Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: at daggers drawn (used idiomatically: yes)
On her way back she was in such a state of euphoria that , in order to collect her thoughts , she pulled into the service road opposite the antique shop and sat for a few minutes . As she stared unseeingly ahead , her mind went back to that first meeting with Robert , and a pang of regret shot through her . The prospect of an interesting friendship had been destroyed and now they were at daggers drawn . If only … but she pulled herself sternly out of such wishful thinking and prepared to continue her journey . She was obliged to wait a few minutes while a Land Rover was being manoeuvred into the empty space beside her and then , with a start , she saw the driver .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
Whether this is a true story or not … the people of Tetbury will have to go further than the town 's only bookshop for a copy . Local traders complain the Wales 's were once a familiar sight but have been hounded off the streets by pressmen . Now many are appaled by the book 's publication Published today the book has arrived on the shelves of Gloucester shops . It may not be there for long
Idiom: hands down (used idiomatically: no)
Its instinct is to root itself in truth , to earth itself in reality , and it is this which distinguishes faith from fantasy , the object of faith from a figment of the imagination . In those places where there is a delay in substantiation , faith is prepared to wait for a long time at the bar of history . But the verdict it looks for is always the judgement of truth , the verdict handed down by reality . Luke writes of the natural hesitancy of the Jewish believers over the unprecedented inclusion of Gentiles in the early church . But he points out that what decided the issue was Peter 's laying the irrefutable facts of the matter before them so that'when they heard this their doubts were silenced ' .
Idiom: call someone's bluff (used idiomatically: yes)
She had no idea how he knew Kattina was in police custody , or that she had agreed to take over the job . However , he had come to make it clear that he wanted to continue the arrangement he 'd had with Kattina . She could have called his bluff and told him to drop dead , but there was just a chance he might ditch her : and then all that spade work would be for nothing . He leered at her . ‘ I 've got a couple of hours to spare this afternoon .
Idiom: up to no good (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Her things were all good - quality,’ said Clarissa stiffly , turning to talk to someone more civilized . Camille , who had sneaked in unseen to borrow the garlic - crusher , overheard this exchange and smiled . She could n't stand Clarissa who , in the past , had quite often perceived it as her duty to inform Scarlet that her daughter , in one way or another , had been up to no good . The door bell rang again and Camille hid in the downstairs lavatory until she could make her getaway . When she heard the voice of Sam 's mother she realized for the first time that it was more than likely that her own mother would , during the course of the evening , make some reference to the dinner - party which , she had been led to believe , was taking place in Pam 's house .
Idiom: claim to fame (used idiomatically: yes)
It is the world 's leading exporter of false teeth . And it gained some notoriety for obduracy on female sufferance while the rest of the developed world was gradually seeing sense . And Liechtenstein 's chief musical claim to fame is that its capital , Vaduz , was the birthplace of Josef Rheinberger ( 1831–1901 ) , a fairly prolific composer even by the standards of his day . He is remembered chiefly for his series of twenty Organ Sonatas , but there is much more besides ; a substantial corpus of choral music , including three Requiems and no fewer than twelve Masses , two operas , a Symphony , symphonic poem , two Concertos for Organ ( once upon a time available from E. Power Biggs on a CBS LP ) and one for Piano — and a fair amount of chamber music , sixteen opus numbers in all , of which this Thorofon CD ( the least of seven ) rounds off a complete recording . I have a suspicion , too , that we ow something else to Rheinberger : his Eighth Organ Sonata in E minor , appeared in 1882 , two years before Brahms 's Fourth Symphony ( also in E minor ) .
Idiom: get stuck in (used idiomatically: yes)
Either way , though , there was a belligerency about it , with dials that gazed at her like eyes ; mean , shifty eyes , warning her to beware . ‘ All right , Bainbridge . Get your jacket off and get stuck in ! , Reluctantly Lucinda did as she was ordered , then with cold , clumsy fingers she began to roll up her sleeves . It was all too awful .
