Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
At the end of 2010 , Erdoğan was the ( last ) recipient of a human - rights prize granted by Libya ’s Col . Muammar ~ el - Qaddafi . Turkey has also tried , desperately at times , to maintain good relations with Bashar ~ al - Assad ’s regime in Syria , despite the Syrian government ’s abominable behavior . Turkey ’s position was , to say the least , perceived badly by the “ Arab street . ” A major reason for Turkey ’s tougher position towards Israel , one suspects , is Erdoğan ’s attempt to rebalance the country ’s regional image . Despite its difficulty in grasping the reality and depth of the Arab revolutionary process , Turkey is nonetheless more than ever a key player in the region .
Idiom: hear things (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . Cos they 're virtually the third best going anyway . I I 've heard quite good things . Sony . I could have got but they were seventy quid .
Idiom: follow in someone's footsteps (used idiomatically: yes)
When I was in Moscow , my grandmother was with me and everything that I wanted she was doing for me and I was a little girl who had everything . She 's not here now and I have to think about everything and do things on my own ' . Ekaterina Roubanova wants to follow in her mother 's footsteps . She wants to be a champion . She has the facilities , the coaching and the ambition .
Idiom: get stuck in (used idiomatically: yes)
Unless you drive everywhere at less than 40 mph and never sit in traffic jams , the record - breaking 112mpg is as achievable as drying flowers underwater . Nevertheless , watching the AX 's fuel gauge fall to empty is a long and tedious vigil . In ordinary conditions — a mix of blatting down the motorway , pootling down country roads , and getting stuck in London 's slow - motion hours ( when the rest of the country apparently rushes ) , fuel consumption in the mid - sixties is almost guaranteed . With care , and clear roads , that figure should greatly improve . Even when driven with the utmost contempt for economy , it is difficult to drop below 50mpg .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
His new friend does Keith 's back for him . The Brickie 's Arms on a Friday night . The disco beat bounces off the walls . The room is full of smoke : nicotine has become the ambient atmosphere . The Firm have come to cheer on their own , to celebrate , and to hold a Council of War .
Idiom: grind to a halt (used idiomatically: yes)
Britain 's economy is fragile , run for short - term profits . Few young people face a secure future . Individual greed dominates Thatcher 's ideology , but there are signs that her crusade is gradually grinding to a halt . Growing forces of opposition are challenging this government . Campaigns in defence of education , the health service , and against the poll tax hold the potential to unite large sections of the population .
Idiom: in the nick of time (used idiomatically: yes)
Did well . Agnew turned in towards Speedy Pearce gets it clear . Good defending in the nick of time but still Leicester press Greyson and again Greyson headed away by Laws to Ormanroyd . That was a chance . Well that was a glorious opportunity was n't it .
Idiom: prodigal son (used idiomatically: yes)
Being a black sheep . Well , it 's ra , it 's set the the the the topic , the study , starts off by talking about the parable er , of the er , the prodigal son , and the prodigal son was , in these terms , rescued . Because the prodigal son came back , and stopped being a black sheep , and became the accepted son , again . Well , we do n't Well , we do n't know .
Idiom: watch this space (used idiomatically: yes)
Truly a night to remember — indeed a night some ca n't remember ! Our thanks to all who attended and to the Sports and Social Committee for their hard work to make the night yet another success . Watch this space for up and coming events ! Dundalk Indoor Soccer Winners of the Dundalk Area Indoor Soccer competition held in the Muirhevnamor Sports Centre , Dundalk on 16th March 1993 were the Navan team , front , l. to r. : — Eamonn Kelly and Cathal Ryan .
Idiom: pound the pavement (used idiomatically: yes)
Paul says he 'd like to go on and run in 12 and 24 hour events . After that there are ever greater distances still to conquer in 48 hour , 6 day and the ultimate 1,000 mile races . When he 's not on the track competing , you will find Paul out pounding the pavements . As well as fine - tuning his own stamina and fitness by clocking up to 70 miles in training each week , Paul has been helping his 12-year - old daughter Sacha in her bid to compete her first four - mile London mini - marathon . If any readers would like more information about 100 km races contact the 100 km Association on 0322 ‘ 5828 .
