Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
Yes , and I 've broken it up into parts , I 'll be doing the same with Bernard and Tony , incidentally . Key areas . Right , they 're the make or break areas which comprise your job . Now I 'd like to go through each of them with you now and then again in two weeks ' time , and hear any suggestions you may have . Oh right .
Idiom: get the picture (used idiomatically: yes)
How would you do it these days ? Well , I think there are many assumptions made by teachers . They assume that when a child hears ' Two twos are four , two threes are six ' that they 've got various pictures in their heads , various ideas onto which to attach these symbols and these words . Supposing you say to a child ' What is four times two plus one ? ' Now assuming he knows what four times two is and assuming he knows what two plus one is and so on , he may come up with the answer ' Nine ' , or he may come up with the answer ' Twelve ' , and they 're both right .
Idiom: put a foot wrong (used idiomatically: yes)
There 's only one way to react after something like this . I got up , retrieved the rifle , lying half - buried in the sand on the slope , went to the top of the hill , looked round , then decided to risk leaving everything as it was . I cradled the gun in my arms and set off at Emergency Speed , hurtling down the path back to the island at maximum , trusting to luck and adrenalin that I would n't put a foot wrong and end up lying gasping in the grass with a multiple fracture of the femur . I used the gun to balance myself with on the tighter corners ; the grass and the ground were both dry , so it was n't as risky as it might have been . I cut off the path proper and charged up over a dune and down its other side to where the service pipe carrying the water and electricity to the house appears out of the sand and crosses the creek .
Idiom: live wire (used idiomatically: no)
More than half would rather have a shorter summer break and more holidays at other times . Frank 's car is a hot rod PENSIONER Frank Marshall escaped electrocution yesterday after his car hit a lamp - post and touched live wires . Frank scrambled clear as a massive charge surged through the wreck . Police refused to touch it until the power was turned off .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
Cranston took a deep gulp from the wine bowl . ‘ Let us put the two together,’ he said , cracking his knuckles softly . ‘ Let us say , for the sake of argument , that the plotter and the assassin are one and the same person . Virtually everyone we questioned , including Mistress Philippa , who may be plump but is very light on her feet , young and agile , could have climbed that tower.’ ‘ Yet , in the main , they all have stories to explain their whereabouts.’
Idiom: on the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
He had three pieces of paper in front of him and was writing a line at a time on each — a different line on different aspects of his recent battle with lung cancer , which , however , he stated was now completely cured . As the days went by , his behaviour and thoughts became more and more bizarre . He heard electrical impulses behind a large , old - fashioned enamelled flour bin on a high shelf in the kitchen and got out the step - ladder to investigate , bringing down the bin , which hit and broke a jar of clear honey in its descent ; he ended up with a mixture of flour and honey all over himself , the fridge and the floor . On returning downstairs after a much - needed bath and shampoo , he was wearing his underpants outside his trousers , and an argument ensued as to the inappropriateness of this . I gave in — after all , we were n't going anywhere .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: no)
After they 'd downed two large vodkas , they began to open up . Their conversation became more animated . They were altogether sharper and funnier , liable to dash off on little fantasy runs . They began to tease each other and the experimenters with self - conscious relish . They were fine people to be with .
Idiom: meet your match (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ You 've obviously chosen to believe your own publicity — you like the idea of being a ‘ Midnight Raider’ . You 've probably never encountered opposition before , because you 've deliberately gone after the weak who could n't fight back . Well , this time you 've met your match , Adam Burns . I 'm not about to keel over for you!’ The skin seemed to grow taut over his cheekbones , making him look more predatory than ever .
Idiom: feel the pinch (used idiomatically: no)
It has n't escaped my notice that you 've gone from five - star hotels to virtual slums . That 's quite a rapid decline . Feeling the pinch , are you ? You know what they say — thieves never prosper . ' Paige was startled by his assumption , but knew better than to deny it .
