Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: talk dirty (used idiomatically: yes)
We try to pretend that sex is n't so important , that we are just like everyone else , just as we sought to distance ourselves from books like The Milkman 's On His Way during the Section 28 debates . It did n't wash , and we lost . We can not tell our stories without talking dirty or without shocking or offending someone . So I think , like Ellen Willis , that ‘ it would be clearer and more logical simply to acknowledge that some sexual images are offensive and some are not.’ We should recognise that sexual imagery can challenge as much as uphold prevailing sexual orthodoxies and that the law has no place in deciding what is good and what is bad , because it will always get it wrong .
Idiom: to the hilt (used idiomatically: yes)
All around them the other coolies stared in disbelief at the sight of their tormentor so astonishingly struck down before their eyes ; then the floodwaters of their hatred burst some invisible dam , and several men dashed forward screaming incoherently to slash at the kneeling man 's head and shoulders with their coupe - coupes . He fell on his side under the onslaught , and one coolie wrenched the bone - handled knife from his helpless fingers . With a wild yell of triumph the Annamese dropped to his knees and plunged the knife to the hilt in the dying Corsican 's chest . The moment Duclos fell , his two young French assistants and the cai started instinctively towards him ; but seeing the electrifying force of spontaneous , hate - inspired rebellion sweeping through the crowd of five hundred coolies , they froze where they stood , their faces blanching with fear . The coolies sensed their fright instantly and in a moment forty or fifty of them were advancing menacingly on the little group of overseers , brandishing the implements they had used for so long to tend the rubber plantation under their ruthless tutelage .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: yes)
When Koresh himself came to Britain banned from New Bold he had to hold meetings in peoples homes . God in the flesh , do you know who I am ? God in the flesh . New Bold college could n't prevent its students from going along and some young Seventh Day Adventists were predisposed to be receptive . After all Koresh 's apocalyptic vision , his talk of the seven seals that only the lamb of God can unlock , sounded like refinements of what they already believed .
Idiom: weather the storm (used idiomatically: yes)
Is State Capitalism Winning ? CAMBRIDGE – In the age - old contest of economic - growth models , state capitalism has seemed to be gaining the upper hand in recent years . Avatars of liberal capitalism like the United ~ States and the United ~ Kingdom continued to perform anemically in 2012 , while many Asian countries , relying on various versions of dirigisme , have not only grown rapidly and steadily over the last several decades , but have also weathered recent economic storms with surprising grace . So , is it time to update the economics textbooks ? In fact , economics does not say that unfettered markets are better than state intervention or even state capitalism .
Idiom: pull a face (used idiomatically: yes)
Lunch was ready , Bodo , pressed to stay , was persuaded , two bottles of wine were opened , a good , warming goulash brought in , and then , as Herr Nordern rather ceremoniously raised his glass to offer a toast , the telephone rang . The whole family groaned , then burst out laughing . ‘ Leave it,’ Herr Nordern said as Erika moved to take the call , but , as usual , the phone was hard to resist and , pulling a face , Herr Nordern took the call himself . The line was surprisingly good , free from the usual squawks and clicks , and coming through , smooth , bland , was the voice of Uncle Karl . ‘ Hans ?
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
I am black an dread an luv — remember I am poor but rich , do n't mess — remember I made history — remember . Yu tried to shut me mouth — remember Yu studied me an filmed me — remember
Idiom: pick someone's brain (used idiomatically: no)
He flicked his cigarette ash rather messily towards the waste bin , there being no ashtray evident . Christina knew that this was because Stephen usually objected strongly to anyone smoking in his vicinity . Obviously he 'd decided it was worth putting up with the foul - smelling smoke for the sake of picking Michael 's experienced brain . ' So you decided to pioneer again ? ' Stephen prompted .
