Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: on the ropes (used idiomatically: yes)
There are signs too , telling you that these are the Butter Tubs , in case you did n't know . The name is supposed to come from their usage as cool stores for butter that farmers travelling the pass had failed to sell at market . The butter was lowered down on ropes into the cool depths to keep until next market day . It was a gentle pull up Lovely Seat to the cairn , but again the June winds of our English summer were too cold for anything but a brief look over to Shunner and south to Dodd Fell and the distinct hump of Ingleborough before taking a compass bearing and walking off towards Hardraw . The clouds broke a little and the sun that had previously looked like a tarnished shilling in a bowl of porridge came out and lit the sweep of Wensleydale below the cairn .
Idiom: crocodile tears (used idiomatically: yes)
Maybe I should just've stayed here and untangled Mrs Wertenheimer 's fight with her landlord . That I could 've got right.’ Despite herself Ages smiled with real warmth at the old crocodile - Magill was never a moose — shedding genuine crocodile tears . She believed in most of what he 'd been saying ; she had no idea of how much he believed himself Magill put on a brave wry smile .
Idiom: turn the tables (used idiomatically: yes)
For God 's sake go to bed and try and sleep it off before dinner . Where are we going anyway ? " No , I 'll be okay , I said or whimpered — just get me some tea or something Selina , she 's turned the tables on me somehow , that Selina . I wish I knew how she managed it . Sighing , I lay on the couch with my mug .
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
The fame of Peter Abelard had helped to make Paris the centre of the intellectual world of the twelfth century , the Mecca of all students . So Gerald of Wales went to Paris and there , on a warm summer 's night , he was abruptly awoken when all the bells of the city began to peal . Through his window he could see the flickering light of flames . His first thought was that Paris was on fire — an ever - present threat when wood was the chief building material . He rushed to the window .
Idiom: close shave (used idiomatically: no)
He has a great sense of humour and will keep you all well - amused . He was our college barber ; and at a time when most of us were penniless he cut hair for a shilling (= 5p , to those who do not know what a shilling was ) . And so we all had a close shave once a term . We all called him ‘ Mol’ abbreviating his name as students always do ; and throughout the diocese he is known by all his brother priests as simply ‘ Mol’ ; and now I gather that his parishioners call him Fr Mol . I asked him how he would prefer to be addressed and he said you can call him what you please , as long as it is polite .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: no)
Just a couple of weeks ago this game looked to be a certain home banker . But what a difference a few days can make Saints crashed badly at home to Bradford Northern on the day when Doug Laughton 's men were giving arguably their best performance of the season in running up a convincing score against his old club Widnes . Both sides have a point to prove Saints that they can bounce back quickly from the Bradford disappointment ; Leeds that they are on a consistent run of wins . It promises to be an intriguing clash with Saints aiming to extend their magnificent Regal Trophy record of not having lost a first round match for 11 years the best run in the competition which they share with cup kings Wigan . The last team to knock out Saints at this stage were Barrow in 1981 - 82 when they forced a shock 16 - 16 draw at Knowsley Road then won the replay 17 - 0 .
Idiom: slip through the net (used idiomatically: yes)
Bad luck on the Liberal Flemish Freedom and Progress Party ( PVV ) and the Francophone Liberal Reform Party ( PRL ) , who got left out and with a handful of other minority parties make up a discordant opposition . Worse luck on the voters who have to contend with the most challenging of ballot papers . It is a wonder that no Flemish or Francophone equivalent of the Corrective Party — or Screaming Comte Ghent — has ever managed to slip through the net . The system is further complicated by the fact that on many issues a Flemish socialist is far less likely to agree with a French - speaking fellow - socialist than with a conservative fellow - Fleming . Nation usually speaks louder than ideology ; as a result , the generally accepted notions of government and opposition break down .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
There was more to celebrate moments later . A real beauty of a goal , just watch the pass from Mustoe and the finish from John Derning . United 's luck changed then as Martin went off with an ankle injury , to be followed a few minutes later by Stoke defender Chris Hemming , a clattering tackle on Derning brought the red card out of the referee 's pocket and boos for Hemming . Two up and playing only ten men you 'd think Oxford would have walked it , but then Dave Bamber bustled through to score . In the second half United came bouncing back thanks to Richard Hill .
