Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: make the cut (used idiomatically: no)
Much of the Government - initiated debate on welfare centres on the size of the income support payments made to claimants . Less is heard of the other welfare state , which runs parallel to the ' traditional ' welfare state , and is financed by tax concessions , such as mortgage interest relief and pension contribution relief . The Government has curtailed the growth in expenditure on the traditional welfare state , and , as has been seen , abolished some benefits and made real cuts in the value of others . However , no similar effort has been made to limit the growth of tax welfare . The overall effect has again been to widen still further the gap in living standards between those at either end of the income scale , and to expose still further the underclass , who benefit least from tax welfare .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: yes)
Three weeks ago he went home for weekend leave . He went on the run . Last week he phoned my office and told my colleague Bryan Rostron : ‘ I am going to stay on the run till they free Boler . I 've been admitting to the robbery for two and a half years , but no one will listen . ‘ There are statements from four people who know I did the robbery .
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
This was like a general who had lost a battle or some important territory being disciplined or shot . Well , I had done what I could to protect the new catapult and , while I was sorry that what had happened at the Rabbit Grounds had cost me a trusted weapon with many battle honours to its name ( not to mention a significant sum out of the Defence budget ) , I thought that maybe what had happened had been for the best . The part of me which made the mistake with the buck , letting it get the better of me for a moment , might still be around if that acid test had n't found it out . The incompetent or misguided general had been dismissed . Eric 's return might call for all my reactions and powers to be at their peak of efficiency .
Idiom: make a splash (used idiomatically: no)
By the middle of the century Arkesilas was himself on the run , fleeing from Cyrene via Euesperides to the west , where he was assassinated . Pindar knew ( none better ) how to celebrate a victorious horse in the literal sense , but rarely backed a political winner : clients of his , or their families or their states , came to misfortune in Athens , Sicily , Aigina and Cyrene . The monarchy in Cyrene had been a splendid and successful anachronism ; the ' democracy ' which ousted it ( Arist . loc.cit . ) made no such splash in the world beyond Africa . That ' democracy ' was probably an oligarchy of a narrow enough type . Thereafter till the end of the century Cyrene virtually disappears from the record except that a Cyrenaean individual helped Athenian survivors of the Sicilian disaster of 413 ( IGi 3 125 ; Dem .
Idiom: point the finger (used idiomatically: yes)
' Jules will guide you to your room . If my mother feels the need to recover then perhaps you do too . Though I warn you , ' he added menacingly , pointing one long brown finger at her , ' if you persist in upsetting her I will not hesitate to punish you even though I know how this hurts . Go and — and wash your face or something , ' he finished in exasperation as Jules came into the room . She did n't exactly flee — she was n't physically capable of it — but it felt like that , and the stairs were an almighty pest , stretching as they did almost endlessly .
Idiom: think twice (used idiomatically: yes)
This is essential if quite large numbers of candidates will be coming during the day as they will need to be organized and someone will have to handle any unforeseen changes in schedule . Even if you are only seeing a few people there should be someone to greet them on arrival and make them feel they have come to the right place on the right day . If your organization is slap - happy it will unnerve candidates and may make them think twice before accepting a job with you . Avoid noise and interruptions The room used for the interview should be quiet and away from the general office traffic and bustle .
Idiom: be my guest (used idiomatically: yes)
Hello . This is another programme in our series from the university , in which we share with you news and views concerning activities that are going on here . In these programmes we 're talking with people in the community who have particular contacts with us , and Graham Mayhew , who is my guest today , is a particularly good example of somebody who has contact with us at all sorts of different levels . Graham , I want to start by asking you about you being mayor . You look far too young to be a mayor , but you 've just finished being Mayor of Lewes .
