the Allies . The combatants were — on paper , at least— evenly matched . The German Army , with the Prussians at the core , had been emerging since the Napoleonic Wars as the supremely efficient fighting machine . By the Franco - Prussian War of 1870 it had become the most professional in Europe .
Idiom: lose face (used idiomatically: yes)
Vera did n't like that . She was about to knock again when she remembered the peeping Toms . No bonus points for losing face in front of them . She knew the Englishman 's type — no meant no . Unless they were queer .
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
Interest in this scheme , which can generate big commissions , appears to have spawned a network of introducers and brokers all leading to Daca . But concern about the operation has been so great that police on the Isle of Man have been flooded with more than 50 calls asking if the operation is above board . Enquiries by The Daily Telegraph have revealed that North Star is in fact operated from Swindon , Wiltshire , by a man called Robert Tancock , and is an ' off - the - shelf ' company purchased from a formation agency . The City solicitor whose letter is being used to vouch for Global Finance was shocked to hear of details of North Star 's advance fee demands . Curtis , Mallet - Prevost , Colt & Mosle , of Throgmorton Avenue , said it had now revoked the letter .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
We in MI5 come in a bit later . But the odd rumour has gone round that Six has been operating someone big , someone quite high up in the KGB . Someone with an elephant 's memory who might be about to finger Mills once and for all.’ ‘ And who is this person?’ she enquired innocently . He lifted his eyebrows and sighed with irritation .
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
This need was powerfully articulated during each visit , as , for example , by the head of School G : I think that every school library should have a qualified off - the - staff school librarian . We happen to have this year ( she is leaving ) a lady who is a qualified teacher and a qualified librarian . She is a fairly rare bird . But even if they are qualified and on your establishment we can not but insist that they have a substantial teaching load as well , and I really do n't think that is any way to run a library … I think all the staff ought to be able to rely ( as they can in colleges of FE ) on this full - time professional service , particularly where there are nearly 1500 customers and 80 members of staff .
Idiom: on a roll (used idiomatically: no)
He said that the establishment of a transitional government and any constitutional changes proposed by CODESA would have to be approved by referendum . This would effectively give the white population a veto on all constitutional changes . Although the whole population would vote in the referendum , the counting of the votes would differentiate between racial groups and all changes would have to win the endorsement of those on the white voters ' roll . Foreign Minister Roelof " Pik " Botha commented : " If whites do n't approve … it 's back to the drawing board . " The President also put the option of self - determination for whites on the agenda .
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
In fact , one of the major drawbacks with signature models is that the buyer unwittingly inherits all of the idiosyncrasiesof the original player 's design and , in a few instances , these could prove to be incompatible with his or her own style of playing . The scale length of the Tribute checks out at a Fender - like 25½ inches . The neck joins the body at around the 16th fret , making access to those all important top frets rather awkward , to say the least . However , I presume that Randy had his own ideas in this area too . The tuners are Jackson 's own and feel satisfyingly smooth and efficient , with no unwanted backlash .
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: yes)
And the bantams and all that . So , we soon sort of made our way out through there and this old boy , he was so funny ! He must have been around for years but I did n't know what his name was . So he , he went , course he had us calling like I 'm calling Gemma , Gemma and Jade and so he is going calling them by their names ! That was so well
Idiom: mean business (used idiomatically: no)
‘ Oh , you call him that , do you?’ ‘ And two others . They mean business.’ She recognized the woman . She had called on them when their parents died .
Idiom: to the letter (used idiomatically: yes)
He contacted the Citizens Advice Bureau to offer his services , and down came the shutters . They take no one over 65 , and retirement at 70 is obligatory . The reply to my letter tamely confirmed this , explaining that it was considered wasteful and expensive to train anyone of that age , for their service would be too short . Reading between the lines , what they meant was that they were not going to train people who might keel over and die before the CAB had had its money 's worth . I 've just had a Christmas card from my old healthy friend ; so that 's two years ' service they 've lost for starters .
Idiom: in the driving seat (used idiomatically: yes)
HARRY HARRIS RYAN GIGGS has the magical talent to become an even bigger star in British football than Paul Gascoigne was . And that prediction comes from a man who should know — George Best , who witnessed the brilliant individual goal by Giggs which put United in the driving seat at White Hart Lane . Giggs is constantly compared to Best himself , but the former United hero said : ‘ One day they might even say I was another Ryan Giggs ! ‘ Every time a winger comes along with skill he 's labelled the latest George Best , but that 's not fair on them — or on me .