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: no)
He was hurt because the reputation he prized , perhaps most of all , of being an all - round expert on the farm would now be jeopardized : and when Walter Cater met the horseman he admired most in the district , as he did every Sunday morning , he was asked quite seriously : ' What ! Were you taken ill , Walter ? ' And although his father said : ' lt was thet boy o ' mine ! ' , the bent drill - furrow was always a source of leg - pulling between the two friendly rivals : ' You 're not a ' going to tell me a tale like thet , Walter Cater . You fell over ! Course you did . '
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 'm pleased to see you,’ indicated by the arms and legs thrashing about . ‘ I want that,’ which babies as young as five months ‘ say’with a hard stare and small cries and arm movements . Even very young babies turn their heads away from something they do n't want . By seven or eight months , a baby 's posture can tell you how comfortable she really feels . Sit her on a stranger 's knee and she may seem content , but compare her rigid posture with how relaxed she is on a parent 's knee .
Idiom: stand the test of time (used idiomatically: yes)
He was not to waster them . Six cylinder saloons and coupes followed , then the 5-series , the 3-series — how logical it all seems today — the 6-series , the sevens and now the eights . ‘ The ultimate driving machine’ the ads said , a claim that was to stand the test of time like few others , establishing principles of BMW motoring as true today as ever . In 1970 BMW built 161,000 cars and , despite always healthy rivalry , was not in Mercedes ' league . This year BMW will make about 580,000 cars and for the first time outstrip Mercedes .
Idiom: fill the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Bill it to your room , sir?’ ‘ Please,’ answered Adam , taking the map with one hand and showing his room number on the key tag with the other . As the concierge filled the bill out on the computer , Adam opened the brightly coloured map and spread it on the counter . ‘ You are looking for something?’ asked the concierge . ‘ We wanted to visit some sights while we 're here.’
Idiom: green light (used idiomatically: no)
This was the code telling Springfield that Grant was about to attempt to take out the basement Control Room . Should they fail to see a green or red flare fired from Larsen 's Very pistol within ten minutes , they were to launch the main assault and force their way in . A green light would indicate that the enemy Control had been successfully taken , and the detonation of the firebombs prevented . A red light , on the other hand , would mean that something had gone wrong and Bob Wallace 's fire - fighters were needed urgently . ‘ Message received an’ understood , Pathfinder One,’Springfield 's reassuring drawl confirmed .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
There were not more than one ~ hundred passengers on board the ferry .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
The election of O'Neill 's successor , Major James Chichester - Clark , resolved nothing . The Catholics , with their new - found self - confidence , were not prepared to accept unjust second - class citizenship , while Unionists were unwilling to relinquish generations of privilege and supremacy . Things came to a head at the Apprentice Boys ' parade in Derry on 12 August . The parade was scheduled to proceed through the city and skirt round the walls overlooking the Bogside . The march — an annual commemoration of the siege of Derry — was a provocative symbol of Protestant mastery .
Idiom: crystal clear (used idiomatically: yes)
An evocation of his previous summer holiday in Pontardulais , it was the first of many papers about the half - fantasy Malory - like character of a knight called Basil of the Woods or the Knight Solitary : ‘ all very sublime but a little uninteresting to everyone but myself . As a child of 16 , I was supposed to have some gift of description ; now I have not a particle of descriptive power … . It all rests upon a possible impressionableness in me , and relies a good deal on mystery or mist . , The allegory in ‘ Shadows of the Hills’ is crystal - clear , in spite of the involved style : ‘ For Nature took him and held him fast like a jealous lover … But he might not always meet her calling or her waiting , for men , too , were bidding him to the sound of axe and plough and sword.’ Thomas found himself ill - equipped to answer this bidding call effectively : This doubt of myself is the more powerful , because I see how all along my senses are so powerful .