Idiom: on the house (used idiomatically: no)
All those bodies are able and available to help meet Renfrewshire 's problems , using the resources of central Government , which will be substantially increased as a result of my announcement . Mrs. Irene Adams ( Paisley , North ) The Secretary of State said in his statement that he would maintain the level of spending on council houses and would make extra funds available to combat homelessness and dampness . Is he aware that , in Renfrew district , the council estimates that , during the next five years , it will need £ 300 million to bring houses up to a tolerable level ? Will he put a figure on the amount that he intends to make available to deal with homelessness and dampness ?
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: yes)
and it meant we had a regular rehearsal space — which we used nearly every day . Maybe we 'd only do half an hour before sloping off but , bit by bit , we were able to put a set together . Our first gig was all of one hundred yards down the road . On November 6 , 1975 , we played support at St Martin 's School of Art to a band called Bazooka Joe — which included a young man called Stuart Goddard , later to become Adam Ant and so obsessed by punk that he has an almost complete set of Seditionaries clothing . We 'd been moaning to Malcolm about wanting to play some gigs .
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
EFTA Agreement with EC on EEA A protracted final " make or break " negotiating session began in Luxembourg on Oct. 22 and ended in the early morning of Oct. 23 with the conclusion of an agreement between the seven - member European Free Trade Association ( EFTA ) and the 12-member European Communities ( EC ) on the creation from January 1993 of a common European Economic Area ( EEA ) , the world 's largest common market embracing 380 million people . From the EC perspective , Commission President Jacques Delors said that the EEA would offer the benefits of useful experience for those ultimately seeking EC membership ( for which Austria and Sweden had already applied ) , while the Commission vice - president responsible for the negotiations , Frans Andriessen , spoke of a breathing space for the EC prior to enlargement . The current EFTA Council chairman Pertti Salolainen spoke of the EEA as " a building block in the new European architecture " and suggested that " while the EC will of course remain the centre of attraction in Europe , the EEA may very well become an attractive concept for central and eastern European countries seeking to become part of the greater European family " .
Idiom: unknown quantity (used idiomatically: yes)
She was also by all accounts extremely attractive . A great deal of the nudge - nudge wink - wink routine by the young upwardly mobile male executives was the usual response to her presence . As yet she was an unknown quantity , a mysterious figure who kept her distance from subordinate staff and was infrequently seen and then either alone or with one or several of the Senior Management team . ’ The Queen Bee to end the syndrome,’said Geoff . ’ It 's already being said of her that unlike her famous namesake she is one in whom the quality of Mercy is very finely strained.’
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Our enquiries support a sequence of events something like this . Last June Louise Müller is appearing at Strasbourg in the same company as one of Fouché 's female agents , who makes a routine report to the effect that Louise has obtained employment in Vienna with the SchickenaderOpera . Coincidentally management of the latter changes hands about the same time . Someone in the High Police — probably Fouché himself , we know he 's obsessed with intrigue — sees it as an opportunity to introduce one of his agents into Vienna . Distinguished people make a practice of visiting the opera , and pull rank so as to meet the artistes , especially attractive females.’
Idiom: as luck would have it (used idiomatically: yes)
Meredith thrust her way unceremoniously past him . He scowled at her and then lurched away to trap some other person with his clipboard and pamphlets . As luck would have it , a strapping young woman was coming towards them . She had a head of flowing auburn hair and carried herself in a self - possessed manner touching on the arrogant . She wore no make - up but had classic features , a straight nose , full lips and fine eyes .
Idiom: on the make (used idiomatically: no)
Criticise ‘ People criticise the Divisional idea but I am a supporter . It throws into combat the best players from all corners of the country and , unlike the old final trial game , it gives you a second chance if you play badly first time out . ‘ This ban is a pain but I just have to get on with it and make the most of the top games I am allowed to play between now and the Five Nations ' . ’ Andrew , England 's most capped fly-half with 50 , remains first-choice in the eyes of manager Geoff Cooke but Barnes has applied increasing pressure with a string of excellent displays , including last Saturday 's blinder for the Barbarians against Australia . Barnes , who won the last of his eight caps in 1988 , makes his first Divisional appearance since that year and coach Keith Richardson has handed him the captain 's armband , worn by Bath team-mate Andy Robinson last season .