Idiom: home and dry (used idiomatically: yes)
He put a restraining hand on Bourne 's arm . ‘ Save yourself the trouble , lad . There 's no way into the playground from the square and by the time you get round by the road , whoever it was will be home and dry.’ He gave instructions for the playground to be searched . If an automatic had been used the cartridge cases should be there .
Idiom: in black and white (used idiomatically: yes)
The paper tried yesterday to rebut such views in an editorial comment , adorned with Labour 's red rose insigne . Mr Campbell said he was glad to see the Mirror restate its commitment to Labour . ‘ Words are very important , and there they are in black and white , and it is up to the Mirror to make sure that they are adhered to.’ Mr Kinnock 's motions says : ‘ This House , recalling the clear undertakings given by David Montgomery to Mirror staff when he became chief executive of MGN that he would give the group 's editors freedom to edit and not interfere with the editorial and political direction of the papers , deplores the actions which forced the departure of Alastair Campbell … ‘ It is a watershed because there could be no clearer definition of the political direction in which Mr Montgomery wants to steer the Mirror Group.’
Idiom: good riddance (used idiomatically: yes)
What was the feeling in the lodge when it eventually happened . Erm , we were n't too impressed er to put it mildly . But on the other hand we thought I suppose oh good riddance you know er rather than have a few er namby - pamby people you know sitting on the fence , we might be better off without them . But I think the number that went back , you know because of the small workforce the fact that eight or nine returned to work , you know that was virtually half the workforce in one quarry , it made it quite awkward then . D did you decide er either formally or informally , to take a particular attitude towards the ones that had gone back ?
Idiom: in my book (used idiomatically: yes)
They say they simply want clubs to be subject to the same planning restrictions they face . They 're promoting themselves to a very significant extent on the basis that they 're selling at cheaper prices to the public . That means in my book that they 're er doing retailing . Er if they 're retailers then they should er comply with retail regulations as does any other retailer in the United Kingdom . Costco has already put in a second application to answer some of the criticisms .
Idiom: go public (used idiomatically: yes)
Within three years their efforts paid off . In the period November 1969 to April 1970 , Korn / Ferry had made profits of $ 56000 on a fee income of $ 281 200 ; by 1973 , when the firm employed a staff of 42 , they were earning profits of $ 431200 on total revenues of $ 3.5 m . These figures were revealed when Korn / Ferry decided to go public and sell 25 % of their equity to outsiders ; but when the stock price fell soon after , they took fright and bought their shares back . Once Korn / Ferry 's annual fee income — growing at an annual rate of 30 % — had overtaken that of Heidrick and Struggles by 1978 and Boyden by 1979 , they sought overseas expansion . This was initially achieved by taking over existing firms , such as G. K. Dickinson in London and Guy pease in Sydney , and there was much speculation about a possible merger with Egon Zehnder , which came to nothing .
Idiom: in a rut (used idiomatically: yes)
Now … His desk was placed near the window , overlooking the narrow canyon of the street . At this time of night the street was quiet : the occasional car , and now and then a group of rowdy youths asserting their masculinity like stags in rut . Although it was dark outside he had not drawn the curtains . Silvery streaks of rain appeared out of the darkness and trickled down the shining panes .
Idiom: piping hot (used idiomatically: yes)
Cook the peas and the pasta in the usual way . Pour the pasta into the baking dish and scatter the peas on top , then mix the bean mixture with two ounces of the cheese and spread it over the peas . Ladle on the bechamel , sprinkle the remaining cheese on top , and bake in the oven for 30 minutes or so , until piping hot . If the top is n't browned , finish the dish under the grill and serve immediately with a green salad . FORGET the million dollar man .