Idiom: in the club (used idiomatically: yes)
As results get worse , I still manage to bluff the board into believing I have a long - term strategy that will see us pulling away from the bottom within weeks . I do n't have a plan , all I have is a well thumbed copy of The Alex Ferguson Book of Footballing Euphemisms . Rumours continue in the supporters ' club , and the Trevor Howard Theme Bar of the Duck and Forceps , that the Singh brothers have earmarked ' The Tip ' for re - development . Personally I think it is a load of rubbish . Who would want to build on that bog ?
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
" I " was something very real , the only real thing about my present state , and all the conscious activity connected with my body was centred on the " I " . From that moment onwards the " I " or Self focussed attention on itself by a powerful fascination . Fear of death had vanished once and for all . For St Francis there were a number of decisive moments , such as when he saw the leper . He dismounted from his horse and embraced the leper even though the thought of doing so was so repulsive to him .
Idiom: out of order (used idiomatically: yes)
According to council estimates , it would now cost £ 21.3 million to complete the scheme . The report singled out Mr Gilbert for criticism . But when it was discussed by councillors , a move to censure him was ruled out of order by the convener , Jackie Tait . Councillor Tait has now been handed a letter which expresses concern over Mr Gilbert 's dual role . It adds : ‘ It is felt following the findings of the Accounts Commission that this role should be fully examined.’
Idiom: have someone's number (used idiomatically: no)
. Can I may a couple of queries Mr Chairman ? Erm I have said all erm conservation processes have been out it is know as a sham , because they have their numbers quite determing of course what this intention er that proper consultation so this time round . I mean that 's how we get a how much .
Idiom: break the ice (used idiomatically: no)
Not all the crew was impressed with the wild beauty however , although Dave Scadding , my number one really fell in love with Scotland , so much so that he applied for a transfer to Kirkwall on our return to Southampton . In fact , before the end of our patrol he heard that his application had been successful . We found plenty of interest in the area but not many Klondykers and somewhat thankfully broke the ice through the Caledonian Canal to return via the East Coast to Southampton for Christmas . To dwell on the Caledonian Canal for a moment , this was my first of many passages through which is for me the most beautiful of all the canals — the ultimate in inland waterways , so I had been looking forward to it immensely . After locking into the Corpach sea basin the previous day we nosed into the narrow canal leading to Neptune 's staircase towards a spectacular sunrise somewhere over the summit of Ben Nevis , a crackling of thin ice at our bows and a thick rim of white frost on the teak gunwhales .
Idiom: at a pinch (used idiomatically: yes)
The wood contains sufficient natural oil to start the fire well . Once kindled , stroking the fire can be a work of art . A large back - log is necessary ; it should be heavy hardwood — fresh - cut green stuff will do at a pinch — and this acts as a reflector . Holly is the best , and a good log will burn for two days ; a really good green one will last for several days . The morning fire should be re - kindled from the back - log of the previous day : a smart blow with the poker to break off its embers , small kindling on top of these , a puff with the bellows or breath and she is away .
Idiom: in the final analysis (used idiomatically: no)
As one manager expressed it : ‘ Managers appear to turn up at 9.00 and leave at 4.30 , but they take their problems home with them.’ Man - management is a central concept of the Military Model . As in the services , it is assumed that the ‘ man’ will trust his senior managers because , in the final analysis , they have to be trusted as they are the only ones to hold the total picture of the situation of the company . But the officer / manager should not trust the ‘ man’ unless it has been demonstrated , such as through promotion , that he is willing to take on responsibility . It is not expected that the ‘ man’ will question his orders except to have points explicated .
Idiom: tie the knot (used idiomatically: yes)
A lot of people , particularly on the West Coast of America , get so many facelifts that the dimple on their chin is actually their navel.’ The personal tragedy that befalls Gibson 's character in ‘ Forever Young’ is that he loses his childhood sweetheart in an accident before he has plucked up the courage to propose marriage . Did Gibson find a similar lump in his throat when the time came to tie the knot ? ‘ Yes , it 's a hard thing to do . It may not seem as hard nowadays , because people know that it 's easy to get out of .