Idiom: in the short run (used idiomatically: yes)
This monetary expansion leads to an increase in aggregate demand ( as explained above ) and firms begin to increase their prices ; they also raise their money wage rates in order to attract more labour . Since unemployed workers are expecting zero price inflation , they perceive the rise in money wages ( 4 per cent in Fig . 6.4 ) as a rise in real wages and some of them accept job offers which they might otherwise have refused . In the short - run , then , unemployment falls to U * and output rises . The government at first believes that its policy has been successful : unemployment has been reduced at the cost of 4 per cent inflation . The economy has moved from point D to point E.
Idiom: send someone packing (used idiomatically: no)
In the deserted city , Roger Duroc waited for Nguyen Seth and the resettlers . His prep crew had coptered in a few days ago , but it was psychologically important for the movement that the first arrivals turn up in the old way , like the Mormon pioneers who had first built by the Salt Lake and made the desert bloom . Duroc 's team had got the power on , and he had sent exterminator packs into the streets to begin the task of clearing out the vermin that still clung to the ruins . He had picked up a group of experienced hunter - killers from the Phoenix NoGo , and turned them loose on the remaining sandrats . There were less in Salt Lake than in most ghost cities , because of the lack of water .
Idiom: cast your mind back (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I suppose this is the real reason why you wanted me to come to your party?’ she asked . ‘ Not at all,’ Bridget said coldly . ‘ If you cast your mind back , you 'll remember that it was your idea to come to Oxford this weekend . I just happened to know that Geoffrey was keen to meet you again , and you do seem to be at a loose end at the moment . I though I 'd kill two birds with one stone.’
Idiom: be my guest (used idiomatically: yes)
He did n't much like you being a property shark , I suppose?’ ‘ Property management consultant . Do n't try to rile me again , Jennifer , you are my guest.’ ‘ Sorry , no offence meant … Just to be clear , what 's this ‘ prig’ , ‘ hypocrite’ .
Idiom: go for the jugular (used idiomatically: yes)
He will undoubtedly turn professional as soon as he is able . ' The point I am making is that Paul is not the only young player around with that confidence . They have all seen the game on TV , they know that if they get to the table they can build big breaks and if you make one mistake they go for your jugular . ' That is why you have to be fit , to practise every day and all day and why the game is so competitive . There are 800 professionals round the world now compared with the days 20 years ago when they struggled to find enough pros to compete for the world championship .
Idiom: all over the place (used idiomatically: no)
I mean , there 's a lot of pressure on somebody like Steven Hendry because he 's , he 's hardly any age at all even now , is he ? No , a mere little child , but pressure , yes I mean you 've hit exactly the right word , which makes the game and the big occasions very different . There are a whole lot of players who can go out there and knock balls in all over the place , score wonderful great big one four sevens and centuries and things of this nature , but what makes the , the good player an excellent player , is the player who can do it on the big occasion . Under the television lights does make a lot of difference , but when he knows it 's a big occasion , he can produce the goods when it matters , and there are n't too many of those . You , you see a lot more snooker probably than anybody else , do you ever get bored with it ?
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: no)
She found herself struggling against a bitter , unreasonable disappointment . Hotel Trevi was some five minutes ' walk away in a quiet backwater . The main entrance was on a small , dusty square grandly named Campo San Pietro , while , at the rear , steps led down to a canal and a private landing - stage for the guests arriving by water - taxi . At first glance the hotel closely resembled a deserted factory , with narrow , shuttered windows and peeling stucco . But , once through the heavy smoked - glass entrance doors , Luce found it was surprisingly luxurious , with cool marble floors and crystal chandeliers .
