Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: in the nick of time (used idiomatically: yes)
He felt that he was restored to consciousness in the right nick of time , for the especial purpose of holding a conference with the second messenger despatched to him through Jacob ~ Marley 's intervention .
Idiom: pull strings (used idiomatically: yes)
When his form is good , he straight drives with awesome certainty , barely bothering to run as he knows his timing has ensured a boundary . Though his current technique is based on the battle against fast bowling ( he is moving back rather than across in an attempt to eliminate his Achilles heel , the lbw decision ) , he plays slow bowling with rare arrogance . Gooch has developed as a captain , too , pulling strings whereas before he might have retreated . After two seasons as captain of Essex , he resigned saying : ‘ As I see it , when you win you 're supposed to and when you do n't , it 's your fault.’ Now , the leadership of his county is his pride : the winning of the championship last summer , his happiest moment in the game .
Idiom: set eyes on (used idiomatically: yes)
People believed they knew things that could never be shared ; mysteries too deep and powerful for outsiders to understand . ‘ Do you know what they did at Christmas and Easter?’ she asked , enjoying Mungo 's obvious interest in the story . ‘ They were just about the only times we set eyes on them,’ she went on . ‘ You 've never seen anything like it . They 'd come into the shops covered in Christmas decorations .
Idiom: go the distance (used idiomatically: no)
Right . Try a try a shot with a which would be a roll wo n't it ? Most most people play this er with a fairly conventional croquet stroke because the black ball 's the blue ball 's gon na go twice the distance of the red . Is n't it ? Yes .
Idiom: dyed in the wool (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ If you think I 'm going to take my clothes off in a car full of … of female sex - perverts , you can forget it.’ ‘ Did you hear that , Rainbow?’ jeers Anya . ‘ Your little kosher friend here is a dyed - in - the - wool homophobe.’ ‘ You 're doing your best to confirm her prejudices , Anya . She 's never met any dykes before .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
So what ? He drank deep . When he had finished his meal , when he had collected his guard from the hard chair by the entrance , then he would stride back to the Haifa Street Housing Project , and he would chew on the pistachio nuts that were loose in his trouser pocket , and he would write to his mother . The first of the November frosts had settled on the lawn in front of the house , and the Sierra was an age starting . There were some mornings , Monday mornings in particular , when it would have been as quick for him to walk to the main gates and then catch an internal minibus to his office block .
Idiom: word of mouth (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We have the equipment to cope with these sort of things and there 's no mystique if you know what you 're doing,’ said a spokesman . GARDENING AND ODD JOBS Gardeners and odd job are best found from noticeboards and by word of mouth . Prices range from £ 3 to £ 5 an hour for fairly basic digging , gardening , trimming work . Local training schemes also often do contract gardening under proper supervision which can be a bargain .
Idiom: on a shoestring (used idiomatically: yes)
Around seventy per cent of the Territories ' land area is countryside ; verdant hills , small villages , rice fields , beaches and country parks seem a million miles from the sampan - crowded harbour and Manhattan - style skyline of downtown Hong Kong . The slow pace of life on Cheung Chau Island , Lantau or in the rural New Territories recalls scenes of rural China where time sails as leisurely as the tea - laden junks of yesteryear . ON A SHOESTRING New Harbour Hotel Hong Kong Island
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: yes)
When they had gone she felt fulfilled , emptied , at peace . Great creatures roamed the forest , some like bears , others like cattle , reaching up on hind legs that were as thick as oaks to chew leaves and berries from the tops of the trees . Tallis had seen nothing like them in all her life , their hides so thick , their fur patterned in blacks and browns and whites , infested with parasites . Odd horns and protrusions covered their faces . Tongues licked leaves into mouths where teeth grew at all angles .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: no)
Lambert came in , looking scruffy and pale . ' You did a piss - poor - job on those balloons , ' Woolley told him . ' I came over there fifteen minutes ago and they had two of the buggers up again , and the Boche artillery was pounding shit out of our lines . ' ' Oh , Christ , ' Lambert said . He sat down and fumbled for a cigarette .
