Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: by dint of (used idiomatically: yes)
This image of the jongleur is unquestionably a stereotype , a caricature , but at the same time it is historically neither entirely true nor entirely false . Perhaps the most important aspect of this persona is the extent to which , in terms of intratextual characterization , it overlaps with the figure of the clerc / clers , a term that can best be translated as " student " in this context . Clerks too tend to be travellers , temporary incomers to the towns where they study or just stay ; they are indigent , and they are shown in the fabliaux to supply their wants , in terms of food , sex and entertainment , by dint of their wits . A useful review of the clers of the Old French fabliaux by Phillipe Ménard ( 1983 ) indicates that to be a clerk is a matter of attitude and behaviour rather than simply an occupation . A pertinent statistical table produced by Nykrog shows how clerks are always successful in the eternal triangle of sexual competition , pitted against husbands ranging from knights to peasants .
Idiom: once in a while (used idiomatically: yes)
In the end , her uncertainty grew to such a pitch that she expressed it . Wife : Listen , I wish you would tell me , ‘ I love you.’ I do n't want to complain about our marriage or suggest I 'm dissatisfied , but I just do wish that once in a while you 'd tell me , ‘ I love you.’ Husband : Listen ; on our wedding day did n't I say it ? Did n't I ?
Idiom: in a fog (used idiomatically: yes)
Three years earlier they had had a brief affair . The result was Allegra , whom Clairmont loved but reluctantly gave up to him , since the Shelleys insisted it would be best for the child . At this final glimpse , he was going to join a new mistress in Pisa , while Clairmont went on to Florence , then shrouded in thick fog . It 's almost too neatly symbolic , and Gittings and Manton make no comment . But their book redresses the marginalisation in her liftime imeand the obscurity afterwards .
Idiom: kiss of life (used idiomatically: yes)
Fordyce Maxwell Kiss of death to life - saving ? A SURVEY by the St John Ambulance Brigade came up with the remarkably interesting finding that the man most women would prefer to give them the kiss of life , assuming it was necessary or even if it was n't , would be TV doctor Hilary Jones . Never heard of him , one of those embarrassing admissions the best of diarists have to make at times . But he 's on GMTV .
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
I ' m pretty sure my parents set some parental control . Is there anyway to get around it or disable the parental control ? Check if the app is on the sim card / SD card . If it is , removing the card will allow you to bypass the app and still access basic things like texting . You could also try moving the app from the phone internal memory onto the SD card .
Idiom: on the carpet (used idiomatically: yes)
' What would they do ? ' ' You mean where would they put the water next time ? Maybe on the sitting - room carpet . Your guess is as good as mine , Mrs Pargeter . ' Molly imagined a dehydrated house turned into a swamp and said hastily , ' Of course I 'd pay them .
Idiom: green light (used idiomatically: yes)
Normally you walk back through the wreckage trail to find the mark in the ground or on trees or buildings beyond which there is no other mark , and then you have to match the marks with the appropriate damage to the aircraft . Things like coloured navigation lights on wing tips or on the pitot head , which is used for the measurement of airspeed and altitude and is usually mounted near the nose of the aircraft , can be good tell - tales . If the left red wing tip light is on the right of the flight path and the right green light is on the left , then the aircraft struck the ground inverted . Of course , in a large transport aircraft , all this information will be on the flight data recorder , but it must still be checked on site . More than once flight recorder transducers have been found to be connected up the wrong way round , showing a turn to the left when in fact it was a turn to the right or showing a nose - up attitude when it was really nose - down .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: no)
Although their choice of dishes was less than adventurous — they all chose Britain 's favourite curry chicken tikka masala ( £6.25 with £1.60 pilau rice ) apart from Rosemary Lamont , who opted for lamb pasanda ( £6.10 ) — the foursome had a riotous time by all accounts . ‘ David Mellor and his family have been coming to my restaurant for 18 years and they are my very good friends , ’ says Moziruddin . ‘ It breaks my heart that his career has been ruined . He has so much charisma and we should all be allowed to make one mistake in life . ’ Moziruddin 's clients also include Labour frontbencher Michael Meacher and Party colleague Peter Hain .