Idiom: rule of thumb (used idiomatically: yes)
I have also stressed that research is a powerful tool but like all sharp instruments can do harm as well as good if not properly used . What , then , can practitioners do to improve the situation ? One response is to turn away and say that research is difficult and irrelevant and so rely on practical experience and rules of thumb . Clients may be fortunate that practitioners ' preferences match those suggested by research , but often this is palpably not the case . It seems irresponsible and morally indefensible to intervene in clients ' lives if you are uncertain about what can be achieved and the best methods of doing so .
Idiom: slap on the wrist (used idiomatically: yes)
Amnesty International declared : " Governments can not brush rape in custody aside as a lesser abuse or isolated act . When the rapist is a government agent , that rape is torture or ill - treatment and the state is responsible for it . " Such abuses were seldom reported , thorough investigations were rarely held , and " the few perpetrators disciplined or prosecuted usually get little more than a slap on the wrist and most know they can get away with it unchallenged " . The report also stated that in countries where there was an armed opposition government troops were often given extensive powers and not held accountable to civilian legal authorities for their actions . During counterinsurgency operations government forces sometimes used rape and sexual abuse to try and extract information from women suspected of involvement with the armed opposition , or even to punish women merely for living in areas known to be sympathetic to insurgents .
Idiom: live wire (used idiomatically: yes)
They should warn offenders guilty of so - called ' dirty - tricks ' by loud hailer , and equally disqualify passive participants who hover outside the battle zone . A commentator is the most important component of any major Rokkaku challenge . Kite and team identity must be relayed to the spectators with live - wire intensity . This is a cut - and - thrust spectacle where as many as 24 kites out of 25 have been cast off , their lines to float down in defeat within twenty minutes . The contest demands physical energy and not a little skill from the flyers .
Idiom: in the running (used idiomatically: yes)
Mrs Stevenson told The Art Newspaper , ‘ Ted has a golden eye , but the board felt he was lacking in certain areas that were necessary here’ . Dr Murphy pinpointed one perceived shortcoming as fund - raising , noting , ‘ At the Kimbell the money is there all he has to worry about is how to spend it wisely’ . Ms d'Harnoncourt , the only woman in the running , failed to make the short list because , according to Dr Murphy , ‘ She did n't quite have the administrative skills needed for our museum’ . The urbane Ms d'Harnoncourt , a Duchamp specialist , has her hands full leading an ambitious reorganisation of the Philadelphia Museum 's European collections , scheduled for completion in 1995 ( The Art Newspaper No . 18 , May 1992 , p. 11 ) . Mr Walsh , Mr Powell and Mr Mandle were invited back , along with their wives , to , as Dr Murphy put it , ‘ do some socialising’ .
Idiom: in spades (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Sounds tough.’ ‘ In spades , lady.’ Yeah : in spades , on ice , eight ways to sundown , from here to eternity . It was a different language . An idiot Dream if ever there was .
Idiom: get up someone's nose (used idiomatically: yes)
Look for a shot ( 6 ) 4 . That part of opponent 's century which gets up your nose ( 5 ) 7 . Most expensive couple of deliveries before a break ( 7 )
Idiom: look the part (used idiomatically: yes)
Precious things were also subject to extortion . When Napoleon offered to sign the treaty of Tolentino in 1797 , but demanded several million lire to be paid in diamonds and treasure in return , the reigning pontiff was driven to having his tiaras unpicked and handing over among other stones the fabulous emerald collected by Julius II . Only seven years later the pope recovered this stone in the new tiara presented to him to make him look the part while anointing Napoleon as self - crowned Emperor . Of greater moment , it was to precious substances that men turned for currency , since by definition these possessed the prime quality of acceptability . by no means all such substances qualified in other respects .
Idiom: weather the storm (used idiomatically: yes)
Macedonia seems confident it can weather the storm , but some fear Athens may soon take things up a notch .
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
Her first step was to contact a solicitor to advise her on the wording of any reply to Prince Philip 's devastating letter . As she told a close friend : ‘ I knew I had only one chance to get it right . It was absolutely make or break.’ After days of reflection she decided to write back in the same icy terms Philip had used with her . And , slowly , she realised the whole situation could be turned to her advantage .