Idiom: hit the right note (used idiomatically: yes)
It was in the realm of pastoral care that Edwin Frere believed himself most truly priest . After a discouraging start he had begun , he thought , to win the confidence of the villagers . He had hit the right note of playful yet dignified affection with the children — mischievous Sam Yaxley had proved an ally there ; and even throughout the days of his own distress he had comforted the sick and sorrowful , acting in the simple trust that , however removed chose impoverished lives might seem from his own , they were members of one another . Long before his ordination Frere had been persuaded that the human heart was held in common and , therefore , a word truly spoken either way could touch and move it . Forgetful of the silence which prevailed over his own most troubling experiences , he believed that direct and gentle questioning might embolden even the least articulate sufferer to speak all the grief and rage of the heart , and so dispel it .
Idiom: save someone's skin (used idiomatically: yes)
Although the country may have lost its strategic significance with the collapse of the Soviet Union , Washington is nevertheless concerned at the possibility of an unstable radical Islamic state growing up on the borders of the former Soviet Central Asia . The signal for the collapse of the regime was Mr Najibullah 's announcement last month that he was ready to step down in favour of a United Nations - appointed interim committee . It destroyed morale throughout the regime , forcing commanders and party chiefs to activate their tribal links with the Mujahideen and save their skins before the time of reckoning . The effect has been to accentuate divisions between the majority Pushtuns ( known in the days of the Raj as Pathans ) and the ethnic minorities of the north such as the Tajiks , who are kin to the people of the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan across the Amu Darya river . The minorities have thrown off the Pashtun yoke , largely thanks to the military prowess of Commander Ahmed Shah Massoud , a Tajik from the Jamiat - e - Islami ( Islamic Society ) opposition group .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
The railroad across Canada , I 'd learned , was single track for most of the way . Only in towns and at a few other places could trains going in opposite directions pass . I put the mink coat on a chair and retraced my journey , locking the door again and eventually returning the key to Mercer who nodded without speech and put it in his pocket . Emil was pouring wine . The passengers were scoffing the blinis .
Idiom: in this day and age (used idiomatically: yes)
Now I always think of that as stamina cos I think that must have been a terrific stamina thing . He must have felt it and he must have suffered afterwards from it I would imagine , but he had , he had those qualifications , he had those abilities and he used them for a . Now we never know , especially in this day and age , what situation we 're going to be in , and would your physical ability save you ? Would it be able to even go further and save other people ? The , you may get by very nicely on very moderate physical ability in ordinary every day life because you can kind of order what you 're going to let yourself in for .
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: yes)
Both had their moments and , for the first time , both were shown all around the world on television . Both received praise for the presentation , the colour and the crowds but mixed reviews when it came to the standard of play . With South African Rugby in the dock the Council for the Defence would point to the record of the Springboks . They demolished England in 1984 , comprehensively beat an excellent Cavaliers side in 1986 ( with neutral referees ) and , despite the years of isolation , managed to defeat , admittedly with some difficulty , the FNB world side that toured in 1989 . Since then a number of really promising youngsters have emerged and most South Africans feel that the mid - nineties will be the peak of an outstanding generation , as was the case with 1986 .
Idiom: on the back of (used idiomatically: yes)
In an eerie reversal of the situation in the North American market , Oracle 's next biggest competitor is n't the plucky standards - hot Sybase but virtually a legacy operation , Ingres , currently owned by Ask Computer Systems Inc. Sybase has done very well in financial markets and companies in Wall Street and the City , mostly because for a long time it could offer facilities such as triggers and stored procedures that Oracle could n't . Outside of the Square Mile , it 's practically invisible in the UK relational database market , where Oracle runs unchecked , Ingres still does well on the back of its ICL Plc agreement into local and central government , and Informix , while selling like hot cakes , still mostly shifts its C - ISAM and Standard engines , not the high ticket OnLine . Changing that is partly the job of recently headhunted former Oracle staffer John Spiers , now marketing director for Northern Europe . He 's got a lot to do .
