Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
Forty years ago , Bhutan ’s fourth king , young and newly installed , made a remarkable choice : Bhutan should pursue “ gross national happiness ” rather than gross national product . Since then , the country has been experimenting with an alternative , holistic approach to development that emphasizes not only economic growth , but also culture , mental health , compassion , and community . Dozens of experts recently gathered in Bhutan ’s capital , Thimphu , to take stock of the country ’s record . I was co - host with Bhutan ’s prime ~ minister , Jigme Thinley , a leader in sustainable development and a great champion of the concept of “ GNH . ” We assembled in the wake of a declaration in July by the United ~ Nations General ~ Assembly calling on countries to examine how national policies can promote happiness in their societies .
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: yes)
Dr Nicholas Parkhouse had come to Kurdestan in 1985 under arrangements set up by International Medical Relief , a body linked to the French Medecins sans Frontières which was organizing a medical assistance operation spanning both sides of the frontier at the request of KDPI leader Qassemlou . An interesting sidelight on battlefront conditions came from his remarks that the Peshmerga brought in for attention mainly tended to be suffering from wounds to their limbs from weapons such as Kalashnikovs , since those who sustained head or body injuries generally failed to get as far as a field hospital . Fighting in the north was seldom on the same massive scale as in the centre and south , although this sector had its share of offensives as mountaintops commanding important centres like Suleimaniyah and Haj Omran changed hands . The peak that featured most often in battlefront reporting was Jabal Kardmend . Another geographical feature often in the news was the Panjwin salient , a narrow tongue of territory stretching out into Iran from east of Suleimaniyah , attacked by Iran in Val Fajr No 4 in October 1983 .
Idiom: jump to conclusions (used idiomatically: yes)
Had she added up the facts wrongly , found him guilty more because it was what she had feared than that it was the truth ? ' Having doubts , are you , Fran ? Wondering if you jumped rather hastily to conclusions ? ' There was a cool sarcasm in his tone that stung , and her head lifted . ' Maybe .
Idiom: turn the corner (used idiomatically: yes)
Not for the first time , John Hogan at Marlboro played his skilful middleman 's role . Niki re - signed , for better terms than Dennis had offered , but less than he had wanted . Both men 's pride was assuaged and one could sense that a corner had been turned , that the two last races of the season would be run with strict fairness and impartiality . On the day , Prost was unbeatable . On a new ultra - smooth track , and in a race which began with a multi - car shunt at the start , he drove an absolutely perfect race , while Niki got himself held up in traffic by the inexperienced Mauro Baldi and could do no better than finish fourth .
Idiom: rise to the occasion (used idiomatically: yes)
Carrying the banner of the nuclear industry , it was well aware of what it meant to be a target for the new generation of environmentalists . Walter Marshall had a natural flair for public relations , During the long - running Sizewell Inquiry on a Pressurised Water Reactor ( PWR ) , he had upstaged Friends of the Earth by donating his tie to a campaign jumble sale . Later , when serious - minded Scandinavians handed in a dead salmon , Sir Walter would rise to the occasion by sending down his chef to collect it . When the 1983 demonstration arrived outside the CEGB , it was witnessed by just a handful of press : foreign TV , the Guardian , the Morning Star , and local radio . Still uncertain of what tone to adopt , the campaigners brought six people dressed as Santa Claus , including , incognito behind his cottonwool whiskers , one Greenpeace Santa .
Idiom: keep your fingers crossed (used idiomatically: yes)
on the other hand , if they are unmoved by the first track or two , it is unlikely they will bother with numbers three to fifteen anyway . But whether they love you or loathe you , never expect to get your property back . Just think of it as a loss leader and keep your fingers crossed . 3 . Gigs
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: no)
He walked round the back of the car and busied himself with the boot . The Peugeot drove past . He waited , seeing it well out of sight down the straight road . A few more cars sped by . He climbed back in .