Idiom: by leaps and bounds (used idiomatically: yes)
And that was twenty years ago . Long before Buckmaster 's eyes had turned to politics and he 'd become the youngest MP in the Commons , leaving Morgan to run the largest security organization in the world . It had expanded by leaps and bounds . And that , Morgan thought as he stirred in the chair , was when I advised caution . That we consolidate what we had built up ; but Buckmaster had the bit between his teeth .
Idiom: add insult to injury (used idiomatically: yes)
The start of the second half was also dramatic , carrying Rangers from the brink of a two - goal lead to the precipice of expulsion from the European Cup . Goram 's prodigious clearance sent McCoist racing into the Belgians ' box , where he looked to be impeded . No penalty was given and insult was added to injury when Brugge equalised through Staelens in the 50th minute . The finish was as accurate as the rest of the Belgians ' efforts had been wayward and suddenly the numerical disadvantage Rangers were working under threatened to be a severe handicap . Nisbet , with his first goal of the season , ultimately revived Rangers ' European ambitions and no matter how fortuitous his strike was , it may yet turn out to be of inestimable value to an Ibrox team who clung on bravely in the closing stages .
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: yes)
… select Style’ and highlight the style to be added to the global template . Press Define , and in the bottom left corner of the box you 'll see an option labelled Add To Template . If you click on the square alongside , a cross will appear in it and the selected style will be added to the template . Click on Change , and then on Close . Step 11
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
It was even acceptable to chant or recite a verse or two in public if the young mirza had ‘ beauty and a good voice’ ; but he should not do so too often or at length for fear — heaven forbid — that he be mistaken for a professional poet or singer . ( The mirza , moreover , ‘ should never trust any well - clothed person who pretends to be an author … ’ ) Having your own original opinions was clearly a major flaw in a mirza and , just to be on the safe side , the Mirza Nama offers a few acceptable opinions for the young gentleman to learn by heart and adopt as his own . Among flowers and trees he should admire the narcissus , the violet and the orange . He should eat his fill of watermelon ( ‘ the best of all fruits’ ) and ‘ rice boiled with spices should be preferred by him to all other eatables.’
Idiom: on edge (used idiomatically: yes)
The desire to teach canoeing to the boys prompted enrolment into the coaching scheme to learn themselves , eventually reaching the level of Senior Instructor . It is while at an Instructor training course at the scouts ' Longbridge centre that they met the infamous Saun Baker and started to paddle with an informal group of Thames weir bashers . The next few years saw her and Ross out with this band of fun boaters and future rodeo aficionados though Lesley remembers having spent much of these early years bobbing about in the boils on the edge of the rough stuff , a result of lack of confidence in her own ability and perhaps not being pushed to perform by the guys in the group as much as they would each other . Fortunately , perfecting her roll was the breakthrough that gave Lesley the confidence to fight for her own to go on the top of the waves and start experimenting with hotdogging tricks . Ross started the first ever Bitches Rodeo in 1988 and Lesley followed the next year , paddling poorly in the small ladies ' competition but meeting up with her now great friend and rival , Mandy Castle .
Idiom: on someone's mind (used idiomatically: no)
Bertha Cohen felt his anxiety and shared it . She knew it was not her father - in - law , Rabbi Moishe , he was searching for — the Rabbi would be in a waiting - room with the President 's party — but for their son , Jacob . She was worried about her husband ; it had been obvious for the past few days that something was preying on his mind . It would be useless to ask him ; she had learned that much from experience . Whatever problems he had faced in their life together he had kept to himself .