Idiom: in the nick of time (used idiomatically: yes)
Al ; though the two ramps were identical no one had previously considered joining them together until now . Andover had closed down and the ramp was just waiting for fate . As it happened the new ramp section was only just rescued from a bulldozer in the nick of time as the skate scene said a final goodbye to Andover skatepark . 1984 The dream to join the two ramps together to make a 32 ft wide superramp was finally realised this year and the work was completed in March .
Idiom: pass the buck (used idiomatically: yes)
Especially revealing were the warnings from officials to their masters that as far " as possible mention of the British should be avoided " . Indeed Robert Hathaway suggests that the universalist wording of the Truman Doctrine was in part designed to disarm those who suspected a British manoeuvre at America 's expense . These efforts did not stop protests in Congress and the media at the " free - handed " way in which the British had passed " the buck " across the Atlantic . Meanwhile in 1946–47 a lively debate was in progress in London with respect to British policy in the Middle East . Several times during 1946 Attlee questioned whether Britain could meet the heavy costs of a military presence in the Middle East .
Idiom: in my book (used idiomatically: yes)
Er mummy do n't want that I 've had enough what 's today 's date ? Let 's see , it ca n't be then , that 's dad 's birthday , so it must be the twenty third today , look in my little book Mum ma are you doing in your little book er pardon me Right twenty
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: yes)
David Shelley was so taken with her beautiful blond hair and the pink ensemble he accompanied her back to her room and cot , asking Ada no end of awkward questions . During the next week I was able to tell something about our hospital and work . We agreed that a hospital was very much like a ship , and being under fire had made her like a man of war . My letters to my parents at their cottage , No . 1 , the Tackleway , Hastings and to my husband in Tobruk harbour were the source of much comment . I was still not allowed out of doors , except on the lawn on fine days , and it must not have been the good luck of many ‘ fishy’ characters to have had their letters posted by one of ‘ Their Lordships.’
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: yes)
Her voice cracked and she paused , helpless , while her composure fell to pieces around her . ‘ You ca n't run away from it forever , Robyn , surely you see that ? It 's taken you too long to come to terms with Mark 's death — Anne told me a little of how it 's been with you , the way you 've fought the grief and sorrow.’ He lowered his voice , came to her and touched the side of her face with one strong hand . ‘ You ca n't go on blocking it out .
Idiom: take the plunge (used idiomatically: yes)
This comes in the wake of a Labour Party survey showing fundholders nationally making profits as high as £ 100,000 and being given four times the amount non - fundholders are for spending on computers . As the EADT reported last month , the number of fundholders in Essex is set to soar over the next year . The existing 13 practices will be joined by 20 others by the start of next month and a further 25 are preparing to take the plunge in a year 's time . That will mean fundholding GPs covering more than 14 per cent of the county 's population . Fundholders and those planning to join the scheme need huge amounts of support from the FHSA in preparing patient lists , accounts , computer back - up and regular monitoring .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
If you invest a little money and buy , for example , an exercise tape or jogging shoes or a leotard or a piece of exercise equipment , you will have added incentive for the start of your fitness schedule . It could be that you are a very sociable , competitive sort . Obviously you might be better joining a club to participate in sport . You can also combine or alternate these outings with at - home exercise sessions if you wish . No matter what your chosen activity ( dance , aerobics , yoga , weight - lifting , tennis and so on ) there is a good chance that some class or club will be available near you and that you can join .
Idiom: on the carpet (used idiomatically: yes)
Ruth had thought it was the police coming after them and , stupidly , she relaxed . Then she saw the water . It came as if Undry had called it , slipping under the door and pooling on the carpet . She heard Adam gasp , and panic went through her like an electric shock . The front door burst open .
