Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: feel the pinch (used idiomatically: yes)
This limits the activities of the educational institutions in the region and makes it difficult for the administrative centres to do their job , which includes developing technical training projects and teacher training . As a result , she adds , teachers have to pay towards their own training because the Ministry can not provide materials and documents . Schools in the poorest areas , already short of resources , are certainly feeling the pinch . Carvajál pointed out that in rural areas such as those around San Carlos there were schools without functioning water pumps or sanitary services . ‘ It 's rather illogical’ , she points out , ‘ to have a school with no water.’
Idiom: over the counter (used idiomatically: yes)
He also established the American Business Conference , a trade group that caters mainly for smaller firms . As SEC chairman , he may well prove to be a champion not just of small companies but also of order - driven auction markets like his former employer and the New York Stock Exchange . That would not be welcomed by NASDAQ , the quote - driven over - the - counter market that has usurped much of the two older exchanges ' business . Mr Levitt may be more inclined than his predecessor , Richard Breeden , to prod the conclusions of Market 2000 ( an SEC study of American equity markets , now nearing completion ) towards keeping regulations that protect auction markets . At 62 , Mr Levitt is both older than Mr Breeden and considered less abrasive .
Idiom: get to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
Only last week Claire won the ladies singles title at the East Cork championships defeating experienced international player Lesley O'Halloran — ten years her senior , incidentally — in the final . Crime alert FAILURE to get to grips with the problem of young offenders will result in ‘ a natural breeding ground for long - term criminality and even terrorism’ , the RUC Police Federation has warned . An editorial in the current edition of ‘ Police Beat’ , the Federation 's official magazine , said : ‘ The message must be hammered home that crime does n't pay . Europe boost for Belfast game
Idiom: to the tune of (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We ca n't deny the other 11 states the right to progress . Germany has taken on board much of the Social Charter but it is its economy we are all trying to match.’ He points out that Clwyd benefits from the EC 's regional policy to the tune of about £ 10 m a year . Wrexham , Shotton , Flint and Rhyl are travel - to - work areas all qualifying for grant aid under a European Regional Objective designed to revive run - down industrial areas . If the treaty is not ratified Mr Wilson suggests there will be no extra money in the budget and Clwyd could well lose Euro grants .
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
Of course , it is hardly the fault of the credit industry that government macro - economic policy encouraged a consumer boom followed by a deep recession . But you can be a bit sickened by the effect as you pass the new crop of boarded - up shops and closing down sales . For those who went to see the Christmas lights in London 's Regent Street this year , it must have been a sombre experience ; out of 102 shops , 19 are empty and 38 had desperate pre - Christmas sales . If that can happen to one of the most prestigious shopping streets in the world , we can be sure that dispossessin ' is in for a good run . Back in Japan
Idiom: in broad daylight (used idiomatically: yes)
Tom and Mary 's house was broken into in broad daylight , while the family was in the garden .
Idiom: call someone's bluff (used idiomatically: yes)
He could fall entirely , of course , and be demoted still further , with no hope of escape . That was what they wanted , the ones who controlled the whole seedy show ; the Tormentors . They seemed to want him to try and call their bluff , to stand up and say : " Right , I know what it 's all about , you can drop the pretence . Come out wherever you are and let 's get it over with " , but he knew better than that . He had learned that lesson as a child , when the others had laughed at him , and they sent him to see the school shrink .
Idiom: play for time (used idiomatically: no)
Giles Smith in Munich JOHN McENROE bade farewell to top-level tennis last night in much the same fashion as has marked his 15 stormy years on the circuit . While at times playing quite brilliantly , the brash New Yorker picked up a formal warning for swearing at the umpire … typically vintage McEnroe . He ended his singles career by being blasted out of the $6 million Compaq Grand Slam Cup by big-serving Goran Ivanisevic , 3-6 , 6-4 , 6-2 in an hour and 44 minutes . At least he produced one pleasant gesture .