Idiom: by the same token (used idiomatically: yes)
Formed in September 1987 by Harvey Wilson , Martin Glick and Alan Sheldon — three of the most knowledgeable people in the kitchen manufacturing industry with 50 years experience between them — Wilson & Glick Kitchens promise to be one of the most striking success stories of the 1990 's . Higher quality at lower prices’ is the reassuring promise made in their advertisements and a ten year guarantee — as opposed to the normal one year guarantee — is what Wilson & Glick are committed to . As Harvey Wilson , says , ‘ Nobody puts their name to a business they 're not proud of and , by the same token , it gives the customer confidence to know that somebody is accountable at the end of the day … that they are dealing with a company that is owned and run by the people whose names appear on the top of letterhead.’ By identifying these two fundamental factors and offering a realistic proposition ( higher quality at lower prices ) , rather than a ‘ free’ this or a ‘ free’that , Wilson & Glick have already gained the confidence of hundreds of satisfied customers for whom value for money and quality at an affordable price are the main criteria . There are thirteen ranges , each manufactured to the highest standard , available .
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Having heard it so many times , I can recite the poem by ~ heart now .
Idiom: eternal triangle (used idiomatically: yes)
left out and two would interact and Right , right but the two 's company and three 's a crowd idea is that if you 've got er two people , they , they may have er some libidinal interest in each other and they may have a couple , but a third person is , is just a complication . It it 's , it 's the eternal triangle they 're the stuff of which novels and soap operas are made . What wo what would they do without the eternal triangle ? Virtually none one suspects , so ca can you see the problem here ?
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
The event 's being organised by Geoff Holmes . He was 25 , and a defence platoon corporal , during the ill - fated operation , but full of confidence now … The veterans are convinced they 're fit enough to make the jump … though some of them will do so in tandem with instructors … Every veteran has a story to tell , Robin Holburn was 19 when he landed in Arnhem after parachuting from a glider . Others who made it to within a hundred yards of the bridge … count themselves lucky to have survived …
Idiom: get on someone's nerves (used idiomatically: yes)
They get on your nerves . Make a bloody song and dance of it ! Do n't half get on your nerves ! It gets on my nerves anyway ! I chucked them all off last week .
Idiom: give someone the eye (used idiomatically: yes)
An old bloke on a front seat — fifty if he was a day Sang ‘ I belong to Glasgow’ to help us on our way A group of lads talked loudly and one gave me the eye Dressed real smart with a lovely smile , he even wore a tie . They 'd never been to Blackpool , last year they 'd been to Spain
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
No . it could be , I mean i if she 's if she 's interested in it . Well apparently she said stands her in good stead because They , they left here erm about half past eight , twenty to nine and they got to about half way they had n't been gone twenty minutes and I thought , oh she 's left her photographs , she had to get four passport photographs and she 'd left them here and I thought we 'd send them , send them to her and she did n't like them you see , but she 'd have them . So I phoned Derek on the car phone and erm he says oh we 'll get some taken elsewhere .
Idiom: pull a face (used idiomatically: yes)
He said he was cross with you because you keep calling him Mr Vass.’ ‘ Did he , by golly?’ Lisa pulled a face . ‘ And where did you say he was taking you now ? Down to the seashore to look for mussels?’
Idiom: second nature (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Leave go , Will — if th'want th'money.’ She tried lifting her skirt to fish under it for the pocket hanging over her petticoat . The lie to Will had been second nature . She did n't want him to know all her secrets . ‘ That 's it … kick un …
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
Too bad if you missed the bus George Campbell THE offer for shares in long distance coach giant National Express is twice over-subscribed and a premium is on the cards when dealings start next Thursday . Applications for 250 shares will be satisfied in full and anyone asking for 500 gets 75% , ie 375 shares . Those who wanted more than 500 have been scaled down , as the table illustrates .