Idiom: at the crossroads (used idiomatically: yes)
Our islands offer excellent all - round resources , particularly wind , wave , tidal and waste . But the as yet unanswered question remains — does the political and commercial will to change our ways exist ? The Government is at the crossroads . Do we go nuclear ? Do we carry on burning fossil fuels at rapid rates ?
Idiom: down the hatch (used idiomatically: yes)
She wondered if the cabin passengers caught the illnesses — especially dysentery — which were rife in the steerage . There was supposed to be a ship 's doctor aboard but no - one below decks had set eyes on him . They had been afloat only a few hours when a seaman shouted down the hatch . ‘ Everybody muster on deck for the roll call ! Quick about it , I ai n't got all day!’
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
conserve energy in the home The Government join the Thirty Per Cent Club and promise to reduce sulphur emissions by 30 per cent by 1993 offer tax incentives for all older models of cars to be fitted with a catalytic converter introduce flue gas desulphurisation or similar systems to more power stations .
Idiom: out and about (used idiomatically: yes)
We look forward to their continued success . Brewery trip Having been on the receiving end of a whole host of visits over the past couple of years , we decided it was our turn to get out and about and took advantage of a kind offer by local brewers , of Abingdon , for a guided tour of the brewery . Penrith The day was held for customers and staff who in groups of three , set off for an 18-hole Stableford competition ( I 'm told this will mean something to golfers ! )
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
His uncle Laban is a different proposition altogether . He is a trickster too . The presence of two tricksters on stage at one and the same time is bound to make for comedy , and so it does here . At one or two points the Jacob/ Laban stories ( chs . 29–31 ) approach bedroom farce .
Idiom: get it up (used idiomatically: no)
There had been laughter and one of the men had said , ‘ But you 're not far wrong.’ ‘ No,’ the former speaker had replied , ‘ I know I 'm not , because you do n't hear a voice like hers every day . And she 's got it up top , an ' all . There 's nobody readier with her tongue than our Lemon.’ Another voice had said , ‘ Then why do n't you have a go?’ and the answer had been a bit of a scuffle and more laughter .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
We would have to say , for example , that staff responsible for research students have a definite obligation to engage in research . The point appears to come through even more strongly in the role of the postgraduate student , particularly the research student . For that looks like a situation in which research and higher education are one and the same process . There we have a student who is in receipt of a higher education ( almost by definition ) and , at the same time , an individual who is engaged in research . This counter has point to it , but it is a one - sided reading of the situation .
Idiom: in light of (used idiomatically: yes)
If you discover that one of your key witnesses is going to give completely different evidence in the witness box , you must see them and find out why . It may be that they have discussed the matter with other witnesses , or even the opposition , and reconsidered their evidence . If the new version of events is what they are now prepared to say on oath , you must accept it and reassess your case in the light of that knowledge . If you decide not to call the witness the other side can still call them , but you can then cross - examine on the basis of the original statement to destroy their credibility . If anything like this occurs you may need to reinterview all the witnesses .
Idiom: sour grapes (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Meticulous , eh?’ said Klein . ‘ To the point of being mechanical.’ ‘ Now , now , no sour grapes.’ ‘ I mean it . It 's just too perfect for words .