Idiom: add insult to injury (used idiomatically: yes)
In the 82nd minute , Hateley guaranteed Rangers ' win with a goal that heralded an unfortunate end to the night for Dykstra . The goalkeeper lay injured following a collision with a team - mate when Mikhailichenko gathered the loose ball on the byeline and squared it to Hateley for a goal easier come by for Rangers than had seemed possible in the early stages of the match . To add insult to injury , Dykstra was beaten again twice in the dying seconds — Hateley turning in a cross from McCall and , with the goalkeeper in obvious distress , Mikhailichenko stealing in to score the fourth . Blunder lets in Brechin BRECHIN stretched their lead at the top of the Second Division with 1 - 0 win over their nearest rivals , Clyde , thanks to an amazing blunder by the home goalkeeper , Scott Howie , in the 67th minute .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: yes)
He wrote to Liza , did his best to forget about her and , to give him his due , refrained from much of his previous philandering and settled down to perform , with commendable efficiency , his duties in a commandeered house off Pall Mall . If , later on , he made rather too much of his lucky escape from one of Hitler 's flying bombs , describing the eerie cutting out of the engine noise seconds before it dropped , the blinding flash , the tall plume of smoke as it came to its final resting place in what was known as Bomb Alley — the route from bases in the Pas de Calais , via Kent to the capital — it was , perhaps , understandable . He liked to give the impression he had been under fire — of a sort . Freddie had been distressed when , through the grapevine , he heard of Liza 's marriage , early widowhood and demobilisation from the ATS on the grounds of pregnancy . He was even more distressed when , on another of his leaves , his wife , Fiona , started talking about a divorce .
Idiom: tie the knot (used idiomatically: yes)
Crystal and crew milk their dilemma for laughs and overlay it with sentiment , transforming their ordeal into something like a group therapy session , with cows . Three thirty - something friends find themselves locked into relationships with a broad selection of female stereotypes . Billy Crystal has a perfect wife and beautiful daughter but feels rattrapped trying to support them , Daniel Stern is having an affair with a teenage supermarket assistant and has been reduced to pretending to sleep at social gatherings in order to avoid his nagging wife , and womanising Bruno Kirby has finally tied the knot with a glamorous bimbo half his age ( ‘ soon he 'll be dating sperm’ , observes Crystal ) and agonises over whether he can stay faithful to her . They head off on a cattle drive , all hoping they can somehow solve their problems by fulfilling childhood cowboy fantasies . A herd of cattle may seem an odd place to look for the meaning of life but it fits neatly with current American pop- psychology : no doubt these urban liberals have packed copies of Robert Bly 's ‘ Iron Jack’ in their saddlebags .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
examine that report and wait for the results of the erm public consultations . So what I am suggesting is that you do n't accept this resolution and you accept a modified or amended version of it . I 'll second it for the time being . Well actually forget what to say well erm thank you Richard for erm putting forward a very touching case I am sure we all share the sympathy of the Hatfield further job loses , but there are major opportunities and we should not prejudge those opportunities as yet . The , the Labour Party was seeking to actually to the value of the airfield .
Idiom: play with fire (used idiomatically: yes)
But I 'm the only one capable of setting it alight.’ ‘ You 're what?’ Even though she knew she was playing with fire , knew exactly how vulnerable she was , Shannon wanted to laugh in his arrogant face . Instead she shook her head abruptly , injecting as much scorn into her voice as she was capable of . ‘ I 'd thank you to let me up , Mr Jacobsen .
Idiom: and then some (used idiomatically: no)
‘ I am.’ ‘ What , if anything , have you found out?’ ‘ Some , and then some more.’ I tapped my hooter like I was shooting ducks in a cracker barrel . ‘ I 've been sniffing around and nothing about this city smells kosher .
Idiom: on ice (used idiomatically: yes)
The £ 2.6 m first phase of new technology and mining techniques has been installed at Point of Ayr . TUC research officer Simon Jones said : ‘ We understood the Secretary of State to give us an assurance that the investment plans would continue . ‘ But the following Tuesday , British Coal 's area director visited Point of Ayr and said the second phase would not go ahead during the review period , which effectively means development plans at Point of Ayr are on ice.’ Les Kelly , North Wales secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers , claimed that the shelving of investment contravened the moratorium . ‘ It is clear that David Hunt has no influence over BC 's decision on new investment.’