Idiom: see the light of day (used idiomatically: yes)
So , so that was in her share of the management . I do n't think she 'd taken erm prominent role in the day to day planning of the standard edition , this was done by erm , calculable spreadsheet . Erm , my only view is that , er , the reason is that , by the time it saw the light of day , because remember , the manuscript was in the , the manuscript was physically in the possession of the Bullitt family not the Freud family . Erm , when the Bullitt family sought it to published it , it was published , but by that time , the kind of changes that I talked about at the beginning of my lectures , had already occurred in psychoanalysis . Psychoanalysis had evolved into a highly therapeutic undertaking , which was very very and institutionalized for therapy , and the black books had already been blackened , as it were .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
The Canadian model has a curious corollary , which was to have an unhappy future , extending almost down to the present day . I refer to the federal corollary . In Canada the British not only deluded themselves that they had defeated the axiom ; they also imagined it was the federal ingredient that had enabled them to do the trick . For the Canadian model to work , a unitary electorate analogous to that of the UK is required . Where populations , therefore , are incapable of sustaining a single parliamentary representation through their internal differences , the prescription runs : in that case , create a federation , give the federation a parliament , and you have solved your problem .
Idiom: go west (used idiomatically: yes)
From Verzy to Trépail , however , the vines face eastwards , after which they take more southerly aspects . The vineyards of the Vallée de la Marne face both north and south , depending on which bank they are situated . Going west , the vineyards on the right bank , from Mareuil towards Dormans , have an excellent south - facing aspect and far outmatch in terms of quality the north - facing , left bank vineyards of Mardeuil , Boursault , etc . Going south out of Épernay into the so - called Cubry valley , the vineyards of Pierry , Moussy and Vinay have south and south - east facing aspects , while across the valley towards Vaudancourt and Chavot they again face north , yet like those in the Montagne , seem to thrive . Further south , where the vineyards of Monthelon and Morangis face Mancy across a small valley , the vines are nicely trapped in east and west - facing aspects .
Idiom: hold the purse strings (used idiomatically: yes)
Barring a last - minute volte - face by the MoD , the aircraft will then be at the mercy of the highest bidder , who might just be a scrap dealer . Realistically , this was always likely to be the end of the line for the Vulcan . In its 40th year as a type , on the 10th anniversary of its only active service and the year before the 40th anniversary of the RAF , the aircraft is increasingly viewed by those who hold the purse strings as an anachronism — a symbol of a past which has no relevance in the new future . That the aircraft is almost time - expired and costs a small fortune to operate is almost a secondary consideration , but a damning one nonetheless . In 1993 the RAF will celebrate 75 years of existence as a independent armed service and doubtless this will be a major theme of air shows and events , publications and programmes during the year .
Idiom: round the bend (used idiomatically: yes)
In the event , it went well enough , and the period when they were especially vulnerable passed without assault . Fortunately the Yair ford was a wide one , so many horsemen could take it abreast . Rounding the great bend opposite East Ord , they suddenly came into view of the English forces massing over a mile ahead . But these did not move forward at this stage , although they were as close to the Yair as were the Scots . Still they waited , as the Scots came on at a canter .
Idiom: read my lips (used idiomatically: yes)
This year 's battle of the budget is generating more anguish than any for years , John Major 's cabinet now realize what a parliamentary mess December might turn into with week - long debates on both the Queen 's speech and the budget to pack in , and worse to come in the spring , a budget combining taxes with public spending seemed a good idea at the time Norman Lamont announced it , but with November the thirtieth just a month away the political down - side is appearing , of course with a fifty billion pound deficit in the Government 's accounts this years spending round would have been hard pounding anyhow , but the usual noisy haggle over the available cash among departments is now amplified by posses of Tory backbenchers trying to head off this or that tax increase , and there 's an incentive to keep that up right through the finance bill after Christmas , since most new taxes would not come in until April . A phrase from the Conservative 's manifesto last year , we are the only party that understands the need for low taxation , has now returned to haunt them , for an MP in a marginal constituency this evokes the electoral ghost of George Bush , so he firmly rules out increases in income tax , but would n't mind putting V A T on newspapers and books . But would it be within the spirit of the manifesto to murmur , read my lips , no more direct taxes ? Really , he says , people do n't notice V A T so much , others believe income tax will have to take some of the strain , but not by putting up the rates , that would be too blatant . The best bet is that the Chancellor will confine higher allowances against tax to the lowest grade , thus asking the better off to pay a bit more .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: yes)
Did n't think so . And raspberry or a raspberry mousse , that was quite nice ! Stephen , you 'll have to have words with Graham this morning . And it 's . Right .