Idiom: all and sundry (used idiomatically: yes)
Peter Woodifield talks to Bell Lawrie White 's Derek McIntosh following the merger with Brewin Dolphin . Not many people in the financial world , apart , oddly enough , from chartered accountants , can say they have worked for five different companies and yet remained where they started off . Derek McIntosh , the chief executive of Bell Lawrie White but still known to all and sundry as plain Bell Lawrie , is one such person . He joined Bell Cowan in 1964 , which was the driving force behind the merger in 1975 that eventually produced Bell Lawrie , a firm which can trace its roots back to 1815 . His move into stockbroking at the age of 21 followed two years ' training to be a chartered accountant which by his own admission he did n't enjoy .
Idiom: on someone's mind (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Sex?’ she whispered . ‘ That at least would be human,’ he growled . ‘ And your suggestion tells me what 's on your mind at the moment.’ He gave a cynical laugh at the blush which deepened the colour in her cheeks . ‘ It 's on mine , too,’ he said huskily .
Idiom: in the bag (used idiomatically: yes)
After two days reluctantly fishing in Wexford Harbour , on the estuary of the River Slaney , the flotilla sneaked out to the Saltees Island as the winds dropped . This was the real sport and the Moreton pair , fishing from their own boat ' Brenda Lee , ' produced a fine performance to hook 11 different species and a £ 500 prize . Included in the catch bag were coalfish , cod , dab , dogfish , ling , plaice , pollack , pouting , launce and a ballan wrasse . Brothers Peter and Dave Grundy from Willaston should rename their boat ' Mr Cool ' after winning the first day and taking a major prize on the second day at Wexford Harbour . Five target fish were nominated for the second day as the anglers struggled to overcome persistent torrential rain and buffeting winds .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
The baby was being held in her mother 's arms when the rocket careered towards them at the family 's home . Ambulance spokesman Richard Oswick said the girl 's father had been lighting the fireworks at the back of the house in Blisworth Street , Seaforth . ‘ They were doing everything by the book . ‘ One firework somehow went wrong and exploded and a fragment hit the baby . ‘ The girl fortunately suffered only a very small burn on her forehead , but it could have been an awful lot worse.’
Idiom: see the light of day (used idiomatically: yes)
The PowerPC , says Slater , will not turn too many heads in the desktop arena , however , he believes the Apple contingent will be its guiding star ‘ it wo n't be in the SuperSparc league , but on the matter of price alone it will definitely make an impact’ . DAY OF DESTINY : ROEL REWRITES THE RULES Unix System V Release 4.2 — now the official name for Destiny — the desktop version of Unix from Unix System Laboratories Inc — finally saw the light of day at a full - dress industry event in San Francisco last week . What emerged , aside from the technology , which has been widely previewed ( summary inside ) , was a seminal move by USL president Roel Pieper to unify the industry around a desktop Unix to challenge Microsoft Corp NT — threatening to sweep the boards when it finally arrives . As such , it was an impressive effort , marred only by the glaring absence of Sun Microsystems Inc ( about to launch its own competitive SVR4 Solaris operating system this Tuesday ) , and the Santa Cruz Operation Inc , whose leadership position is severely threatened by Destiny 's imminent arrival .