Idiom: quick as a flash (used idiomatically: yes)
Albert was talking to them as they waited to leave , and the boy had a large rubber ball that he would insist on throwing about in the compartment . Charlotte , her eyes on Albert who was taking her attention , asked him rather half - heartedly to desist , but the boy threw the ball out of the window . It hit the platform fence and ran under the carriage ; as quick as a flash the boy darted past Charlotte and Albert and tried to look for it under the wheels . As Charlotte scrambled out of the carriage the boy was halfway under the carriage ; almost beside herself , Charlotte and Albert tried to haul him up . The driver had seen the green flag and had opened the regulator to ease forward , yelling at Albert to come on .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Sam hesitated but Rose grabbed hers at once . Then he could n't resist . Jackie pulled another one out of his pocket and all three munched avidly for several minutes . ' Got plenty more ! ' boasted the cripple when his mouth was clear . ' Nuts and cheese and a big hunk of cake . '
Idiom: bottom drawer (used idiomatically: yes)
Anybody seen the tin opener ? Yeah it 's in the bathroom drawer Bottom drawer It 's right in the bottom drawer Oh
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: no)
Spartak , who have clinched the Russian championship , enjoyed a 5 - 1 win at the weekend , with striker Dmitry Radchenko firing a hat - trick . Radchenko is clearly the dangerman in a team whose away exploits have earned them previous European qualification . Two seasons ago , they beat Sparta Prague 2 - 0 in Czechoslovakia , then drew 0 - 0 in Napoli on a European Cup run which took them to the semi - finals . In the quarter - finals , following a goalless home draw with Real Madrid , a double from Radchenko brought them a brilliant 3 - 1 win in the Bernabeu . It is true that players like Igor Shalimov , Aleksandr Mostovoy , Valery Shmarov and Vasily Kulkov have since moved to the west , but their 5 - 1 success away to Luxembourg 's Avenir Beggen this season shows Spartak can still threaten away from home .
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: no)
Reactions in the scientific community ranged from " slight novelty " to " looming apocalypse . " The former is more apt : Venter 's creation is evolutionary , not revolutionary . The goal of " synthetic biology , " as the field is known , is to move microbiology and cell biology closer to the approach of engineering , so that standardized parts can be mixed , matched , and assembled – just as off - the - shelf chassis , engines , transmissions , and so on can be combined to build a hot - rod . Achieving this goal could offer scientists unprecedented opportunities for innovation , and better enable them to craft bespoke microorganisms and plants that produce pharmaceuticals , clean up toxic wastes , and obtain ( or " fix " ) nitrogen from the air ( obviating the need for chemical fertilizers ) . During the past half - century , genetic engineers , using increasingly powerful and precise tools and resources , have achieved breakthroughs that are opening up new opportunities in a broad array of fields .
Idiom: pick up the pieces (used idiomatically: yes)
Cut off from his inspiration , he endlessly rehashes songs from his American era . On the other hand , he at last gains well - deserved riches and a life of comfort . Just as I was about to pick up the pieces of card once more , I stopped transfixed . A glorious Irish voice rang out in song , a manly tenor that equalled the most impassioned of blues . I ran across the road to the open door of another tiny studio , and saw a grizzle - bearded hobo - like man singing into a microphone , his mouth wide open and his eyes half closed .
Idiom: in a nutshell (used idiomatically: yes)
Deterring Arab ~ Democracy CAMBRIDGE – The lack of democracy in the Arab world results from an unholy alliance between Western interests and local autocrats , justified by what both sides claim to be the region 's " cultural specificity . " In a nutshell , it has been much easier for the West to do business in the post - colonial Middle ~ East with un - democratic regimes , which have found Western support and recognition useful in marginalizing local liberal and democratic forces , even as it paved the way for the rise of Islamist radicalization . Sticks as well as carrots have been used – by both sides – to maintain this alliance . For example , the Western emphasis on reform and democracy in recent years has been used more often than not as a threat , a typical message being : " Help us in Iraq or we will press for democracy and human ~ rights in your own country .
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Either way , his finger - tips became moist with sweat at the thought of producing the expression in front of the television cameras . There was also the question of what he was going to say . He began to note down suitable thoughts and epigrams on pieces of office copy - paper , not really with the intention of learning them off by heart , but with the idea that he might put them in his jacket pocket and touch them from time to time during the programme to give himself reassurance , knowing that if the worst really came to the worst he could take them out and refresh his memory . ‘ T prob of t multi - racial soc,’ he wrote , ‘ is in ess merely t mod versn of t time - hon prob of unitg tribes in nationhd.’ The real problem was to avoid the obvious .