Idiom: wear the trousers (used idiomatically: yes)
Well I 've got nine now If you get any more you 've got to put one back on the bottom of the pile Which duke was denied entrance to a club because he was wearing trousers ? Duke Ellington , The Duke of Wellington or The Duke of Edinburgh ? Depends on which way he comes
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: no)
Her face , I 'm afraid , was neither a thing of beauty nor a joy for ever . She had an obstinate chin , a cruel mouth and small arrogant eyes . And as for her clothes … they were , to say the least , extremely odd . She always had on a brown cotton smock which was pinched in around the waist with a wide leather belt . The belt was fastened in front with an enormous silver buckle .
Idiom: fall from grace (used idiomatically: yes)
Other leading intellectuals were also told to leave the party and their job . The ‘ harvest reckoning’ referred to earlier by Kelly , came near the end of the winter . Perhaps the most dramatic fall from grace was the case of Hu Yaobang . He had not been seen in public since 29 December , an indication that he was in trouble . Rumours of his imminent eclipse were confirmed on 16 January when Hu 's resignation was announced .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
' But I am older , Mamma . Ca n't you see ? ' Rose turned her dark head to look at Lee , chuckling . ' Why so you are . Why , you tower over me .
Idiom: in the buff (used idiomatically: yes)
Wild thing : as much in common with farmed salmon as Caroline Cossey with Mother Theresa A Shave in the Life IN THE BUFF WITH ROGER McGOUGH Morning becomes the Liverpool poet Early Morning Poem 1
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
7.5.1.1 the Centre or any part of the Centre or its essential accesses or services are damaged or destroyed [ by any of the Insured Risks][or otherwise]so as to render the Premises or any part of them unfit for occupation or use and 7.5.1.2 payment of the insurance money is not refused in whole or in part by reason of any act or default of the Tenant or anyone at the Premises expressly or by implication with the Tenant 's authority while under the Tenant 's control and in the employment of the Tenant the provisions of clause 7.5.2 shall have effect 7.5.2 When the circumstances contemplated in clause 7.5.1 arise the rents or a fair proportion of the rents according to the nature and the extent of the damage sustained shall cease to be payable until the date which falls 3 months after the date when the Premises with essential accesses and services are again rendered fit for occupation and use and a due proportion of the rents paid in advance shall be refunded to the Tenant any dispute as to such proportion or the period during which the rents shall cease to be payable to be determined in accordance with the Arbitration Acts 1950 to 1979 by an arbitrator to be appointed by agreement between the parties or in default by the President for the time being of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors upon the application of either party 7.6 Reinstatement and termination if prevented 7.6.1 If and whenever during the Term :
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
Lawrence — was it Women in Love or Lady Chatterley ? — comes into Robyn 's head . ' She felt in a wave of terror the grey , gritty hopelessness of it all . ' How she wishes she were back in her snug little house , tapping away on her word - processor , dissecting the lexemes of some classic Victorian novel , delicately detaching the hermeneutic code from the proairetic code , the cultural from the symbolic , surrounded by books and files , the gas fire hissing and a cup of coffee steaming at her elbow . She passes launderettes , hairdressers , betting shops , Sketchleys , Motaparts , Currys , a Post Office , a DIY Centre , a Denture Centre , an Exhaust Centre . An exhaustion centre is what she will soon be in need of .
Idiom: play the field (used idiomatically: yes)
Obviously there is less conflict if the commitment is shared by both partners , but it can become a source of tension and disagreement . Parents are not the only people to be relegated when couples are establishing a joint identity . We have already referred to those who find it difficult to give up ‘ playing the field’ and continue to behave as if they are still single . Ordinary friendships and activities outside the marriage can also cause tension if they take no account of marital commitments , as another young woman found out : ‘ Christopher got this money and spent it on a holiday skiing .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: yes)
He had been paired off with Whitlock . When Philpott received official permission to increase his field operatives from twenty to thirty he put Sabrina with them to form the original Strike Force Three . Less than a year later Rust and Sabrina were on a routine stakeout at the Marseilles docks when they had come under heavy fire from a gang of drug smugglers and Rust was hit in the spine , leaving him paralysed from the waist down . He was initially given a senior position at the Command Centre in the United Nations but when the head of the European operation died in a car crash … which was subsequently proved to have been an accident and not sabotage as originally thought … Philpott surprised many of his team by appointing him , and not Kolchinsky , as the dead man 's successor .