Idiom: high as a kite (used idiomatically: yes)
Mercer Lorrimore is sweet , I 'm so relieved . We have n't had any disasters yet , but there must be one on the way . I 'm as high as a kite and there 's no champagne in the orange juice.’ She stopped for breath and a laugh and I said , ‘ Nell , if Bill Baudelaire asks you if I 'm here , just say yes , do n't say where.’ She was puzzled but too short of time to argue .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: no)
They do n't er , you ca n't see them in the same way you could go and see your parents . And er , this illusion is maintained according to Freud , because of the wishes that people have . These wishes go straight back to childhood , and so religion represents a transference from childhood and a kind of emotional infantilism in which people try and make out that they 're still children , as it were , even though they , even though they really are n't . And then of course , the other characteristics that go with religion , and that he had emphasized in other books on Totem and Taboo , like guilt , the feeling that you ought to obey the moral commands of the parents , because after all the parents were n't just benevolent entities who looked after you and rewarded you and praised you , but they were your judges and censors as well . They punished you when you did the wrong thing , and they rewarded you when , when , when they did , when you did the right thing .
Idiom: unknown quantity (used idiomatically: yes)
On the other hand , wind - power ~ plants on the high seas are an option with many unknown quantities .
Idiom: green light (used idiomatically: yes)
Enlargement of the European ~ Union to include the first batch of applicant countries is now within reach as more and more chapters are closed in the bilateral negotiations . The biggest remaining hurdle concerns the political will among today 's EU members to set the actual dates for enlargement . Later this year , in Prague , NATO 's leaders may also give the green light to the next group of new members . So 2001 can be a crucial year in the never - ending story of the creation of a new and better Europe . This is why relations with Russia must also be placed high on Europe 's agenda this year .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: no)
The catholic nuns , who always had a good heart towards the internees and whom the internees rightly described as " angels " , did their best .
Idiom: black and blue (used idiomatically: yes)
They like a struggle . Same as them posh blokes what come here — they all want to be caned . I 'm telling you , Pat , we go out the back , into the garden and cut a swish from that bleeding forsythia bush , then come back in and beat the buggers ' arses black and blue . Now if they did n't pay us they 'd only pay the Paki down the road . ' Kelly nodded at her .
Idiom: in light of (used idiomatically: yes)
I can not tell — But there , out of the window , among the trees In the blue light of the morning , unseen At first , and then winking — Was one gold star , and then another
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: no)
The A. & P. Gypsies , by the way , were among the very first stars to have a radio ‘ series’— a programme which was broadcast regularly from the same station at the same time of the same day of the week . The Development of Magnetic Recording The principles of magnetic recording had been around for a long time . The principles of the electronic valve were applied to magnetic recording in the late 1920s , so the BBC used steel - tape recorders for repeating programmes for the Empire broadcasting service ( 21 ) . 20 Decca ‘ ffrr’ disc recorder .
Idiom: shrinking violet (used idiomatically: yes)
By Val Sampson . Main picture by Richard McLaren Julie T Wallace has never been a shrinking violet — which is probably just as well , as it would be almost impossible for her to fade quietly into the background . She cheerfully describes herself as a ‘ big girlie’ . And at almost six foot tall , with a mane of thick hair and a fascinating face which can be transformed from seriously plain to startlingly attractive — witnessed by her TV debut success in The Life And Love Of A She - Devil — she has an extra - large helping of outspoken opinions to match .
Idiom: make the cut (used idiomatically: yes)
Congressmen , relieved that they no longer have to shed their reputations in fighting over Nicaragua , are quite keen to find the $ 300 m that is seen as an inaugural present for Mrs Violeta Chamorro on April 25th . But they have had since January to come up with the $ 570 m that Mr Bush requested as emergency aid and compensation for post - invasion Panama . Congressmen are reluctant to make a defence cut that might pain them in their own districts . And some of them want most of the money to go to Eastern Europe . As they bicker , Panama is flat broke .
Idiom: on the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
Stock checking Stock checking is another form of stock control . The small retailer , such as the ‘ corner shop’ , tends to rely on doing a regular stock - check : this means looking at what goods are on the shelves in the shop and the stockroom , and making a note of any items that are ‘ getting low’ . This method of stock control is not ideal . Products often sell out before the retailer notices , and sales are lost as a result .