Idiom: squeaky clean (used idiomatically: yes)
From Brussels and Strasbourg came the stern warning : ‘ This constitutes a monopoly — get rid of it!’ And so the Hops Marketing Board , like free school milk and NHS orange juice , disappeared into the black hole of British social history . In fact its name still adorns the large office block in Paddock Wood — they 're waiting for the Friends of Felix Dhjerzinsky to come and remove it — but below is enscribed the new and politically squeaky - clean name of ‘ English Hops’ . ‘ We 're now a growers ' co - operative,’ David Gardner explained . ‘ Because of contracts and forward planning , there had to be an orderly change from government monopoly to co - op.’
Idiom: take the plunge (used idiomatically: yes)
Nevertheless they regarded themselves as unofficially engaged . It did not last but the parting seems to have been no terrible pain , the memory very fond . Meanwhile back in Wales , Philip Burton had taken the plunge , moved to Cardiff and gone to work full - time at the BBC as a producer . But he let nothing get in the way of his chief purpose . Richard was taken to Stratford - upon - Avon for a week where they saw Marlowe 's Dr Faustus and the ex - schoolteacher had his ward up in the morning in the hotel gardens to study and learn by heart the great speeches .
Idiom: take root (used idiomatically: yes)
But I defy anyone looking at any part of the earth 's history closely and with an open mind , not to be struck by the super - abundance and ubiquity of particular fossils . I know very well that in many cases this is in the mind of the palaeontologist rather than in the rocky facts themselves . Certain fossils have , for some inexplicable reason , taken root in the literature and palaeontologists ' subconscious and so been recorded everywhere . Atrypa reticularis in the Silurian and Stringocephalus burtini in the Devonian are obvious examples . There is much subjectivity in systematic palaeontology .
Idiom: as luck would have it (used idiomatically: yes)
Callahan was still in bed : he did n't bother with trialists . I rustled up a friendly Australian to take a shot of Ted in action . As luck would have it , the light was n't good enough and the shots did n't come out . Ted was wearing a fluorescent green competition vest . You could n't miss him .
Idiom: pass the buck (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ You did n't have to push very hard,’ he reminded her , ‘ but you have my word , nothing will happen that you do n't initiate.’ She laughed a little breathlessly . ‘ That 's called passing the buck , Lawrence.’ He grinned wolfishly . ‘ Of course— there 's always the chance you 'll drop it !
Idiom: touch wood (used idiomatically: yes)
Because there there were guns up in the flats . There may still be guns hidden in flats . And touch wood nothing 's happened and hopefully nothing will . Mhm . Do you
Idiom: taste blood (used idiomatically: yes)
Victim needed 20 stitches after attack By Audrey Gillan IT WAS not until he could taste his own blood that Ian Norrie realised he had been slashed — the pain from the punches disguised the feeling of cold metal entering his cheek . His back was pushed against the wall as a youth set about him . Yet he did not retaliate : he ' just wanted it to be over ' .
Idiom: go the extra mile (used idiomatically: yes)
Janice herself received a few firm words . She was amazed and hurt . All this when her only motivation was to go the extra mile under all circumstances . The staff were all under pressure . This was the wrong time for a confrontation .
Idiom: play with fire (used idiomatically: yes)
Do n't mess about with fireworks and always let an adult light them if you 're going for a small family display . Voice over Failure to stick to the safety rules is simply playing with fire . In part two : Five a Side … Oxford and Pompey 's ten - goal thriller .
Idiom: out of thin air (used idiomatically: yes)
We 're lucky this year because we 'll get Miss Gimlett , and she 's quite nice . But Miss Hardbroom 's horrendous . She just appears out of thin air-’ At this point Mildred broke off and looked around in case she had done just that , but she had n't . ‘ — And she says dreadful things to you in front of the whole class and makes you feel really stupid,’ continued Maud . ‘ That 's right,’ said Mildred , ‘ and I heard tell that she changed one girl into a frog because she was two seconds late for a lesson .