Idiom: claim to fame (used idiomatically: yes)
Ten years later the brewery embarked on a substantial redevelopment programme and rechristened the pub The Brown Trout ‘ to bring it more into keeping with Darlington’ . The Alma 's footballing connection is one Alf Common , landlord from 1925–43 . England international Alf 's claim to fame is that he was the first £ 1,000 player when in February 1905 he was bought by Middlesbrough from Sunderland . The exorbitant fee caused uproar in the land . Even the House of Commons stepped in and denounced Middlesbrough for attempting to buy their way out of the relegation zone .
Idiom: reinvent the wheel (used idiomatically: yes)
If the local people are being manipulated by others for their gain then of course the situation is different . Many projects in Zimbabwe , Zambia , Indonesia and other places are now embracing the local people in the development of wildlife - oriented management programmes where they will , once again , be party to the decision - making and benefit from the activity . It is not reinventing the wheel , but adapting past methods to modern conditions and techniques , and reinvolving the true investors without whom conservation will not work — has not worked . Even in Europe it is necessary . For instance , until we did a NERC - funded project on tortoises in southern France the locals were not involved .
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: yes)
Jennifer Calder , 27 , a legal secretary , from Barnet , north London , said : ‘ John Malkowich was superb . This film proves he has a great range as an actor.’ The Waterdance , which charts the struggles of a novelist trying to come to terms with sudden paralysis , also drew great praise . Keith Hoult , 31 , a hotel manager from Earl 's Court , west London , was pleased that the film avoided being over - sentimental . ‘ I thoroughly enjoyed it .
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
We had quite a lot of homework , so that those of us on a train journey involving an hour on either side of the school day , and then a couple of hours work , were not left with much free time . Weekend homework always included an essay . We learned a lot of poetry by heart . Both of these activities I enjoyed very much , but maths was a torture ! I was very bad at gym , and really hated ‘ apparatus’ , where we hurled ourselves over boxes and horses , or hung upside down on parallel bars .
Idiom: down the drain (used idiomatically: yes)
And spurn the bike , the lorry and the train . There 's far too much encouragement for poets — That 's why this country 's going down the drain . All - purpose poem for State Occasions The nation rejoices or mourns
Idiom: good offices (used idiomatically: no)
We heard that a Quaker lady , Miss Maud Gurney Tyler , was giving private shorthand classes for one shilling and sixpence a lesson . Who knew but that someone might teach typewriting ? This could get one a good office job . On my twenty - first birthday I walked out to Battle , to the grounds of the Abbey and thought very deeply . Even shorthand - typing posts were becoming rare in Hastings .
Idiom: tell tales (used idiomatically: yes)
It seemed such a pointless act of heroism . But it was n't . The man survived the war and told the tale and has lived a purposeful life ever since , seeking to carry on Kolbe 's work of reconciliation . I sometimes wonder if there was that kind of risk when God planned the cross from the beginning of time . I think there was and is .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
When they had n't returned by 9.30pm I was starting to worry . Thankfully they piled in shortly after with assorted and strangely contradictory tales of storms , abseils and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds — the only consistency being a ferocious thirst . When in Betws y Coed , an afternoon of muscle - wrenching mountain biking comes to mind . The afternoon in question was spent in a painful attempt ( wholly unsuccessful ) to keep up with a young woman who later turned out to be a champion rider with a European reputation . I 've had my picture taken alongside most of Snowdonia 's summit cairns and I no longer feel prodded by guide books or pressured by time to tick off one top after another .