Idiom: by dint of (used idiomatically: yes)
By dint of pushing the words back to the beginning of the sentence , there only remained the two of them at the end : Mary , Tom .
Idiom: slip through the net (used idiomatically: yes)
Cost : approx £ 10,000 . At St Mary 's , in Paddington , west London , a senior manager , Ian Robertson , said he thought identifiable unpaid bills were costing the hospital about £ 250,000 a year . But many more could be slipping through the net . ‘ Sometimes you come across patients you feel have been coached on what to say , or who just claim to be residents . That is all they have to do,’ he said .
Idiom: have a screw loose (used idiomatically: yes)
She made a gesture with her crippled hand as though brushing away a cobweb , to dismiss the memory . ‘ They were a queer lot and no mistake.’ Then , putting her knuckles to her head , indicating her brain , she added : ‘ Between you , me and the gatepost , we used to think they had a screw loose.’ ‘ Why Christmas decorations?’ Mungo asked .
Idiom: gild the lily (used idiomatically: yes)
The debate ended on a predictable note of anticlimax . Other publicity seekers had had their thunder stolen . Norman Fowler who , as is customary , devoted the first part of his reply to saying something nice about the speakers ( ' Amaranth Wilikins does not need me to gild her lily . I look forward to her performances on the Government 's front bench ' ) then attacked the Labour Party , sacked the Party 's advertising agency , and called for still greater efforts from the Party 's rank and file . ' You , at least , ' he cried , ' care for the future of our great country .
Idiom: in the lap of luxury (used idiomatically: yes)
He returned the glass , then held out both hands to the fire and rocked on the edge of the chair . ’ Man , whit a heat,’he said . ’ It 's great to be back in the lap of luxury , so it is . It 's a rough night , right enough.’ I poured him another glass .
Idiom: short shrift (used idiomatically: yes)
As far as the spoken word is concerned two parallel traditions are being established in the country . The first is a loosely - structured Hindi . This is spoken in the north and also understood in the eastern and western states ; but it receives short shrift once it ventures to enter the south . The second oral tradition concerns English . A variant of the language has evolved in the course of the past half a century or thereabouts , and is used everywhere .
Idiom: sink or swim (used idiomatically: yes)
In regular group confessionals , the worst performers on any measure have to explain themselves to their peers . Newcomers find it an acutely uncomfortable experience , which , of course , is the idea . The Ohio bank does not leave its newcomers to sink or swim by themselves . One of its first acts is to hook a newly acquired bank into its own computer systems . Properly done , absorbing one system into the other brings immediate savings , particularly from those systems used for processing large amounts of data .
Idiom: she'll be right (used idiomatically: no)
Yes there are two flights of stairs are n't there ? Hmm . Well if she has a hip replacement operation she 'll be all right . Mm Surprising how many of these
Idiom: behind bars (used idiomatically: yes)
Who ? That bloke , he 's got two massive . John , you did n't do that to that gentleman behind the bar did you , smashed his eyes ? Who ? With the black eyes ?
Idiom: lend a hand (used idiomatically: yes)
ALTHOUGH OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY BERNARD , AS ON THIS OCCASION TO DISCUSS BUSINESS PLANS , HER SOLITARY WALKS WERE ONE OF HER MOST REPLENISHING ACTIVITIES AND A VALUABLE SOURCE OF CREATIVE INSPIRATION . LAURA ON THE BEACH NEAR ABERYSTWYTH WITH EMMA IN 1969 . Every able - bodied man employed by the new company was eager to lend a hand with the new buildings . Spurred on by Bernard 's example , Edgar Hughes , Gwenny 's son , was often to be seen with pick or shovel in hand , mixing cement , laying concrete floors , building walls or fitting windows . Dai and Meirion were two other company stalwarts who regularly pitched in with building work in their spare time , or else organized a shift system with the other printers , almost all of whom were happy to volunteer for manual labour .