Idiom: cap in hand (used idiomatically: yes)
The news was a body blow and for several months the company was on a knife edge . Ultimately , I renewed contact with GEC which was still interested . This time , of course , I was going to it cap in hand . In December , 1979 , GEC duly purchased 100 per cent of Hall Automation . We became part of GEC - Marconi Electronics and as managing director I reported to Sir Robert Telford and continued to run Hall Automation .
Idiom: take the fall (used idiomatically: no)
It is of nature created and hallowed by a personal God who pours into it his creativity and love . It is wholly hallowed and consecrated . The biblical tradition , while taking sin and the Fall seriously , does not consider the universe and the world as things to be exploited , but rather to be treated with respect . Mankind is charged with responsibility for the care of creation as a steward is given charge over the property of another . There are , for example , passages in the Old Testament which speak of a ‘ sabbath rest ’ for nature .
Idiom: have a ball (used idiomatically: yes)
The North twice carved out excellent try - scoring chances in the first 15 minutes . But Spencer Bromley was smashed to the ground inches from the line by Deon Oosthuysen , and Simon Mitchell was denied by Heinrich Fuls . Other less clear - cut chances were also smashed back by a Springbok side which continues to make the most of their discipline despite having less ball and creating fewer chances than the opposition . They still tackle in a powerhouse manner , and the message to England is clear . They must find a way to unlock the defence other than by simply launching men head first into oblivion .
Idiom: break ranks (used idiomatically: yes)
Dump the bastard in the Mersey … .’ Hands grasped the now frightened convener as his mates fought to keep the pressing mob at bay . Overwhelmed by the sheer size and strength of the surging crowd , Clasper 's supporters suddenly got the message and broke rank , dispersing into the milling throng . Police helmets could be seen bobbing above the crowd as a small corps of police officers attempted to force their way through to rescue Clasper from the hands of the mob . Before they could reach him , however , he was borne aloft like a javelin and carried to the quayside a few yards away where he was dumped unceremoniously into the murky waters to a great cheer from those who were close enough to witness the event .
Idiom: leave well alone (used idiomatically: yes)
Scanners convert the image they are given into a pattern of dots , typically at a resolution of 300dpi . If this is printed directly on a page printer at the same resolution the results seem reasonable but attempt to reproduce the image by photocopying or traditional printing and the lack of quality is all too apparent . A 300dpi scanner can manage to scan in line artwork but , apart from using it as a guide , photographs are best left well alone . The problem is two - fold . Photographs consist of a continuously varying tone , hence the name contone in the printing world .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Those who design , develop and approve this marginally acceptable architecture must be delighted that its very banality keeps critics and hostile public opinion at bay . These buildings are not so controversial that passers - by , princes or those who work in them feel moved to express an opinion , either positive or negative . We continue to turn a blind eye to the architecture with no name , preferring instead to attack the buildings that future generations will admire . What can be done to stop the spread of this silent architectural disease creeping through the veins and arteries of our cities ? First , it should he held up for critical inspection , pilloried when necessary .
Idiom: on top of the world (used idiomatically: yes)
He was sent home . YOU STINKER ! Smelly shoes put Chris on top of world JAN DISLEY SCHOOLBOY Chris Gill is the first of the phew — his trainers were yesterday voted the smelliest in Britain .
Idiom: get lost (used idiomatically: yes)
This odd reversal of polygyny has been attributed to a very high rate of ground predation whereby clutches are easily lost . If a female , in a short breeding season , has to re - establish her clutch in relation to a single mate , clutch loss becomes a very serious matter which the male can do little about . If , however , she keeps mating and not only gets several clutches going but is able to re - establish those that get lost , then she maximizes her chance of a successful breeding season . In this case too , by maximizing their caring role , males ensure as far as possible that their young are ‘ got off’ successfully . In these birds male care is the limiting resource and females show the increased size and dominance which in polygynous species accrue to the males ( see Jenni 1974 ) .