Idiom: over the counter (used idiomatically: yes)
Meat should not be eaten more than once a day ; and fish is increasingly thought of as healthier — oily fish is useful in the prevention of heart disease and arthritis — and you may feel it is worth substituting fish for meat as a main meal twice a week . Supplementing your diet As a supplement to a normal diet , there are multi - vitamins and vitamin - plus mineral tablets that can be bought over the counter at pharmacists and health food stores . These may be helpful when recovering from an illness or if you fear your normal diet is lacking . You can ask the pharmacist for advice about the one that would be best for you .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: yes)
But it seems likely that the importance of the plan in creating a ‘ growth climate’ diminished as the experience of rapid growth meant that business came to expect it anyway . This in itself , however , would be success of a sort . Even if the Plan 's effect on the level of accumulation was bound to diminish , it could still have significantly influenced its pattern . At least until the early 1970s , however , the government made no systematic attempt to shape the pattern of industry . The Fifth National Plan 's objective of greater concentration to achieve two or three dominant firms —‘national champions’— in each sector , for example , was entirely non - selective .
Idiom: all hell broke loose (used idiomatically: yes)
In the past , she had played hostess at dinner parties there . But only when Di ana was away . ‘ It is an open secret that they were seeing each other regularly until all hell broke loose back in the summer,’ said a source close to Camilla last night . ‘ But they were very clever at concealing it . Now , we expect the prince to be far less sensitive about their relationship.’
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
Kneeling in the pews they bent their heads to join Mr Drew in the Lord 's Prayer and sang that great Lutheran hymn . " All people that on earth do dwell " in a defiant way that is peculiar to the English , and to the people of the west country in particular . And then it was over , and they were coming out into the grey , windy day , the mothers trying not to look at the white - capped sea beyond the point , the boys suddenly gruff and silent now that the moment of parting was come . Ann thought it unseemly to kiss her husband in public , but she had no such reservations as far as her son was concerned , and hugged him tight , choking on her words as she whispered to him to take care of himself . " And say your prayers regular , Tristram , that the good Lord may bring you back safe to us , " she added before turning quickly away to leave him face to face with Jennifer .
Idiom: to the bone (used idiomatically: no)
it then takes away the acid from the joint . And can you see it will not cure rheumaticky knees , but it gets you rid of the acid for the time being . If you do n't get rid of acid you know what it does to even metal , if it sits on metal it eats through it , so you imagine what it does to your bones when it sits on them . And this is why with forms of arthritis you get deformity and you get n er b the joint wo n't , wo n't use . So can you see it is vital that all of you keep your circulation going right and a good idea is to start it in bed so that before you get out and put weight on your limbs And the same with the rest of your body get your circulation going , get the joints doing a bit of movement and before you get up and give them the added job of bearing your weight .
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
There may well be new instabilities . Even so , it would still be far cheaper to do what Europe had planned , before an upsurge of Euro - nationlism , and buy US F-15s and F-16s off the shelf rather than waste vast development costs which could be better deployed in the commercial sector . It may not be what Ferranti wants to hear . But for others in civil aviation , from BAA ( which has been looking at airport facilities in Budapest ) to carriers such as KLM and Interflug , which are anxious for the markets , it would be just the thing .
Idiom: behind closed doors (used idiomatically: yes)
Once an excavation finishes , the archaeologist is left with numerous written , drawn and photographic records in addition to a quantity of finds and environmental samples with which to establish a picture of the history and development of the excavated site . Post - excavation analysis turns these raw records into meaningful information . Carried out behind closed doors — in workrooms , laboratories and offices — it rarely gets a mention in the media despite the fact that excavations are often featured . In fact , depending on the size of the excavation and the range of finds , more people may be engaged in the post - excavation analysis than during the actual excavation ; and whatever the size of the site , the post - excavation analysis takes at least twice as long as the excavation itself . LEFT The recording and checking of written notes and scale drawings is an essential and time - consuming part of a excavation .