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: no)
It is so easy to hold a good roach , deep of body and broad of shoulder in your hands and dismiss it without accurate weighing as’ two pounds’ . I feel sure some of the’ casual’big roach caught by pleasure anglers that appear in the angling press , when not hybrids , have been’guestimated’ . as if to illustrate this point I recently spoke to an angler on the Ribble and judging by the distance he held his hands apart —’ Like this they were!’— his recent catch of’two pounders’could easily have been around the 6 lb mark ! To catch a 2 lb roach whilst actually fishing for roach is the pinnacle of success . To catch one accidentally does n't have quite the same distinction or achievement , even so its capture should count .
Idiom: come full circle (used idiomatically: no)
The restaurant in which he used to take his lunch , Zur Opfelchammer , is still there . The picturesque Neumarkt is worth a visit before heading back to the Limmatquai . Cross the Bahnhof bridge , and you will have come full circle back to the starting point . On route you will have found plenty of cosy little cafes for a mid - morning coffee , cheerful pubs , and in the Bahnhofstrasse , confectionery shops whose wares are displayed with such imagination that it seems a sin to pass them by . To help visitors who are in Zurich for the first time , the tourist office has worked out four planned itineraries .
Idiom: big girl's blouse (used idiomatically: yes)
Colonel Munro ( Maurice Roevens ) claps Day - Lewis in irons for allegedly preaching sedition , the Brits surrender to the French and there is a horribly violent battle in which our stalwart bunch escape yet again . They are pursued by the ever - vengeful Wes Studi who blames the Colonel for massacring his family and literally rips his heart out in the heat of battle . Studi 's pack of baying , war - painted Hurons are the kind of scalping psychotics who would think Dances With Wolves is a big girl 's blouse . But it is Day - Lewis who dominates everything as he races around , long locks flowing and trusty musket in tow . I defy any woman not to think he is simply the most scrumptious thing on two legs .
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
The captain nodded his agreement , turned , ran to the back of the church and up the stone stairs to the safety of the tower . Charlie quickly followed him . They both took lookout positions on opposite sides of the roof , and although Charlie could still hear the sound of the battle , he was quite unable to make out who was getting the better of it on the other side of the forest . ‘ Where 's Prescott?’ asked Trentham after a few minutes had passed . ‘ Do n't know , sir,’ said Charlie .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
ring her up and have a word with her and she 'll probably send you a copy of the letter she sent she should have done that . Yes . And er yes have a word with Pat and so that you 're both writing along the same lines . Could we qualify that that we do not want them to go down School Lane ? Yeah but if I do n't see how go down Norwood Gardens otherwise .
Idiom: make hay (used idiomatically: yes)
He believed nothing should stand in the way of the security of the United States , and was less choosy than Congress about what means he took to preserve it . He was also aware that he was clever , and rather enjoyed trying to bamboozle journalists who thought they might score off him . Joseph Persico , in a telling biography based on a full understanding both of the man and of the processes through which he was trying to work , makes hay of Bob Woodward 's pretensions to understand either , and displays Casey as a patriot — for good , bad and both together . Eastern Europe 's writers Heroes ?
Idiom: out and about (used idiomatically: yes)
An Italian agent says : ‘ Giggs is a sensation here and you 'd have to rate a player of his age and ability at 10 million in our crazy market.’ Alex Ferguson has tied Giggs to a long contract and keeps him under his wing . And Giggs is , of course , often out and about with pal Darren , the gaffer 's son Clough is tops for Liverpool NIGEL CLOUGH is the player Liverpool are lining up as replacement for Dean Saunders , whom they have sold to Villa .
Idiom: call it a day (used idiomatically: yes)
But the fishing trip that hot night was something different and it was to frighten and distress the boys . They found their usual post at the pond and set up their gear ; it was hot and very humid , they were near the gated level crossing on the old trackbed . Nothing much doing at the pond , they had set the rods up and were wandering around , looking for frogs and newts , then they returned to their rods ; nothing stirred , so around 10 pm they decided to call it a day . They got their rods and landing nets together and set off for home . All of a sudden they heard the hum of a motorcycle coming towards them and they both saw a motorcycle being ridden towards the level crossing .
