Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: force someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ What a mistake , but maybe you can put it right , otherwise you 'll have to eat alone,’ she finished sweetly . ‘ No , I think not … I rather hoped I would n't have to face you with this but thanks to your belief that I 'm somehow responsible for Eddie 's death you force my hand . Did you know your brother gambled , Kate?’ He gave one swift look at her horrified expression before continuing .
Idiom: at your fingertips (used idiomatically: yes)
PAGES 4 & 5 Tomorrow 's Technology … Today PAGES 6 & 7 More choice at your fingertips PAGES 8 & 9 The Saint & Greavsie Show PAGE 10 Stereo Television …
Idiom: lame duck (used idiomatically: yes)
That was the privilege of having the largest , most dynamic economy – and one that acted as a world creditor . No more . There is no small irony in the fact that on November 15 , America ’s lame duck president , the unilateralist George ~ W .~ Bush , is hosting a multilateral conference to discuss reshaping the global economic system . It also speaks to America ’s relative position that even the less - than - organized ministers of the European ~ Union acted more quickly to create a floor for the financial crisis than did the US president and congress . And it speaks volumes to the changing world that , as panic recedes and the wreckage is revealed , Asia in general and China in particular are emerging as clear winners .
Idiom: full speed ahead (used idiomatically: no)
As in the forward head , considerable use is made of varnished timber trim ; this will require wiping down after a shower . Under power and sail Handling under power is very simple and the yacht can be brought to a stop from full speed ahead within her own overall length . The engine box is well sound - insulated and the engine itself runs smoothly and quietly throughout its rev range . Furlex reefing and furling gear on the genoa and a fully battened mainsail which drops between lazyjacks into its cover using the Doyle Stack Pak system , takes all the hard work out of sail handling .
Idiom: go through the motions (used idiomatically: yes)
Struggle for Arena to find their form ONCE again , Arena failed to turn in the level of performance of which they are undoubtedly capable as they struggled to overcome a depleted but game Novas ' side 54–47 in the men 's division of the Mid - Essex Gravel League . It seems the Colchester team are in a phase of ‘ going through the motions’ and are certainly guilty of an unacceptable number of turnovers and missed shots . The game was slow and low scoring and after seven minutes of the first half , Arena had scored only four points to the visitors ' ten . Novas turned around 27–26 in front , but met a more solid defence and by the ninth minute had scored only five to Arena 's 15 .
Idiom: hold water (used idiomatically: yes)
The first , the stratum corneum — the topmost layer of the epidermis — is made up of bonded , interlocked , horny , dead cells , which form a barrier and are continuously being shed . These compact cells are surrounded by layers of inter - cellular membranes which are made of different lipids . These enable skin to hold water and give cohesion to the dead surface skin cells , providing a flat , luminous effect . New cells are born in the second or basal layer of skin , at the bottom of the epidermis . As they mature , they migrate to the skin surface — the skin renews itself about every 28 days .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
NICK CAIN went to Catania , in Sicily , to see the qualifying tournament for the finals in Scotland next year … Having come from a country afflicted by the worst drought in recent memory it should have come as no surprise that the Namibians were able to handle the Sicilian heat . After an exhausting schedule of two days of pool matches — the most tortuous ‘ trial by fire’ ever devised for a sevens tournament — Namibia had established themselves as firm favourites to claim top spot among the four qualifying berths up for grabs in Catania for Murrayfield , 1993 . They swatted aside every challenge that came their way with a direct , forceful brand of sevens based on impressive strength and fitness . This was underpinned by a dedication to the cause that could n't have been bettered by a pack of African Hunting Dogs .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
Sitting targets David Harrison FOOTBALL managers have asked the FA to take them out of the firing line of the terrace hate mobs . Dug - outs at some grounds have become chambers of horror , with visiting soccer bosses the sitting duck targets for verbal and , sometimes , physical abuse . The demand for action comes in a week when John Bond has been advised to stay away from his former club , Burnley , for Shrewsbury 's FA Cup tie this afternoon because of fears of reprisals from angry Turf Moor fans .