Idiom: down and out (used idiomatically: no)
Unfortunately , river dolphins and catfish inhabit the same river , and between 1950 and 1980 , about half the 100 or so baiji found dead had died from swallowing or being snagged by fish hooks . Even in areas where the use of nylon set-nets and ‘ rolling hooks ’ are officially prohibited , these practices are still in use and are responsible for many dolphin deaths each year . Others die from collisions with vessels travelling up and down the river , and from explosions carried out during river bank construction . The baiji , like the Indus River dolphin , is classified as among the most endangered cetacean species by IUCN . Its survival far into the next century is unlikely .
Idiom: hit the nail on the head (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah ? No . I 've been having some quite intelligent guesses but no one 's hit the nail on the head . This is the number of the site . cos each site has a number and could you have a guess at how many excavations ?
Idiom: free rein (used idiomatically: yes)
The truth will be revealed in time . The important thing to do is wait.’ With that , he hopped down from the rock , leaving its previous occupant free rein over the throng . ‘ Do n't listen to him,’ Witcher blustered . ‘ He 's mad.’
Idiom: go spare (used idiomatically: yes)
Where 's the ? Well I 'm off next week , Thursday we got an extra four packets at the time . That 's right , yeah , that 's what I say , they 're all going spare . The oth , it 's the other ones we 've . I know .
Idiom: in the pink (used idiomatically: yes)
I thought you would never come , ' she said as Claudia stepped into a scene of such chaos that it seemed an impossibility they would be ready on time . They were , with minutes to spare , and Claudia , looking at the assembled wedding party , knew her designs had worked . The three bridesmaids , in palest pink , made a picture that complemented the central figure of the bride . ' That dress is perfect on you , ' Myra breathed ecstatically . Claudia looked in the long mirror for the last time , and her breath caught in her throat ; that beautiful bride could n't be her .
Idiom: over the hill (used idiomatically: no)
Seven out of ten companies said absenteeism was concentrated on individuals within that group . The public sector has the worst record for absenteeism through sickness . Another survey found that many employers regard staff over the age of 45 as ‘ over the hill’ . The survey , by Industrial Relations Services in Equal Opportunities Review , looked at 4,000 job advertisements for evidence of age bias — and found that four out of five asked for applicants to be under 45 . Half gave age limits of 35 or under and in the private sector most gave age preferences .
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
Slamming the locker door shut , he started towards the saloon . Polly followed , devouring the tall , broad - shouldered figure with her eyes . ‘ I think,’ he half turned his head to speak over his shoulder , his voice a rasp , devoid of expression , ‘ I think it would be better if I put you ashore.’ He did n't meet her eyes . Polly 's blood turned to ice .
Idiom: long time no see (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Never better enough.’ Jane strolled over . ‘ long time no see , Lowell.’ He agreed it had been . Not seeing Jane , however , was no cause for regret ; she had none of the kindly qualities of her husband .
Idiom: play games (used idiomatically: no)
Two songs ' This Charming Man ' and ' Handsome Devil'were born out of these feelings as was his ( soon to be much publicised ) use of flowers . Suddenly , The Smiths had gained an image . Suddenly they were playing the game . Morrissey , in particular , found a second artistic release in his talent for dominating interviews . He made easy copy and journalists loved his accessibility .
Idiom: carry the day (used idiomatically: yes)
Managing his colleagues and steering them to a compromise between the Fund 's tough conditions for a loan and those on the Left who favoured a siege economy as an alternative to rescue by the international banking community obliged Callaghan to practise traditional Cabinet government in the classic mould . It took twenty - six separate Cabinet meetings to resolve the issue . Callaghan carried the day early in December 1976 without a single resignation . But it had been a very close - run thing . As one very senior official put it , ‘ The IMF was real Cabinet government but it was very unusual .
Idiom: sick and tired (used idiomatically: yes)
Look at me.’ ‘ Difficult to look anywhere else,’ Alex said . ‘ Thing is , I just got sick and tired of nine - to - fiving . Is this all there is to life , I asked myself.’ ‘ And?’