Idiom: you pays your money and you takes your choice (used idiomatically: yes)
There are a lot of people saying that Mike Martin Pipe is not the force he was etcetera but there 's been a change of policy down at and if anyone thinks that Pipe has lost his touch they 're talking twaddle . He 'll be back and he might be back at working men 's prices . You pay your money and you take your choice on the Mackeson and here J A Magrar in the Telegraph idea represents Mackeson value . He has some very harsh words for the Japanese about their ban on Frankie Detory saying it 's shortsighted and harsh in the extreme and we 'll all say yes to that . Er in the Star Brad 's a star .
Idiom: kicking and screaming (used idiomatically: no)
He pushed his food off the table and refused to eat even the cheesecake . Clare was mortified . She had so hoped that Josh would like David ‘ He s tired,’ she apologized , and took Josh off for his afternoon nap He kicked and screamed , furious that his mother 's attention was being distracted from himself . Darkness fell early , and it started to snow . After tea , Clare pulled the sitting - room curtains together but did n't switch on the light ; she preferred to watch the firelight flick shadows over the walls .
Idiom: cut loose (used idiomatically: yes)
Jerry Peel was pre - event favourite in this over-40s competition , but had to settle for third place behind Peter Black and Dave Barton after failing to read the last move . The women 's final was next on the agenda , taking in the biggest roof on the wall . This was to provide many exciting moments as the women cut loose on the lip of the overhang on huge jugs , with plenty of ‘ oohs and aahs’ from the crowd as the stronger challengers clipped and shook out footless . Three women flashed the route : Isabelle Patissier , Susi Good and Robyn Erbesfield , all three of whom had also topped out on the previous two routes . The stage was set for an exciting finale on a modified version of the men 's final .
Idiom: foot the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
A substantial amount of cash was recovered from the raid , and it 's possible brave Chris may be in line for a reward . Two men are tonight helping with police inquiries . An insurance company which is in financial trouble could leave poll tax payers to foot the bill for arson attacks on schools . Disabled drivers , too , are worried that they could be left without insurance cover by the problems at Municipal Mutual . Ian Maclaren reports .
Idiom: few and far between (used idiomatically: yes)
How do I sex them and will they breed ? Any other information would be welcome . A Aequidens rivulatus got its common name back in the days when medium - sized fish were few and far between and by the standards then it was a Terror of an aquarium fish . Compared with some we keep now it is quite peaceful ! It is a South American fish , but not from the areas where the water is soft and acid .
Idiom: see eye to eye (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Still — a very generous present,’ I murmured . ‘ Aye , it is that . My wife and I could never see eye to eye on the business of living . She 's all for the social whirl of Mayfair or Bond Street , while I like my peace and quiet . So I see her on leaves , and she gives me every so often a new MCC tie!’
Idiom: show someone the door (used idiomatically: yes)
One of the highlights of Armani 's recent dark and relatively joyless years since Galeotti 's death was the opening of the London Emporio on the Brompton Road three years ago . On this great day , when he cut the ribbon on a shop built to remind him of the Italian department stores of his childhood —‘they always had a restaurant , because part of the treat of shopping was lunching out’— he was so happy and relaxed that it was easy to swallow inhibitions and ask him whether he was n't bothered about being known , through the films he has chosen to dress , as the creator of designer violence . Instead of showing me the door , he roared with laughter : ‘ So what if I clothe gangsters on the screen ? The Mafia wear my clothes in real life ; it 's all good business!’ Indeed , among the more bizarre places to find an Armani are holes in the wall in the Sicilian hill villages around Corleone where unlaundered mafioso cash comes out at tea time every day in search of status - promoting glad rags — the same suits that turn up simultaneously in posh Paris bistros , Los Angeles lizard lounges and the boardrooms of the most respectable British banks .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
In the long - run this has consequences that in other places might provoke a pitying smile , but in Bavaria anyone seeking political success has to bow to these traditions .
Idiom: bits and bobs (used idiomatically: yes)
That 's right and I 'm very depressed . Yeah . Are keepi You are I mean obviously you are keeping yourself going cos you 're obviously getting out to come here and do bits and bobs but Well this is the first time I 've been Yeah .