Idiom: in full swing (used idiomatically: yes)
Mhm . over the bridge and into Clearwater proper . Er there 's one of the things in full swing . Oh yeah . Now we drove up the road and looked at some of these , they 're condominiums and a sort of chalet type places .
Idiom: hot air (used idiomatically: yes)
In another scoop , Festival presents this excellent new film starring the great Denholm Elliott not to mention Faye Dunaway , Emily Lloyd and James Earl Jones . Set in the steamy swamps of Bayou La Teche ' Scorchers'is part comedy , part deadly serious drama , in the story of two curious relationships — one in which a newly married husband ca n't get his young wife into bed and in the other a preacher 's daughter ca n't get her husband out of someone else 's ! The situation reaches fever pitch in a bizarre climax in which the characters ' cries and laughter ring out through the hot , humid air of the bayou , where men and women wage yet another round in the tug of war between love and lust , innocence and experience . Written and directed by newcomer David Beaird , this is your chance to discover an emerging talent . Cert 15 . 90 mins .
Idiom: catch someone's eye (used idiomatically: no)
Rain 's arm was gripped by a dowager in green silk , the woman recognizing her from her byline picture in the paper and wanting to know who had killed MacQuillan . Smiling , Rain disappointed her and escaped . There were other similar encounters before she caught Ayling 's eye across the room . An actress cornered her with snippets of information about herself which she hoped Rain would publish . Rain would not ; they were far too mundane .
Idiom: on top of the world (used idiomatically: yes)
To Kylie and Dannii , their music was simply fun . Innocent , harmless enjoyment . ‘ Whenever I used to feel on top of the world , I would just open my mouth and sing , and not care too much about what came out,’ remembered Kylie . ‘ Let 's face it , singing is a fun , happy thing to do,’ she added . Kylie attends another glittering night out — and Terry Blamey is as ever her shadow
Idiom: once in a while (used idiomatically: yes)
Derelict cars parked in back alleys with their windscreens bashed in — you can climb in through the front and then over to the back , it 's dry and quite clean and the fuzz never think to look . Station cafés like the one at Temple Meads — I saw the freckly man with the ginger hair , stared him straight in the eye but he did n't recognize me — you ca n't sleep there at night , Vern said , but you can buy a coffee during the day and sit there nodding off and they think you 're just tired from travelling . Any café'll do , but you ca n't use any of them more than once in a while or they start chucking you out . Then you can wander round all night and … ‘ And what?’
Idiom: across the board (used idiomatically: yes)
In the United Kingdom the attitude to testing has been more ambivalent , although examinations and tests have played an important part in British education for well over a century . In 1862 , Robert Lowe 's notorious Revised Code introduced ' payment by results ' which relied upon a form of minimum competencies testing . Public examination statistics have regularly been collected although difficulties of establishing comparability over time , and across different examination boards and subjects , have reduced their usefulness for assessing the performance of the education system as a whole . In the 1970s the Department of Education and Science pinned its hopes on the APU to provide a general measure of the achievement of children at schools and , implicitly , changes in standards over time . Ten years after the establishment of the APU , hopes for the kind of information it was intended to provide had faded .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
Of course— as Titmuss pointed out — had the Luftwaffe launched an all - out offensive on 3 September 1939 , as everyone expected , this scenario would have come about . Indeed , even after the first wave of evacuation had taken place it was the view of the Board of Education that ‘ if there were any further large - scale evacuation it would probably be a hasty one , occasioned by sudden and serious bombing . Medical examination of each child would then be almost out of the question’ . As a result of this pessimism , many important administrative arrangements were settled late in the day in many cases only after the Munich crisis of September 1938 , as in the case of food distribution and transport . By late 1938 , in fact , the evident lack of official preparedness was causing concern both to outside bodies like the National Union of Teachers ( who frequently complained about it ) and to Civil Defence Regional Commissioners : for example , on 28 September 1938 one of them wrote to the Ministry of Health from his headquarters at Maidstone that :
Idiom: to the tune of (used idiomatically: yes)
Today , the chemical and pharmaceutical industries , with their strong commitment to R&D , run a trading surplus of almost £ 5bn . Aerospace is another big export earner ; it contributed £ 16bn to the overall UK trade balance in the 1980s . Mechanical engineering , too , runs a surplus — to the tune of £ 1.8bn in 1991 . All other sectors are in , or near , deficit — food and drink , and footwear and clothing , hugely so . ( Chris Haskins , of Northern Foods , points out that Britain has not fed itself since the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 . )