Idiom: high and low (used idiomatically: yes)
Even if your students are studying Business English without working for the LCCI exams , Written English for Business offers a varied selection of realistic Business English writing tasks . Written English for Business places the emphasis firmly on practice — just what students need to build their confidence . With its clear , simple layout , essential notes on the marking , realistic documents , and full comments on both high- and low - scoring answers , these three compact volumes are perfectly suited for use in class or for self - study . Confidence in LCCI exams ! Confidence in written Business English !
Idiom: touch wood (used idiomatically: yes)
it . Yeah . Touch wood . Touch wood please . Erm the team we beat last week
Idiom: high and low (used idiomatically: yes)
For instance , it has been suggested that the prejudiced themes exist at a psychologically deeper level than the denial of prejudice . Therefore , the prejudiced themes are held to indicate the ' genuine ' attitudinal structure . Such a division into higher and lower ( genuine and superficial ) themes can be seen in the classic work on the psychology of prejudice , The Authoritarian Personality ( Adorno et al . , 1950 ) . Recognizing that authoritarians did not phrase their bigotry in unqualified statements , Adorno et al .
Idiom: head over heels (used idiomatically: no)
She turned out the light . Fergus woke in utter darkness , wondering where he was ; he felt as though he was falling backwards forever into darkness . For an instant he thought perhaps he was dead , consigned to perdition and gloom until the end of time , his only sensation that of falling back and back and back , head over heels forever . He heard himself moan , and felt with his hands : bedclothes . He was still wearing his own clothes , too .
Idiom: keep mum (used idiomatically: yes)
Enough space even to make a stop at a Le Havre supermarché worthwhile . But first we are faced with the prospect of a decently brisk run there , and in horribly wet and miserable conditions . RR still keeps mum about its power outputs and on performance will only say the Brooklands will do ‘ in excess of 125mph’ and 0–60 mph in ‘ less than 10secs’ . Most of the time with this car it simply is n't important : in town and at up to 50 mph , performance is sufficient , not least because it is so responsive , so effortless . Both are adjectives difficult to apply to brisk cross - country motoring .
Idiom: stake a claim (used idiomatically: yes)
Thomas Fuller , writing in 1655 , had the answer : ' Grant them drained , and so continuing ; as now the great fishes therein prey on the less , so the wealthy men would devour the poorer sort of people … and rich men , to make room for themselves , would jostle the poor people out of their commons . ' For small farmers and commoners , drainage generally meant at best higher rents , at worst dispossession . Those undertaking the drainage were quick to stake their claim to the best bits of land . Thus James Bentham writes of the Fens : ' The smallest spots , however , scattered or remote , which first showed themselves above the surrounding waters , were eagerly seized upon by these watchful discoverers , and claimed as part of their allotted reward . ' It was a similar story in Somerset in the same period , worsened by the fact that access to the moor along the old drove - ways was severed by the new drainage ditches .
Idiom: get up someone's nose (used idiomatically: yes)
She was sitting on his bed with a blanket around her shoulders , trying on his flying - helmet . After a while she noticed his reflected look and looked back , chewing on the leather chinstrap . The drying lather got up his nose , and he sneezed . More dry lather flew off and drifted away . ‘ I 'm sick of that question,’ he said .
Idiom: break ranks (used idiomatically: yes)
Where was the breakthrough to come from ? The Government could only be brought down if sufficient Conservatives were prepared to vote with Labour and Liberal MPs to defeat it in the House of Commons , forcing a new election or opening the way to a reconstituted anti - fascist National Government . Such a split in the Tory ranks had no precedent , and would only become imaginable when public outrage at Government policy was aroused to such a pitch of fury that large numbers of Conservative backbenchers felt obliged to break ranks . Moreover the Labour Party would also have to be prepared to co - operate with Liberals and dissident Conservatives in the formation of a new Government . Most Labour stalwarts , patient people who had set their sights on achieving un - encumbered Labour rule however long it took , were distinctly unenthusiastic about such a prospect .