Idiom: crocodile tears (used idiomatically: yes)
Earlier , there were bitter exchanges when Labour 's Alun Michael ( Cardiff S and Penarth ) demanded to know why the Government had not built a single one of 65 secure units for juvenile offenders which had been promised two years ago . The junior health minister , Tim Yeo , retorted : ‘ Labour always has been soft on crime and always will be soft on crime . They are always ready to shed crocodile tears for the camera on behalf of victims , but their real and deep sympathy is always for the criminal.’ — PA Local power struggles threat
Idiom: stick to your guns (used idiomatically: yes)
Do not be intimidated or distracted Do not allow yourself to be intimidated . This may be easier said than done but if you have a clear idea of the purpose of the meeting and have prepared a thorough list of everything you want to know then you must stick to your guns and carry on relentlessly until you have worked your way through it . Do not worry about the person who is coming after you . Once you have started your own meeting you should concentrate solely on yourself and what you want and not be distracted .
Idiom: on edge (used idiomatically: yes)
The Best Investments KOLKATA – On the eastern edge of Kolkata , Dulu ~ Bibi , a 25 year old mother of four , worries about the cost of treating her two sick boys . Her husband earns 80 - 90 rupees ( $ 1.90 or € 1.40 ) a day . The family 's basic diet is low in the essential micronutrients that children need to thrive .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
Trade negotiations always look as if they were about to break down just before they succeed . December 's meeting showed conclusively that the Uruguay round can not be completed without a deal on agriculture . Behind the scenes both the Americans and the Europeans are working towards an agreement . Another straw the optimists grasp is that two trade disputes between the EC and the United States have been headed off . The $ 420 m a year that America has been getting to compensate it for the loss in sales of farm products to Spain and Portugal after they joined the Community was due to run out in 1990 .
Idiom: ring a bell (used idiomatically: yes)
Two blocks away from the house of her childhood it suddenly occurred to her that her mother might have left , that there might be strangers in the hallway , a different set of curtains hanging at the windows ; her father 's study might have been turned into a playroom for a new generation of North Oxford children , so different from herself in her prim Clark 's T-bar sandals that she would not be able to recognise her own infancy in theirs . It would be too humiliating to have to contact her mother through her publishers or her employers . How could one ring a bell on a house door in respectable places like this and say , ‘ Excuse me does my mother live here ? ’ That was the stuff of melodrama , and now she was back in Oxford she knew she was somewhere , somehow , still too middle-class , too much her father 's daughter , to want that .
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
He was proving himself to be not only an accurate witness to the times , but a respected one , too . There was one particular aspect to which all commentators drew their readers ' attention : his sensuality , referred to above . For those raised in the prudery of puritanism or the celibacy - conscious preoccupations of Catholicism this ran against the grain . They could not see how one so patently spiritual in his emphases , so biblical in his references ( to both ‘ Old’ and ‘ New’Testaments ) , could be so frank about his appreciation of female beauty and his corporeal appetites . But this is part of the witness he bears;celebrating love and sex and intimacy .
Idiom: two a penny (used idiomatically: no)
And has been imposed on old people of er Edinburgh and er . So the , they 're , the old people have been been done o out of a lot of money . This year in itself , the single person has been done out of two pound ninety pence and er after the er older ones that 's four pound odd . This year alone . So if you total it up , Be er again and first of all council being a , being a council , and they succeeded very well .
Idiom: go through the motions (used idiomatically: yes)
Critics could barely keep to the constitutional pretence that the monarch was above political error . For example , the monarch was not spared by the pseudonymous critic Junius , who has been described by one historian as ‘ perhaps the ablest and most devastating political commentator’ that England has ever produced ( Plumb , 1966 : 118 ) . At the start of one of his denunciations , Junius went through the motions of excepting the monarch from his attack : ‘ The doctrine inculcated by our laws , That the King can do no wrong , is admitted without reluctance’(1779 : 100 , emphasis in original ) . Despite this , Junius soon got down to the business of casting aspersions against the King 's character . Junius ended this particular outburst with a threat , which drew its force from the common knowledge that the Hanoverian dynasty had usurped the Stuarts .