Idiom: pissed off (used idiomatically: yes)
I guess I 've been lucky in finding people whose playing I love and who I do n't have to tell what to do.’ No slouch on the guitar himself , Matthew has recently expanded his working instrument collection … ‘ I 've been using a Les Paul Gold Top for a long time — a ‘ 59 reissue with P-90s — but I 've got this unfortunate habit of getting pissed off onstage and tossing the odd guitar , so rather than risk the Gold Top any more I 've bought one of these new Hamers , which is styled after a ' 50s Les Paul Special . It 's pretty good . For acoustics I 'm playing mainly Gibson reissues ; I 've got a Hummingbird , which is great , and a J-185 , which is like a small blonde Everly Brothers - style guitar .
Idiom: by dint of (used idiomatically: yes)
By ISABEL HILTON , Latin America Editor THE former president of Argentina and the man responsible for one of the most ill - organised military adventures in history , General Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri , was freed yesterday under a presidential pardon from his comfortable confinement in a suburban military college in Buenos Aires . General Galtieri 's release underlines the fact that the Argentine armed forces may have learned nothing and forgotten nothing , but , by dint of constant pressure on Argentina 's elected leaders , they have moved closer to their goal of rewriting history with themselves in the role of hero . The question now is how much further they will push . ‘ The hardliners will not be satisfied with anything short of a total vindication of the Falklands and the ‘ dirty war’ , ' said one Argentine military analyst .
Idiom: call it a day (used idiomatically: no)
I used to play cricket until about ten years ago , when the A470 was driven through the village pitch . So I joined Glyn-Neath Golf Club instead . ‘ Royal Glyn-Neath ’ , we call it , although in those days it was only a little nine-hole course . I 'm the club 's President for life — great honour , that — and in 1985 we launched the bi-annual Max Boyce Classic to raise money for improvements . Forty celebrities were invited to take part and every single one turned up , a tremendous turnout for a small village .
Idiom: down the tubes (used idiomatically: yes)
Bond Knitting Systems , the innovative craft company that caters for creative people of all ages , has introduced a completely new device into their range of needlecraft products called the BOND Cord Maker . This neat little gadget replaces the old cotton reel studded with nails and is a quick and easy way to produce knitted cords and braids , which can them be combined and used in many ways , such as trimmings , toys appliqué and jewellery . Simply pass the end of the yarn through the threader and down the hollow tube , attach the weight , and away you go , in moments you have a length of cord ready to use however you wish . The Cord Maker comes complete with an explanatory instruction leaflet , containing suggestions for using the finished braids and cords . Bond Cord Maker
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 've no idea and never thought to ask . But here 's fact one : Peter drives a red Ford Escort van and lives in Islington . Actually , that 's two for the price of one , come to think of it.’ ‘ Get on with it.’ ‘ OK , name two is Geoffrey Bell .
Idiom: at a loss for words (used idiomatically: yes)
She saw the look of surprise on Nicolo 's face but then , he could n't have been any more surprised than she was . She had certainly not planned on saying that , it was just that there was no reason to hate an old woman just because you hated her insufferable grandson , especially when she reminded you , in some indefinable way , of your own grandmother — but why should she explain any of that to this man ? She could see that he was at a loss for words — which was reason enough for her to be pleased with her impetuous decision . He nodded , then shifted from one foot to the other . ‘ Well.’
Idiom: for good measure (used idiomatically: yes)
I do n't want him to know we 've got divers aboard and I especially do n't want him to see me taking off with divers in the general direction of the Delos . If we find that there was no spare tank , we shall have to keep an even closer eye on him . And , for good measure , on his dear friend Alexander and his captain , Aristotle . I ca n't believe that that young seaman , Achmed or whatever his name is , or either of the two girls can have anything to do with this . I think they 're along for the purpose of camouflage , respectability , if you will .