Idiom: cheek by jowl (used idiomatically: yes)
The House , as it was simply called , was a profitable little concern and it had been part of Agnes 's work since she had left school , six years ago , to see to the laundry , and with Maggie 's help , to its cleaning . On the whole , Agnes enjoyed looking after the little house . Although it stood cheek by jowl with the factory , it was a place apart , a business apart , and an interest apart . She had come to look forward to the intervals between tenants , for at such times she would sit at the bedroom window that overlooked the street , which sloped swiftly to the main thoroughfare ; and guided by the landmarks of St Dominic 's church and , beyond that , St Ann 's , she could look over the chimney pots and catch a glimpse of the river gleaming between the busy traffic on it . This was the only time she allowed herself away from the business of the shop or the house above it .
Idiom: man of god (used idiomatically: yes)
On the first night not a soul could be induced to enter it . ' This had been kept secret from Dickens by the chapel trustees . Beecher 's reputation as a preacher , let alone as a Man of God , was not universally accepted . When Lord Rosebery toured America in 1873 he went to Plymouth Church and was ' greatly disappointed ' . Beecher , he found , could not equal Spurgeon in oratorical powers and , of course , Spurgeon was never a political parson .
Idiom: stroke of luck (used idiomatically: yes)
When we got the exhibition table back and decided to refinish the top entirely I had the problem of finding four more burr walnut veneers . Luckily Crispins of Curtain Road in London , my main veneer supplier , still had four leaves from the same bundle that I had purchased the original set from . This was very lucky and one of the two strokes of luck we had on the whole job . The task of recovering this piece from disaster fell to David Woodward who promptly rented time on a thicknessing sander owned in another workshop locally and sanded the original veneers off . He then replaced it with beautifully quartered burr black walnut veneers and then routed in new lippings to frame the burrs .
Idiom: small print (used idiomatically: yes)
Combining innovative technology with a unique depth of experience , Groves , John & Westrup offers efficient and speedy claims handling , helpful documentation and a clear focus on its client needs . Sphere Drake with Groves , John & Westrup — strength to depend on . To understand why Bachmann & Co Ltd are a leading agency in BRITISH FLAG YACHT REGISTRATION you have to read the small print … Bachmann & Co Ltd are leading international marine consultants , specialising in corporate yacht ownership , providing professional legal and technical services for clients worldwide . Working in close association with designers , builders , brokers , agencies and banks to fulfil our clients ' most exacting requirements .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 've come back,’ she said softly . ‘ I understand and I 've come back.’ She brushed the tears from her eyes and took stock of her position . She had brought everything she would need , including a little food as Marguerite was not expecting her . She knew there would be tea , coffee and most other things she would need for tonight .
Idiom: out of the blue (used idiomatically: yes)
Dr John Curtis , Keeper of the Department of Western Asiatic Antiquities at the British Museum , said yesterday that there was nothing like it in the world . It was ‘ priceless’ . He said he had received a letter ‘ out of the blue’ , asking if the museum would like it . ‘ At first I could not believe it , but when I saw it hanging on the wall of this house , I was flabbergasted,’ he said . ‘ It was one of the most exciting moments in my life .
Idiom: call off the dogs (used idiomatically: no)
This man who , for the second time in two days , had come to her aid ! But , as she recognised him from yesterday , so she knew that he had recognised her too . It was all there in the way , in Czech , he called the dog off ; as the dog immediately obeyed , let go of her and went to his master 's side , the man , his charm of yesterday nowhere to be seen , blasted her in English with an angry , ' Have n't you any sense ? ' Oh , no ! Fabia mourned .
Idiom: play games (used idiomatically: no)
The attacks were an operation that must have required months of planning : serious weapons were deployed , a small army was mobilized , targets were studied , transport was organized , and weak points identified . A plan of attack that involved hundreds of people was put in motion , and yet the massive infrastructure of India ’s government discovered nothing . The chief of India ’s Anti - Terrorist Squad , Hemant ~ Karkare ( who lost his life in the battles that raged through the night ) received a death threat from the nearby city of Pune , but his own unit did not bother to investigate it , since it was busy playing games on behalf of its political masters . Complacency and politics gave the terrorists more protection than silence or camouflage ever could . Indeed , the attacks represent more than a failure of police work .