Idiom: come in from the cold (used idiomatically: yes)
Will Syria Come in From the Cold ? ISTANBUL – Will the recent rapprochement between the United ~ States and Syria mark a new era in Syria 's international standing ? Syria can hope for two major changes following the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the US .
Idiom: off the hook (used idiomatically: yes)
McPherson 's lay - off found McCall with an unobstructed view of goal but the final attempt was too delicate and Verlinden saved easily . Brown and McCoist were next to threaten the Belgian goal in a game that swung from one end to the other . Verheyen twice had Rangers ' goal at his mercy but on both occasions let the Ibrox club off the hook . In the first instance he was guilty of carelessness ; in the second he exposed Gough 's lack of match fitness and the defender 's mistake put Verheyen through on Goram though he was unable to score . The finish was an apology for an attempt at goal , though the worry remained that missing the previous five games had left Gough seriously disadvantaged .
Idiom: take a bath (used idiomatically: yes)
Keep an after - sun soothing preparation handy . Cooling gels with aloe vera can do much to relieve discomfort . Folk recipes to try : take a lukewarm bath with two cups of cider vinegar or some bicarbonate of soda added . Or add a cup each of vinegar and cooking oil . Soak for 15 minutes , then pat yourself dry gently .
Idiom: fall short (used idiomatically: yes)
On coordination services , NT is far ahead of Unix thanks to Dynamic Data Linking and Object Linking and Embedding , for instance . On installation however , Unix is again ahead , and is at least the equal of NT in intra - family portability , an area in which Microsoft 's superiority would normally be assumed . NT has a slight edge over the average Unix on - line documentation but falls short of the best available and the introduction of the CD - ROM is a hurdle for the desktop crowd . Moving into the operating environment , Brown says NT 's suitability as a desktop environment depends on Microsoft 's ability to shrink current RAM and disk space requirement down to something reasonable . NT , it says , has bloated memory requirements with 16Mb needed for practical use .
Idiom: look on the bright side (used idiomatically: yes)
You have a point . I 'd better rethink our relationship.’ ‘ Now to look on the bright side of ffeatherstonehaugh 's , I 've a few more lines of Rochester for you : Poets and women have an equal right To hate the dull , who dead to all delight
Idiom: nine times out of ten (used idiomatically: yes)
I mean how many Ferrar , Ferrari 's end up in breakers ? Oh Yeah , nine times out of ten Who was that , who was nine times out of ten these
Idiom: make a pitch (used idiomatically: no)
He has yet to deliver his promised speech on the relationship between the party and unions , but he is thinking along similar lines to Tom Sawyer , Nupe 's deputy leader and a national executive member . In last week 's Tribune , Sawyer suggested that ballots of affiliated members in leadership contests might be made compulsory and that block votes could be split , although he expressed himself more cautiously than Gould intends to . John Prescott has made the clearest pitch for the left 's support by defending the ' old vision ' of socialism . There is no need to run to outside bodies such as an extended Plant Commission or Commission for Social Justice for new ideas , he argues ; strength can be found within the party . Prescott believes that the argument between Smith and Gould is largely technocratic .
Idiom: take the biscuit (used idiomatically: yes)
He was a different type of skater but he did plenty of modern lip stuff including backside smith stop to fakie , and much other to - fakie weirdness . No - one was quite sure whether they were meant to be in fancy dress but anyhow there were a couple decent Santa 's , a smith grinding policeman , and a ridiculous looking Dave ' Kowabunga - Mutant - Ninja - Turtle - Most - Unfortunately - named - clothing - company - of - the - century ' Davis , dressed in poncho and sombrero . Taking the biscuit though was Mr Andy Preston who donned a ridiculously extravagant full length [ right down over his board]Easter Island statue disguise and dropped in . After making it across the ramp once , unable to see where the hell he was going , he slammed like a sack of spuds . Wotta hero !