Idiom: the ball is in someone's court (used idiomatically: yes)
Board official Stan McIvor said Coopers and Lybrand , which helped the Boards draw up an information technology strategy from 1985 , were supporting the compensation claim . ' There were totally unacceptably delays and quite recently the Boards lodged a full statement of claims with lawyers for McDonnell Douglas , They have asked for more details , and these have now been given . The ball is now in their court , ' he said . The assistant finance officer with the Western Board — the first to been hoped the payroll personnel system would be operational in all boards by 1989 , so a three to four year delay has occurred . ' One of the major problems was that McDonnell Douglas had two packages — one developed for payroll , one for personnel .
Idiom: get on someone's wick (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm sure I know Oh , I tell you what it got on my wick the bitchiness of it all , did n't you , I could n't , I could n't do with it Joy I do n't think everybody I want to do that again
Idiom: lay an egg (used idiomatically: yes)
However , the sex allocation theory that Eric Charnov has developed in his embracing monograph has further implications . Take two examples . Females of several parasitic species of wasp sting weevil larvae , beside which they lay a single egg . If the females release stored sperm , the egg becomes fertilised and develops as a female , otherwise it becomes a male . Given two populations of hosts , one containing equal numbers of 1.0 and 1.4 mm larvae and the other containing 1.4 and 1.8 mm larvae , in each population more female wasps develop from the larger hosts and more males from the smaller .
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
It overrode the pain , as , each slash , cut by the bag , or she kicked at him , just another woe ; as a crashing , endless tide ; all the sins of the world his sadness . ‘ Infidel.’ There was a hush , the street , below the opened window ; , with the slum folk , an age - old code , it was against the grain , to interfere in a thing like this , Rubberneck and his sister . ‘ A fucking shrew,’ one man declared . ‘ The poor do - lally,’ a woman said .
Idiom: leave someone in the lurch (used idiomatically: yes)
[ scratches his Head . ] Smith . Fast , seem Godly , Pray , and go to Church — the Rhyme will be left in the lurch else . This was a smart fit of Rhyming if it had but held out ; I see you have your Poetical Concordance in your head pretty ready . Prithee what Rhimes to Jehova , Chimny , Month , or to Scurvy ?
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
New Scientist 15 August Conservation : Species Record breeding season for rare British birds A combination of ideal weather conditions and careful management of protected sites has resulted in a record breeding season for several of Britain 's rarest bird species , according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB ) . Among those which have reproduced in large numbers are birds of prey , including ospreys , marsh harriers and red kites — the latter having their most successful year for a century , with 79 breeding pairs in Wales raising 93 chicks .
Idiom: in the pink (used idiomatically: yes)
After Ricky'd settled them in the drawing room with drinks , he went in search of Perdita . She was n't on the wooden horse or in the yard or in the tack room . Little Chef tracked her down in the pink dusk at the bottom of the garden , with her arms round an apple tree , sobbing her heart out . ‘ Please God , make Wayne better,’ she was saying over and over again , then started as Little Chef stood up on his stumpy back legs to lick her hand . ‘ I 'm so sorry,’ she wailed .
Idiom: on the ball (used idiomatically: yes)
Not a very good free kick by Mills . It 's hand ball by Stone surely . Thought he placed his hand on the ball anyway he 's got away with it and Phillips at the other end is under pressure from Speedy and that 's a corner off Chettle . That might be enough for Leicester might just give them the time . Breath in concentrate again keep the ball in the Forest half and edge a few seconds closer to victory .
Idiom: on the ball (used idiomatically: no)
In the meantime , a slight disagreement between doctor and patient on the period of recovery . The medics say 6 months before we see him like this again . The cricketer himself seems intent on something earlier ; back on the ball by June . The Atomic Energy Authority is giving some of its protective equipment to the Ukraine to help with the continuing clean - up operation at Chernobyl . The closure of some of Britain 's nuclear facilities means the equipment is n't needed here any more .
Idiom: one of those things (used idiomatically: no)
I can get on to them and ask.’ ‘ Oh , yes — you 're on the telephone now , are n't you ? I 'd feel a proper fool talking into one of those things , but I suppose you 're used to it.’ ‘ Well , we 've had it for several weeks now.’ Ruth was not going to admit that she had never actually made a phone - call herself , but there had to be a first time for everything , and since Connor was out , this would be the ideal opportunity .