Idiom: across the board (used idiomatically: yes)
They seemed in total harmony , but then one of them wanted to be free . One of life 's little comforts . Throughout July everything is reduced right across the board . Three piece suites , dining suites , beds and bedroom furniture , coffee tables , T V cabinets . There 's bargains for everyone and the prices are absolutely knockout .
Idiom: in this day and age (used idiomatically: yes)
Good . A man bought three box of Dutch cigars . Good lord how appalling in this day and age ! Three boxes ! At X pence per box , and two boxes of Havana cigars at Y pence per box .
Idiom: to the tune of (used idiomatically: yes)
Having resolved never to let it happen again , she aims to provide not only for her retirement but for her daughter Gemma , aged ten , who with luck will be well settled into her career by the time Margaret 's DOUBLE PAYOUT policy matures . Mindful of her husband 's death in a road accident abroad , Margaret particularly appreciates the additional , no - cost fatal accident cover that the policy provides . If the same should happen to her , Margaret knows that Gemma will benefit to the tune of at least DOUBLE the original basic sum assured . Low - cost cover to suit YOUR requirements . CHOOSE THE COVER YOU WANT — FROM JUST £ 7.50 A MONTH
Idiom: up a tree (used idiomatically: yes)
Even Mr Grovey would never have got anyone to work in a pair with Zacchaeus ! Now Jesus came to town one day and everyone — including Zacchaeus — wanted to get a look at this healer who they 'd heard so much about . Zacchaeus knew he would n't get a very good look at Jesus because he was too short to see over the heads of the crowd , so he shinned up a tree . All went according to plan and as Jesus came into view Zacchaeus could see him clearly . He was a bit disappointed actually ; Jesus looked so ordinary .
Idiom: save face (used idiomatically: yes)
Urban 's pro - French foreign policy during the Thirty Years War had left him in an exposed position when Richelieu joined forces with Protestant Sweden to thwart the restoration of Catholicism in Germany . Instead of condemning the alliance , Urban insisted that the war was one of state , not of religion , inviting the criticism that he was putting political expediency before religious necessity . It is not impossible that his severity on Galileo was one way of saving face — an attempt to placate prominent Jesuits still smarting from wounds that Galileo had inflicted on their colleagues in earlier debates about the nature of sunspots and comets . Relationships had been soured by Galileo 's protracted debate with Horatio Grassi , the leading mathematician of the Jesuit College in Rome , who had followed Tycho Brahe in treating comets as real , self - luminous bodies located beyond the moon — in contrast to Galileo 's theory that they were merely optical effects , produced by the reflection of sunlight in thin vapors . And there had been a long - standing feud with Christopher Scheiner , who had incensed Galileo by borrowing his telescopic discoveries for his own ends .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
These shortfalls have increased in recent years due to cultivators avoiding cash crops altogether which attract poor prices , bureaucratic and policy - making bungling , and to a general neglect of the building up of physical and institutional infrastructure to aid farming . Second , there is as yet no land shortage , and new land can still be taken into cultivation without much problem . The case of Operation Food Production launched in 1980 is such an example , where enormous state farms have been set up to solve the ‘ food problem’ once and for all . Therefore , soil erosion is a problem faced by small farmers and pastoralists who are politically weak , by large commercial farmers , who can either move on or , in the case of Europeans , leave Zambia altogether . The financial support of the state apparatus and the ‘ spoils and patronage’ system that is a part of it , lies in mining , not in small farmer production .
Idiom: in business (used idiomatically: no)
They are reviled if they lose money , and assailed if they make it . For banks and their shareholders , it looks a case of heads they win , tails we lose . Thus , as banks return to profitability , politicians in North ~ America and Europe have begun to talk again about new taxes that would skim those profits off to the benefit of taxpayers , whose support kept banks in business at the height of the crisis . This is a huge contrast with the financial sector ’s position in the previous three decades . From the late 1970s until 2007 , the financial sector grew far more rapidly than the real economy .