Idiom: hit the right note (used idiomatically: yes)
Men are gladly taken back into their lives , but it is themselves the women have discovered . For all Arnim 's reputation for acerbic wit , in characters and style and ( mutatis mutandis ) in plot , this abridged version is exactly like a girls ' school story of 50 or 60 years ago , even to Lady Caroline 's nickname , Scrap , and the one amazing coincidence that makes fulfilment possible for Rose . Josie Lawrence 's girlish reading is rather daunting at first but in fact hits the right note for this unexpectedly cheering and totally unsentimental little fable . ‘ Making love’ , by the way , still meant a kiss and a cuddle in 1922 : this is a very moral tale . The word ‘ fragrant’ comes to mind .
Idiom: yes and no (used idiomatically: yes)
Dennis grinned impishly . He was enjoying this . ‘ Well , yes and no . Yes , and then again no.’ I nodded .
Idiom: good offices (used idiomatically: yes)
Mr. Leigh I do not think that the hon . Lady really believes all that . We already have the best Post Office in the European Community . What harm is there in trying to achieve better value for money and more choice for the consumer by more competition — always giving an assurance , which I repeat today , that we will ensure that the uniform tariff structure remains in being even in rural areas ? What possible harm can there be to the Post Office from more competition ?
Idiom: cut the mustard (used idiomatically: yes)
ZZAP ! will always reign supreme . It proved this when it first came out way back in ‘ 85 . Other magazines have always tried to copy ZZAP ! but have never quite cut the mustard . The following survey was taken on the streets of Bradford . We asked 250 people who owned Commodore 64 machines which magazines they read , or if more than one , the one they liked best .
Idiom: head over heels (used idiomatically: yes)
Mandy , as always , bounced through every day full of cheer and optimism , watching all the goings - on as if she had happened on front - row seats at the most enjoyable of soap operas . She was fond of making vague comments to Charity about everything being just fine , and were n't things progressing well , and everything would turn out exactly right . Nelson had fallen head over heels in love with Billie , and had unofficially appointed Charity chief consultant of matters of the heart , which was about the biggest joke she had ever heard . Guests came and went , totally unaware of the intricate weaving of human relationships all around them . ‘ I wonder why she stays?’
Idiom: fall by the wayside (used idiomatically: yes)
So you abandon both , and try another tack . It is considered unwise to burden girls and boys with more than two languages at school . So English falls by the wayside — or Hindi , or the local language . Whatever happens , the implications are serious . If the use of Hindi is soft - pedalled , the prospect of evolving a common national language recedes further .
Idiom: fly off the handle (used idiomatically: yes)
Hast taken leave of what little sense thou were born with ? Two little bairns — one of 'em nobbut a babby — five days and five nights on a canal barge at this time o ' year?’ ‘ Do n't fly off the handle , Ma,’ Ernest said . ‘ I do n't doubt but what Alfred'll rig up a bit of shelter . And we 'll wrap up warm .
Idiom: reinvent the wheel (used idiomatically: yes)
The only thing I 'm bent out of shape about is that nobody knows it 's a different pickup ; everyone thinks it 's a regular Trembucker ! ‘ I had the guitar built pretty much like a Strat body . I mean , why reinvent the wheel if it rolls ? The wood is alder and the deal is that I scaled down the body a little bit . Everybody is making the bodies real small , but I scaled down a teeny bit and what I took off that way , I added in thickness , so it 's fat , like a Les Paul , so you can get that big , beefy sound .