Idiom: not much cop (used idiomatically: yes)
But I did feel cold and I tired easily . Then one day I had to go to the Post Office for something — one of them forms I daresay — so I thought I better wrap up , I better take care , you 're very vulnerable after a long illness you know , and I put my old long mack on and one of the kids ' mack hats and Wellingtons and I went out in the rain , feeling , in a depressed sort of way , ‘ Well , if I get ill again , what can I do ? I 'm meant to be well now and it 's not much cop.’ Then , after I 'd walked about a bit and done my errands I suddenly felt much better . It seemed a warm sort of rain , not a harsh wind you know .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
Why not also a Charter for the Reader , covering expected book provision in schools , public libraries , colleges and universities ? There is surely no more important right in society than the right to read . Turmoil is the word that comes to mind when one looks at the evolving British education system . Publishers and booksellers will have to pick their way through a landscape made strange and problematic by change . We have Parents ' Charters , Patients ' Charters , Passengers ' Charters .
Idiom: in light of (used idiomatically: no)
Male speaker I 've asked myself that time and time again . In the cold light of day I wonder Voice over The Princess of Wales is backing the awards and finalists will get to meet her if their names are selected .
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
The Tokyo summit called for all ed poorest , most indebted including the possibility of earlier action on the stock of debt . You will certainly not find a more determined or persistent advocate of full Trinidad terms than Britain . But economic reform also needs good government and these are the two major planks of Britain 's aid policy for Africa . A free press and the close scrutiny of freely elected assemblies will help to root out corruption and mis - management . A conscious decision is needed to get government out of things the private sector does better and to concentrate government on the basic things that only governments can do .
Idiom: speak volumes (used idiomatically: yes)
In fact , it does n't have to be anything properly identifiable as a deed to communicate interpretable evidence . A blush , a hangdog posture or a limp handshape can all convey information and experts in so - called body language — horrid phrase — have compiled long lists of postures and gestures from which an observant onlooker can glean some information about the attitudes or intentions of others . Mere ‘ presence’ can speak volumes . Someone who turns up at an occasion which is known to be an ordeal for him communicates information whether he wishes to or not . His unexpected presence may be interpreted , rightly or wrongly , as a deed deliberately intended to express his courage or defiance .
Idiom: game on (used idiomatically: yes)
We could have tossed a coin for Ayresome Park or Old Trafford if both clubs had agreed . ‘ United manager Alex Ferguson was not keen on the idea . Maybe he did not want a second game on their pitch.’ Midfielder Willie Falconer could figure in a Boro first - team squad for the first time since September . Falconer would welcome a return to Old Trafford .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: no)
That 's what you 're talking about . ' She sniffed , and smiled a bit , but not too much because if there is one thing worse than someone who does n't understand you it 's someone who understands perfectly , before you 've had a chance to have a good pout about not being understood . ' The thing is , ' she said , ' that he still thinks I 'm the person he used to know when we all lived in the old hole in the bank . You know , running around . Cooking things .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: no)
TV 's evergreen[heart-throb VINTAGE romeo Ian McShane was lost for words on his daughter 's wedding day . For once the Lovejoy actor 's old-fashioned charm deserted him as he plucked up courage to pass on some advice on her marriage lines . The evergreen heart-throb thought he should be an expert on the subject having been wed three times . After all , as a reformed boozer and hellraiser , the antiques rogue-show star has experienced more than his share of knock-downs in the auction room of life . There were lots of little gems of advice that he wanted to offer his daughter , but Ian could only look blankly at her as he steeled himself to give her away .
Idiom: burst someone's bubble (used idiomatically: yes)
He did n't once look in her direction . ‘ Charming,’ Polly muttered under her breath as he vanished below . But she refused to allow his surliness to burst her bubble of well - being . Some people simply were n't at their best first thing in the morning . When he came back on deck she tried once more to make conversation .