Idiom: at a snail's pace (used idiomatically: no)
That was my first impression of a city whose disastrous birth rate has made it the largest in the world , a vast expanse of concentrated housing broken only by open spaces of baked earth where the wind - blown dust swirled , and far away to port the snow - capped volcanic hulks of Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl towering huge through the burnt brown atmosphere . ‘ We 'll dump our things at the hotel,’ Ward said , ‘ and if there 's time we 'll have a look round.’ The landing was a smooth one , but once we were inside the terminal building everything moved at a snail 's pace , the queue at immigration long and slow moving . When it was our turn I found he had been right about the word antiquarian giving the immigration officers something to think about . They were a good ten minutes arguing over what it meant , even calling in the senior officer on duty , who spoke a little English .
Idiom: jobs for the boys (used idiomatically: yes)
Councillor claims proof of Monklands jobbery By Susan Dean A MONKLANDS regional Labour councillor said yesterday that he has proof to back up allegations of ‘ jobs for the boys’ in Monklands District Council . John Murphy , regional member for Coatbridge North and Glenboig , challenged the claim by the Monklands District Council leader , Jim Brooks , that allegations about the Labour - controlled authority 's jobs practice are unfounded . Cllr Murphy told The Scotsman : ‘ Councillors have told me that they have been put under pressure when short - leeting.’
Idiom: body blow (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Too weak . Ramadan,’ he would say and close his eyes as the hot air dried him in seconds and I retreated even further under the wilting greenery . The heat had gradually become an expected body blow which was endurable with certain rules . Do n't move too quickly , hug the shade , breathe quietly . Though I 'd learned that the black abaya dropped the temperature by degrees , and though I 'd worn both veil and coat at various odd times , such as in storms , or in the desert heat , the sight of a European woman in such an outfit on an ordinary day in a compound or town would be more than anyone , including myself , could take .
Idiom: fly the flag (used idiomatically: no)
A month after the offensive had begun , a fairly typical internal report — from the Government President of Swabia — eulogized : ' All followed the burgeoning world - historical success with breathless tension , proud admiration , and praise for the brave troops and the Führer 's genius . This was even more the case , since our losses were again relatively small . The Führer 's call to fly flags on 5 . 6 . 1940 met with a joyful response everywhere .
Idiom: come of age (used idiomatically: yes)
That post bellum decade was ushered in by financial scandals , bank panics and a restructuring of the financial system . The recession of the 1870s was shallow , but one that took the economy a long time to climb out of . With the recovery , though , came a boom that confirmed America 's coming of age as an industrial and financial power . Today 's investor with a bent for history — and therefore an appreciation for the long term — would not be nearly as cheerless as his short - term friends . The historian - punter would be sitting in bonds ( which have rallied in the past few months ) waiting patiently to switch back to equities , starting cautiously in the middle of this year , and so to ride the bull market of the mid-1990s .
Idiom: give and take (used idiomatically: yes)
Thus , the present arrangements are working reasonably well . If the current ( and proposed ) restrictions were eased , and cycles were carried on a ‘ first come , first served’ basis , you would find many customers willing to accept this . Obviously there has to be ‘ give and take’ on both sides ; for example , I would not expect to be guaranteed a space for the cycle if I turned up without a reservation . In view of these comments , I would be grateful if would re - consider the proposed ban and the extension of charges . Dear Mr. Rifkind ,
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
Note that where the speaker /writer is deliberately flouting a convention , upsetting an expectation for a stylistic effect , he can only bring off that effect because the convention /expectation exists . The ‘ non - limerick’ which follows only makes an effect in the light of the conventional structure for limericks which have a characteristic rhythm and an aabba rhyme scheme : ( 31 ) There was a young girl of St Bees , Who was stung on the nose by a wasp When asked ‘ Does it hurt?’ She replied ‘ Yes it does , But I 'm glad it was n't a hornet.’ The principle of analogy is one of the fundamental heuristics which hearers and analysts adopt in determining interpretations in context .