Idiom: in the long term (used idiomatically: no)
But certainly we er as I said , the essential point is that we are looking , looking at the capability across the board and taking into account the strategic requirement as we see it in terms of the direct threat to the U K in particular , which is obviously dramatically declined as a result of the collapse of the Warsaw pact . We believe that certainly for the time being , the combination of the fighter aircraft and rapier will provide an acceptable level er of air defence with a much reduced air threat to the U K er which now exists . We will continue to look at er the future programme er we will also as you know , look at ballistic missile defence which is another element to this and that must need to be fact facted in as well but I think clearly we are not talking about in the medium term er and longer term , we are talking about er a fairly late stage of the programme . I mean how do you protect Eurofighter two thousand in the absence of the medium range surface to air missile on the , I think you you told us about er the aircraft themselves as it were providing their own protection but what else ? Well as I 've said we we have as you say y y yourself , you have the aircraft itself , you have the er the existing er air defence aircraft , you have rapier and in in our view , er in certainly in terms of the U K 's threat er that is er an acceptable er er suite of preventative measures in the light of the threat which we now have .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
This is due , in part , to stylistic reasons , but also to the vagaries of UN diplomacy . Still in his quiet way , Ban is spending more than a third of his time on the road , and has accomplished much over the past 30 months . In Darfur , he managed to get African ~ Union peacekeepers into Sudan 's killing zone in his first year in office through intensive behind - the - scenes diplomacy . Though the political process has since stalled , he has pushed for more peacekeepers and helicopters . In Kosovo , Ban was able to lower the temperature on the boiling issue of the province 's independence .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: no)
5 Oral and pairwork exercises are included for communicative practice and to encourage self - expression . Teacher 's Book Each level is accompanied by a Teacher 's Book which includes , for each chapter , a description of the teaching aims of the chapter , vocabulary which may need to be pre - taught , notes on the presentation , grammar and exercise sections , ideas for additional activities and answers to the exercises . The Teacher 's Books also contain useful texts . Turn over for the Contents of Grammar One and Grammar Two .
Idiom: bring home the bacon (used idiomatically: yes)
And as for the so called unemployed , they need to Get up a bit earlier and try a bit harder To bring home the bacon for the larder . No it 's not just the workers in Whiteinch — We wallyclose wallahs are feeling the pinch .
Idiom: hold the line (used idiomatically: no)
It shook itself and cracked in the air . It sliced its tail and flexed its hollow bones . I came up behind Esmerelda and held the lines just behind her little freckled elbows , waiting for the tug . The lines came taut , and it came . I had to dig my heels in to stay steady .
Idiom: drop like flies (used idiomatically: no)
I felt the screws who did n't belong to this clique and did n't subscribe to it were given almost as hard a time by them as the inmates . The tough ones were certainly the dominant force within the prison . The older screws were dropping like flies . One particularly lovely lady called Mrs [ S]who I used to talk to a lot had had enough , she was going . She could n't stand it any more .
Idiom: get wind of (used idiomatically: yes)
These bodies , I have always understood , came from German invasion barges attacked by the RAF or the Royal Navy while on routine pre - invasion exercises close to the Dutch coast . As for an alleged German seaborne attempt on the old RAF radar research station at Bawdsey Manor , close to Shingle Street , Suffolk , Mr Laurence S. Harley , scientist and antiquarian , who died in 1983 , told me in 1969 : ‘ At the outbreak of war , I was a principal scientific officer concerned principally with research into radar … at Bawdsey … The enemy soon became aware of the importance of the work at Bawdsey and our intelligence got wind of plans for a massive attempt to demolish the research station . Because of this , work was transferred to the south coast and then to Malvern.’ Mr Harley , who made a long statement to me at the time , would doubtless have indicated if the Bawdsey site was ever raided from the sea .