Idiom: take someone to task (used idiomatically: yes)
This will first appear in the annual white paper on trade developments , due to be published on May 21st by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry ( MITI ) — its definitive statement on trade matters . In addition to the customary dry analysis , this year 's edition will put Japan 's side of an argument that has , until now , been dominated by American and European critiques . It follows another MITI report , published this week , that takes America , the European Community and other large trading partners to task for their ' unfair trading practices ' . Both reports argue for trade governed by multilateral rules and call for the completion of the Uruguay round of trade talks . Besides making worthy free - trade noises , MITI 's defence will also tackle American criticism head on .
Idiom: over the hill (used idiomatically: no)
The 11th , Nick Faldo 's hole , scene of both of his play - off triumphs , is up then down . It was here that , heaven forfend , a broken sprinkler head could be spotted yesterday interrupting all the perfection . Once over the hill , having driven , the view of Amen Corner blooms with its floral dance of pinks and purples , its green bridge , its blue water . Yes , the water does look dyed . How deceptive , too , is the serenity of the scene .
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: yes)
Again , for reasons stated above , this group was differentiated along gender lines , occurring in none of the female cases and 30 per cent of the male cases . A typical response from this group was : We just used to hang around with each other and it was just one of those things , like , that you 'd never done before . We got into pot at the same time , we got into acid at the same time and then there was more smack around than pot , so we got into that . A further 15 per cent , all female , stated that the major factor in their experimentation was their male partner 's use .
Idiom: cross swords (used idiomatically: yes)
She was not a beauty , it had to be said , but she had a good figure , enough sense to make a good wife and mother , was practical and kind - natured . He ended this eulogy by asking Leopold 's blessing on the marriage . Unknown to him Leopold had recently heard from another composer , Peter von Winter , who had crossed swords with Wolfgang in Mannheim , and was now maliciously taking his revenge . Von Winter had encouraged rumours about Wolfgang and Constanze , implying that the girl had already been seduced . Constanze 's guardian accordingly drew up a document that Mozart was required to sign , promising to marry her within three years , or else pay a large sum as compensation .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
' Given what we now know about food sensitivity , this is not necessarily the best advice . There seems to be a general pattern in some children , particularly with illnesses such as colic and eczema , of symptoms disappearing but other symptoms appearing later in their wake . If this is also true of toddler diarrhoea then it might Be better , in the long run , to identify the offending foods and avoid them for a while . In one study , six out of 21 children with toddler diarrhoea proved to be food - sensitive . Follow the procedure outlined on p 233 .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
Animal sacrifice expressed the principle . The full reality took place in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ . In the Old Testament the people had a God - given preview of the shed blood of Jesus , his substitutionary death on our behalf , for our sins , the just for the unjust , once and for all . FEASTS AND FESTIVALS Philip Budd
Idiom: go hand in hand (used idiomatically: yes)
Progress is distressingly slow on the United ~ Nations ’ goal of halving the number of hungry people by 2015 . Those suffering the most are the billion people who survive on a dollar or less a day . Individual tragedy and national hardship go hand in hand . Shortened lives mean less economic output and income . Hunger leaves people more susceptible to disease , requiring more health - care spending .
Idiom: beg the question (used idiomatically: yes)
Herpes simplex infection , when it involves the cervix , can cause a profuse discharge . Even measles sometimes produces a vaginal discharge . When most people refer to a ‘ vaginal’ discharge , they are , in fact , begging the question of the source of their complaint . What they mean is a discharge visible at the entrance to the vagina . The distinction is quite important , for there are certain truly ‘ vaginal’ infections in which the actual surface of the vagina is involved in the infective process and there are infections of the cervix and uterus which may also cause a discharge that appears ‘ vaginal’but is , in fact , cervical or uterine in origin .
Idiom: one of those days (used idiomatically: yes)
On another day , Leeds ' performance might have been good enough to claim some reward . They created more scoring opportunities than the average away team and they were not exactly negligent in defence . It was just that City enjoyed one of those rare days when everything went right , even though some of the Maine Road faithful will have mixed feelings about whether it was an occasion for celebration . Many of those City supporters have indicated that , given the choice , they would rather have handed out a thrashing to their neighbours and arch - rivals tomorrow night and done their bit to extend Old Trafford 's embarrassing 25-year wait for the championship . They may , indeed , deliver another painful lesson in what promises to be a fascinating derby match but Alex Ferguson 's team go into that encounter with pressure eased in the knowledge that they can drop a minimum of six points on a seven - match run - in .