Idiom: free rein (used idiomatically: yes)
She had n't been as long in this job as her last one , yet she knew there was a positive danger that she might soon be scouring the situations vacant columns again . She went home that night having had to bring all her professionalism to bear in order to concentrate on the job in hand . Back at her flat , though , she made herself a cup of tea and was able to give her thoughts free rein — all of them centred on Naylor Massingham . Why had n't she told him straight out that she was not his cousin 's girlfriend ? And oh , why had n't Travis tacked on the surname Massingham when referring to his cousin ?
Idiom: step on it (used idiomatically: no)
In the third quarter Bridgend had little difficulty in wiping out an 11-point deficit , Huw Bevan supporting Aled Williams 's break for their second try . It was a magnificent fightback and such was Welsh distress that they never looked like preventing it . ‘ We have taken a step backward , ’ Ryan said — and on this sorry evidence it looks as if it will be backwards all the way when the Test takes place at Cardiff Arms Park on 4 November . As the Welsh squad do not meet again until 30 October , time has all but run out . Rugby Union : Summit a total success for Bath
Idiom: on the ball (used idiomatically: yes)
Take some of the pale brown fondant — about 100 g ( 4 oz ) -and roll out to a 9x10 cm ( 3½x4inch ) rectangle . Transfer carefully to a piece of foil or non - stick paper and cut out the centre of the rectangle to leave a thin frame of fondant . Carefully press on a tiny ball of brown fondant for the handle and leave to harden for at least 48 hours . 3 When the frame is dry , place the royal icing in a piping bag with a medium writing nozzle .
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
He paid dividends , of course when he paid any — out of fresh investment . There was never any real cover for dividends , and the property values now do n't cover one - fifth of his borrowings — from a couple of pension funds and various other institutions as well as from the bank . The shares are worthless , and it goes against the grain to see them still quoted , written down as they are . " " What about the oyster enterprise ? " I asked .
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: yes)
Lay the curtain out flat with the lining uppermost . Place the buckram over the heading allowance with its lower edge level with the marked top edge of the curtain . Turn the top 2 cm ( ¾in ) of curtain and lining over the top edge of the buckram , then tack and machine it in place close to the folded edge ( fig . 32 ) . Turn the buckram down to the wrong side on the marked top edge of the curtain and tack it in place . Plan your pleating arrangement as on page 22–3 .
Idiom: put up or shut up (used idiomatically: yes)
Lady Cumberlege spoke of ‘ an EC form which asked farmers to fill in the number of cows they had —‘figures to be given in whole numbers’ ' . — PA SNP tells Lang to put up or shut up By Joanne Robertson Scottish Political Correspondent IAN LANG , the Scottish Secretary , was challenged yesterday to accuse the Scottish National Party of breaking the deal on the Maastricht Treaty bill or stop a campaign of misinformation by his staff .
Idiom: do a runner (used idiomatically: yes)
Well I did see him , he seemed alright but you see you ca n't tell what people are like , yo you may think they have ni I know . nice personalities but he could now do a runner with our van could n't they ? Yeah . I reckon that 's what honky tonk was on the other night though .
Idiom: once and for all (used idiomatically: yes)
The crisis has starkly revealed the insufficiencies of existing banking supervision . We must go beyond cooperation and establish an EU - wide supervisory authority , particularly in the eurozone . The link between sovereign debt and bank debt has to be broken once and for all . We must end the vicious circle whereby the use of taxpayers ’ funds – more than € 4.5~trillion ( $ 5.7~trillion ) so far – to rescue banks weakens governments ’ budgets , while increasingly risk - averse banks stop lending to businesses that need funds , undermining the economy further . Europe can stop this negative dynamic now with bold action .
Idiom: neither here nor there (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Add it to the bill,’ Nutty said grimly . ‘ It 's only one thousand four hundred and forty pounds . A few hundred more 's neither here nor there.’ Uncle Bean roared with laughter . ‘ I reckon with that hanging over you you 're trying quite hard.’