Idiom: dead wood (used idiomatically: no)
Many of the wardens had the right to take ' cablish ' or windfallen wood . In Cannock Forest the warden might take ten oaks from those blown down in the hays of Alrewas , Hopwas and Gailey , and in ' the wood called Hockley ' . In Rutland Forest he had ' dead and dry wood which can be collected in the demesne woods of the lord King with the hand alone , without any iron instrument . In Inglewood Forest he took : all dead wood standing and fallen , all dry wood and barren trees , stumps , twigs and bark ( of trees cut down ) , wood of alders and willows , and all cablish and branches … except in the hay of Plumpton .
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: yes)
Bram Stoker 's Dracula THEY rolled out the blood - red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of Bram Stoker 's Dracula . Among the stars , mostly clad in graveyard black , who dutifully stepped along it , was Sadie Frost , wife of Spandau Ballet star Gary Kemp . She plays loose , luscious Lucy in the movie — and sported a neckline that left plenty of scope for the vampire 's kiss . Britain 's Gary Oldman , who plays the evil Count , flashed a jugular - red ribbon and the witty quip : ' What a bleedin ' night . '
Idiom: spill the beans (used idiomatically: yes)
And the BBC Good Food Show is giving away 50 pairs of free tickets in a simple TODAY competition . For details , see below . The star line up at Birmingham 's National Exhibition Centre includes TV chefs Michel Roux and Michael Barry who will spill the beans along with Lloyd Grossman , Prue Leith , Glynn Christian , Ken Hom , Josceline Dimbleby and more . The BBC Radio Two Roadshow and the Gloria Hunniford Show will broadcast live from the exhibition , which runs from Thursday November 12 to Sunday November 15 , between 11 am and 6 pm . More than 300 firms are taking part in the giant event .
Idiom: no man's land (used idiomatically: yes)
Charlie strolled on up to the front like some visiting tourist who was not involved in a war . He listened to the few men who had survived for more than a few weeks and talked of ‘ Blighty’ and prayed only for a ‘ cushy wound’so they could be moved to the nearest hospital tent and , if they were among the lucky ones , eventually be sent home to England . As the stray bullets whistled across no - man 's - land , Charlie fell on his knees and crawled back to the reserve trenches , to brief his section on what they might expect once they were pushed forward another hundred yards . The trenches , he told his men , stretched from horizon to horizon and at any one time could be occupied by ten thousand troops . In front of them , about twenty yards away , he had seen a barbed - wire fence some three feet high which an old corporal told him had already cost a thousand lives of those who had done nothing more than erect it .
Idiom: nine times out of ten (used idiomatically: yes)
Chr Chr Chris . Why did he cry ? He said on the one hand he was agreeing with you , right that i it does n't matter how good a cyclist you are it 's the fucking car drivers , nine times out of ten , that cause the accidents on and then , on the other hand he was saying but I do n't see I I ca n't se ever see myself coming off you know , he 's fucking stupid ! I bet i , I mean I bet he 's the sort of cyclist and car driver that gives the rest of us a fucking bad name ! I if you drive along and a along with the attitude I 'm alright , everybody else , fuck them !
Idiom: go places (used idiomatically: yes)
Aye . And then I do n't know where he went after of course . I went different places . I landed in the end me , on the railway . Bangor here .
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
Shoppers were already milling around , for the centre opened at nine in the morning and closed at nine at night , when late shoppers had to be shooed out like errant sheep . Mr Coary gave me some enormous sheets of paper and I began to draw . As a small boy , I devised my own set of cartoon animals , and they now stood me in good stead . So I drew them one by one —— Skippetty Rabbit , his wife Gillian , Brownie the Bear , Prowler the Wolf , Fido the Pup , Sly Fox , Piney Cone the Pine Marten , Longtail and Short Tail the Mice , and Bill Mouse with his wife Sue . Other characters — swordfish , manatees , king penguins and Canada geese — had no names that I could remember .
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
I can not reply on behalf of the politician , but since I come into contact with citizens from different walks of life I can mention some of the anxieties , expectations and hopes which suggest certain answers .