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: no)
It was a village of narrow lanes and tilting walls . The lanes were crowded with children and donkeys and geese . Women in black squatted in doorways sifting through pans of dry rice , picking out the stones . From the train we looked down over the clutter of the rooftops , things broken , things abandoned , things stored and forgotten : broken water - jugs , wheel - less bicycles , rolls of rush matting . Everything was brown except for one glorious sunstruck line of washing .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
An FM radio digital receiver was being operated in the cabin by a passenger when a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 registered a wrong flight - level capture . A compact disc player was suspected of interfering with the flight management of a McDonnell Douglas MD-87 which caused an uncommanded change of modes . Two passengers were operating lap - top computers when a Boeing 747 - 400 started oscillating left and right during flight . The oscillation stopped when the machines were switched off . Biotechnology enters the social arena
Idiom: run riot (used idiomatically: yes)
Winning the toss , high - flying Somerset were given an 82 start by Ricky Bartlett and Mark Lathwell and it was the introduction of spinners Phil Carrick and Jeremy Batty which stopped things getting out of hand . Bartlett fell lbw to Batty for 37 and without addition Lathwell was stunningly caught one handed at mid - off by Batty to bring Carrick a wicket . But then acting captain Richard Harden and Graham Rose ran riot with a record - breaking third - wicket stand in Sunday cricket against Yorkshire of 167 in only 24 overs . It was the best for any wicket by a visiting team at Acklam Park and the largest for any wicket against Yorkshire in 11 years . Rose had roared his way to 88 off 79 balls with eight fours and two sixes when he fell lbw to Darren Gough , leaving Harden unbeaten on 76 off 71 balls .
Idiom: up and running (used idiomatically: yes)
Vintage tourer on the road again in Spring VINTAGE car enthusiast Gordon Smith , a commissionaire at Barlaston , is eagerly looking forward to running is 1920 Humber Tourer out on the roads again this spring . ‘ It 's been laid up for a while with a problem in the starting mechanism , but a friend is now completing a repair job for me , and we hope to be up and running again soon,’ explained Gordon , pictured with the vehicle 's log - book . Lovingly restored over many years , involving many hours of devoted workmanship , the four - seater soft - top Humber is one of only two other known survivors of this model . ‘ They only made 500 of this model and all were made to order,’ said Gordon .
Idiom: hammer and tongs (used idiomatically: yes)
I find it thoroughly fascinating , but I am sorry to say that as much as I enjoy your magazine there never seems to be much advice or any articles for that matter , for women like me . I am a club member , 50 in June and obsessed with running and keeping fit . I always go hammer and tongs at my running and then wonder why I end up with chest pains sore throats , dead legs , etc . So can I put in a plea ? Can we please have a column for us 50-year - olds ?
Idiom: down the tubes (used idiomatically: yes)
Dougal was pleased with it . He had experimented for hours in the tiled bathroom . He had finally chosen the version in which he spoke in a falsetto down a cardboard tube , with his nostrils clamped together . ' This is a recorded message , so all you have to do is listen . ' ' What the hell is this ? '
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
We had adopted them while I was preparing for the desert . Before learning about our infertility , we had already planned to adopt ‘ hard - to - place’ children , and so , with little prospect of natural children , we applied for adoption all the sooner . We fostered Susan with a view to adoption , knowing that there was a possibility of a tug - of - love . Unless someone had been prepared to take the risk , she might have spent her childhood in institutions . She was a year old and her mother had wanted her to be fostered while she got herself sorted out .
Idiom: see the light of day (used idiomatically: yes)
d ) Supplying the consumer with a genuine Free Range Egg . Maybe as little as 25 % of Free Range Birds kept in the large commercial Free Range Units ( housing several thousand ) , see the light of day , and are de - beaked to outbreaks of cannibalism . e ) Less capital outlay per bird than in the larger more automated units .
Idiom: feel the pinch (used idiomatically: yes)
This month had ushered in substantial price rises on basic food items like rice , oil , pork and flour . Although students had a small subsidy , the increases represented a further erosion of living standards , for them as well as other urban residents.a Price rises of 30–50 per cent were not uncommon at this time . People were feeling the ' pinch ' of economic reform and were not convinced by official explanations of the necessity for hardships while some private businesses were making huge profits . Large , somewhat extravagant celebrations were planned at Beida , perhaps to take students ' and teachers ' minds off the immediate economic situation and to focus attention instead on the university 's great traditional heritage . Apart from dance parties and fireworks , there were several major meetings held during the week of the anniversary .