Idiom: in business (used idiomatically: no)
' Never has there been so great a need for the talented people universities can provide and nurture , ' he says . ' The rapidity of technological advance , the globalisation of markets and the information revolution are combining to transform industry and commerce . ' ' In this new environment business requires many more highly qualified people whose skills and abilities play a major part in determining competitive advantage . ' Awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering by the University in 1983 he will confer Honorary Degrees , following his installation in the Great Hall , on the highly acclaimed concert pianist John Briggs ; Peter Flesher , Managing Director of Allied Colloids ; Sir Gordon Jones , Chairman of Yorkshire Water and Frank Mumby , former Senior Lecturer in Music at Leeds University and piano tutor to Sir Trevor . The choice reflects Sir Trevor 's interests in business and the arts .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
A Japanese plan to invest TT$37,000,000 in a bagasse processing plant was successfully completed after the coup , and cruise ships once again began arriving after order had been restored . The 1991 budget [ see above ] , with its emphasis on public sector expenditure , clearly showed that the government was trying to ease the social problems caused by the demands of the IMF and World Bank aid packages [ see p. 37820 ] . In the long run , however , ministers doubted whether the country could meet its present commitments to these organizations in the light of the events of July - August . Trinidad and Tobago received a great deal of international support in its efforts to deal with the July coup attempt . The CARICOM heads of government meeting held at the same time issued an " unequivocal condemnation " of the events in Port of Spain and 300 troops from CARICOM states were flown to the island on Aug. 3 as a " precautionary move " to protect oil installations [ see p. 37648 ] .
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: no)
This morning at Evesham , 36 hours after the shooting , a carpenter from Pershore , Duncan Gilchrist , who 's 36 , appeared in court accused of murdering Mrs Haynes . The court was told that Gilchrist was arrested at a house in Pershore after he himself had telephoned the police . Gilchrist , who had appeared in the dock casually dressed in jeans and a striped open necked shirt , will appear at Evesham court again next Wednesday . While the inquiry into the crash which killed nine airmen from RAF Lyneham continues , low - level flying missions from the base carry on as before . In the latest training exercise , aircrews with six months experience of the Hercules have been practising cargo drops from just two hundred and fifty feet .
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
Er , good morning , cou could you put me through to please ? Do you remember I phoned you a week or two ago about some books I wanted ? Now , they have n't come yet , so erm presumably they 're in the pipeline are they ?
Idiom: break new ground (used idiomatically: yes)
Despite the absence of great schools of rhetoric , something of the literary culture of Sidonius had survived in the continuing tradition of letter - writing . Although Gregory himself left no works within this tradition , he was able to employ tricks of style when it suited him . In one respect , however , Gregory does appear to have broken new ground . By deciding to write history he embarked on a task which other Gallo - Romans had avoided , it seems , for over a century . Admittedly two Gallic chronicles survive from the fifth century , and the Chronicle of Gregory 's own contemporary Marius of Avenches is a text of utmost importance with regard to the territories once ruled by the Burgundian kings .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
To break up clods , aerate the topsoil , and create the beginnings of a crumb structure , a semi - digger or digger plough is preferable . It has a shorter , more abrupt mould - board , which breaks the furrow but does not bury rubbish so cleanly . Ridging ploughs , with double ( left and right ) mould - boards , are used to set up ridges for potatoes and roots . They vary in size from hand - operated garden tools to three - bodied tractor - mounted implements . Cultivators
Idiom: take it easy (used idiomatically: yes)
He looked terrible.’ Jon 's agent , Philip Ettinger , said : ‘ He is quite comfortable . ‘ But he 's going to have to take it easy for a couple of days.’ RESTING : Pertwee Loo , what a scorcher for mum
Idiom: go halves (used idiomatically: yes)
He grunted and turned away . " Just make sure it 's a boy , then I 'll tell you if I 'm pleased . " Having been virtually blackmailed into going halves with Sam , Harry deeply resented his partner 's share , and was continually seeking ways to score points off him . It was as if he were still competing for Martha : every return to harbour became a race between his ketch and Sam 's ; every catch had to be compared for weight and quality , and every new little luxury Harry purchased for himself or his wife had to be announced that evening in the Russell alehouse as further proof of his superiority . Sam , being an even - tempered chap who did n't have the same need to brag as Harry , took it all in good part .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Cobalt said : ‘ He says not . He found out himself because he read the note Barbara asked him to deliver to you . It sounds as though Maurin was paying him to keep Barbara there and she was paying him to run errands — deliver the note to you and the photograph to Nice Matin — and to turn a blind eye when she went out.’ ‘ All for the usual reason — he needed the money.’ Cobalt said wryly : ‘ Yes , and he only told me about it because I paid him.’