Idiom: break the ice (used idiomatically: yes)
Amazing ‘ A few years ago some Chelsea fans got on Paul Canoville 's back because he was black . People like me and Frank Sinclair really owe it to ‘ Caners ’ because he broke the ice for us . ‘ In fact , the thing I enjoy most about being in the side is experiencing our amazing support . Our fans are the loudest away fans in the League . ’
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
Gotz , ringing the chairman 's bell : " Silence , or I 'll have you put out ! "
Idiom: in business (used idiomatically: yes)
I 've never possessed any business acumen . That 's in sharp contrast to brother Gerald . He was always better than me academically , and , as it turned out , in business . But he could n't see any opening locally to take up farming on his own . So in 1948 he went to Australia on a government - sponsored scheme , known as " Big Brother " .
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
The range of objectives to be met , and potential opponents , are narrower and this time the ground has already been well and truly broken by a predecessor . While he spent the first month of his new appointment easing himself in and still nipping up to Edinburgh to round off one or two NHS tasks from London ( where he kept his home and from which he was commuting during his health job ) , many of the key decisions affecting the telecommunications industry over the next year or so have already been taken , so the learning curve will not have to be so dramatics last time . He will , however , have to start defending them and other decisions still in the pipeline . In which case he will have use for that thick skin very soon . PERSONAL FINANCE
Idiom: on a roll (used idiomatically: yes)
But the user of Papworth must be able to blazon . The Oxford Guide to Heraldry ( Oxford 1988 ) , by Thomas Woodcock and John M. Robinson , is a welcome , lavishly illustrated , new text . Anglo - Norman Armory ( Vols I & II ) by Cecil Humphery - Smith ( Canterbury 1978 ) is of value to the researcher needing assistance in identifying arms on early rolls . The volumes are not especially easy to use , however , and more detailed and accessible information is contained in two works published in 1950 and 1967 by the Society of Antiquaries of London : A Catalogue of English Medieval Rolls of Arms by Sir Anthony Wagner , and Rolls of Arms — Henry III edited by T.D. Tremlett and Hugh Stanford London , with additions by Wagner .
Idiom: run the gauntlet (used idiomatically: yes)
She 'd blanked herself off , not caring about anything , barely participating in the life around her . She 'd barely thanked the villagers , the shopkeeper , for their kindness and support . Had barely spoken to them , preferring to do her shopping in Norwich rather than run the gauntlet of village gossips in the local store . How much time do you need ? he 'd asked . How much indeed ?
Idiom: give someone pause (used idiomatically: yes)
This titanic fortress guards the approach to the Emerald Gate , the first sea - gate of Lothern . Any attackers approaching the Emerald Gate can easily be caught in a crossfire between the great war - engines in the Glittering Tower and those on the Gate . The sight of these great bastions gives any would - be attacker just pause for thought . Guided by an Elf pilot the ship then passes through the Emerald Gate , a great fortified arch filled with war machines and the cloaked spearmen and archers of the Lothern Sea Guard . Two gigantic valves of carved bronze set with monstrous emeralds bar the way but as the ship approaches they smoothly swing back through the churning waters to reveal the Straits of Lothern .
Idiom: on the rocks (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ There 's still plenty to learn about them,’ he said . TYING THE KNOT Sue 's marriage is on the rocks ROD CHAYTOR GETTING hitched was sheer bliss for Nigel Longmore and Susan Lansley .
Idiom: joined at the hip (used idiomatically: no)
Of course this kind of thoughtful extension is alien to most Highland hotel owners . Their mission in life appears to be competing with one another in a race to remould their ancient and historic rural buildings into approximations of Birmingham town centre . If only such offenders were punished by having a Radio One DJ surgically joined to them at the hip , perhaps they would understand the crime of incongruous and pig - ugly extensions . It 's a stroke of great fortune that the Cluanie Inn 's proprietors are more enlightened , since the building dominates the eastern end of the glen . As you wander along the ridge , it 's a long time before you lose sight of its neat white contours , and if you take a strong pair of binoculars on your walk , you can keep an eye on how the housemaid is turning your bed down .