Idiom: come unstuck (used idiomatically: yes)
The party is rich in buildings , printing presses , holiday homes ; if it were to break into bits , there would be a battle over who kept the goodies . Before a split , better make sure you are with the majority faction ( or Bolsheviks ) , for the Mensheviks are likely to lose out . However , these emotions and practicalities are no longer what really prevents the party from coming unstuck . The superglue is Mr Gorbachev . Reformers see him as protection against the Stalinist wing they still fear ( and many of them hope that maybe , deep down , he is still on their side ) .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
With voting in 11 states making up Super Tuesday , computers projected President George Bush an easy winner on the Republican side but forecast an embarrassing economic protest vote for rightwing challenger Pat Buchanan in Florida . Wall fall youth A YOUTH needed hospital treatment after falling off a wall at the Darlington Transport Company depot in Haughton Road early today . He was found bleeding by police at about 1 am . He was treated at Darlington Memorial but was said to be not badly hurt .
Idiom: mean business (used idiomatically: yes)
' What is this tourism of which you speak ? ' ' Uh — we are not quite sure … ' said Rerpf . An old bearded man poked his head over the guildmaster 's shoulder and cackled , ' Speaking on behalf of the winesellers of Morpork , Tourism means Business . See ? ' ' Well ? ' said Ymor coldly .
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
Groups of indomethacin treated rats were killed three or six hours after administration of indomethacin . Animals were killed by exsanguination via the abdominal aorta under inhaled ether anaesthesia . The stomachs were removed , opened along the greater curvature , and examined under a dissecting microscope with a square grid for lesions developed in the glandular portion . The extent of the gastric damage was expressed as the total area ( ( mm ) of haemorrhagic erosion . The gastric mucosa was scraped off by means of two glass slides on ice , and homogenised with 1.5 ml of 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer ( pH 7.8 ) containing 30 mM KCl in a Potter - Elvehjem homogeniser , to measure concentrations of lipid peroxides and tocopherols .
Idiom: catch the sun (used idiomatically: yes)
She gave him a whisky and soda which he drank quickly and he allowed her to refill his glass . She was wearing a loose purple housecoat zipped at the front from top to bottom . It certainly camouflaged her ungainly figure , but its shade did not exactly enhance the heightened colour of her face which had obviously caught the sun on holiday . She appeared to have gone to quite a lot of trouble over the meal , Although , at that time , rationing was still in force , she produced pâté , a savoury mince , a surprisingly light lemon soufflé and a passable bottle of claret . It reinforced his uneasiness , however , when she lit candles on the small dining - table and then turned off the only overhead electric light .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
Joanna Trollope , for example , really took off last year . She is the doyenne of the Aga - saga authors.’ Ian McGarry of James Thin Booksellers in Edinburgh confirmed the move to Aga - sagas by the book - buying public . ‘ Aga - sagas are really everyman 's alternative to Jane Austen . In our experience , the vast majority of people who we find buying these Aga - sagas are women between 25 and 40,’ he said .
Idiom: make the cut (used idiomatically: no)
Thank you Mr Mayor . My modest er surprise at the beginning Mr Mayor was purely in recognition actually of my er colleagues presentation , bearing in mind all the previous criticism about being specific . But the first thing that 's the first thing to bear in mind , the first thing to bear in mind of course is had our previous proposals in other years been accepted Mr Mayor we would need it as it were to make these cuts from this year . The second point is that of course as we accept into the role of opposition indeed to give these alternative proposals , give this particulary case to come within the government guidelines . But I think of course we can all debate er the various individual proposals and I think if we were in control of the council not only of course would we have different policies but the sort of detailed matters which would come up in debate would be discussed in committee , things would be in the normal way .