Idiom: on the horn (used idiomatically: no)
Admittedly it makes a change from Stratocasters , but whatever happened to originality ? → If you took a dozen sheets of clear cellophane , drew around a dozen different guitar designs , including Strat , PRS , Ibanez , Jackson and various others , then laid them on top of one another , you 'd be surprised at how little difference there actually is between them . A quarter of an inch in the waist here and a few millimetres on a horn there is often the extent of it . But if manufacturers were to try too hard to come up with new ideas we 'd be constantly faced with designs to rival Gibson 's semi - mythical Moderne and Burns ' Flyte in the grossness stakes . But apart from that , some people like bound Teles while others prefer the plain version , so small changes can often make large differences to our choice of instrument .
Idiom: take someone for a ride (used idiomatically: yes)
Its bluish - black eyes seemed to focus on her for the first time . It had learnt something . They took the baby for rides in the pram , to the shops , and up to the tiny park with its three or four flowerbeds and margin of trees . Cold winds knifed at them but the baby was snug in its portable bed , the blue and pink rabbits bobbling between its face and the real world . ' Lucky she was n't born on Christmas day , ' said Emma .
Idiom: slip through the net (used idiomatically: yes)
The Empire , a loose alliance of city - states and provinces owing allegiance to its Emperor , and the kingdom of Bretonnia . Beyond the Old World was the northern realm of Norsca , home of the ferocious Norse raiders . Norse longships had long troubled the coast of Ulthuan , slipping through the net of Elf warships . Bel - Hathor called a convocation of all the realm 's greatest mages and instructed them to guard Ulthuan 's eastern approaches . After three decades of preparation the magicians enshrouded the island 's approaches in a maze of spells , illusions and treacherous shifting shoals and mists .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
The truth of what is presented here will best be proven by those who have already made part of this a reality in their lives . The will to become this type is in the grasp of a beggar or a prince ; neither needs riches to achieve this nobility of soul . At this stage , thoughts will no doubt come to mind which are in fact untrue . You may think , for example , that this type does not exist and that it is inaccessible , not human , and that there is no such person as this , that it is utopian . But now take a closer look and with a pencil tick the qualities that are already a part of you and you will be pleasantly surprised .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
They were n't distant sounds now . They were very close . He turned his head , and saw a human foot a few inches away . At the back of the gap there was a hole in the metal wall where some thick wires passed through . It was just big enough for Angalo and Masklin , and big enough for a terrified Gurder with the two of them pulling on his arms .
Idiom: put the boot in (used idiomatically: no)
A canopy fills space between kitchen units . A chimney fascia fits over an island unit or covers an existing chimney . PUTTING THE BOOT IN Recycle your worn - out Wellingtons at a ' Welly Circus ' . Look out for the posters and the bright yellow ' banks ' touring the country , or call 0606–592 041 for details .
Idiom: across the board (used idiomatically: no)
I do n't think capital not the way the average them that work . Better to be in philosophy than have the facilities which has greatly benefited the charge payers and the people who think right across the board . Right across the board . I I mean , I find it , I find it quite amusing when some of the er labour people their services . I travelled the country well , I 've been in other authorities both labour controlled , been in to schools , been in old peoples homes , erm seen their roads , or driven over their roads , and I can assure you , that er in Lincolnshire .
Idiom: save face (used idiomatically: yes)
Perhaps it is not strong enough for you ? Englishmen , I know , always like their tea very strong.’ ‘ I 'm sorry,’ I said , wondering how I could save face , ‘ I suddenly do n't feel very well.’ He jumped up . ‘ You are not wounded , I hope ?
Idiom: good riddance (used idiomatically: yes)
McAllister wanted to go in and do something , anything , to stop such a harpy from hurting him . She knew that he would be hurt even though she hoped that he had stopped loving such an undeserving , self - serving shrew , because anyone would be hurt by such a scene . Once the outer door had banged shut , Matey said , violently for her , ' Good riddance to bad rubbish ! Thank God she 's gone , ' and the unwonted strength of her language betrayed the depth of her feelings . ' She hurt him dreadfully when he came home from Africa , crippled and his career in the army over , just when he needed her loving support the most , and now she has the gall to chase him again , when I hoped and prayed that he had finally recovered from her brutal treatment of him . '