Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: muddy the waters (used idiomatically: no)
Once his immediate knowledge had been used up his value , particularly after the Cyprus spy fiasco , was a fast - diminishing asset . He is now a forgotten man who will while away his twilight years alone and insecure in an alien land , longing to return to Russia . The KGB has not been slow to remind its senior intelligence personnel of the isolated lifestyle that awaits them in the West should they be tempted to defect , pointing out the benefits of enjoying a relatively luxurious and secure existence in Russia . It has also sent the West numerous doubtful and bogus defectors to muddy the waters . One of the earliest was Oleg Penkovsky , a lieutenant - colonel in the GRU , who approached MI6 in 1960 with offers of information after having been twice rebuffed by the CIA . A businessman called Greville Wynne was asked to act as a freelance MI6 contact and for the next two years Penkovsky provided an incredible wealth of intimate detail about the Russians ' innermost plans including the period of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
Or perhaps more sophisticated methods are applied along the lines suggested by Friedman 's permanent income hypothesis . No matter : Lucas assumes that workers follow some procedure for arriving at an estimate of their normal or permanent real wage rate . So let us take stock of where we have reached so far in our analysis of the Lucas business cycle model . When prices are fluctuating , general confusion prevails regarding the behaviour of relative prices . In particular workers may come to the conclusion that their real wage rate is fluctuating procyclically ( this surmise may , in fact , turn out to have been erroneous , but that is another story ) : when prices are rising more rapidly than previously , workers suspect that the real wage rate has also risen .
Idiom: in the red (used idiomatically: yes)
Right . Right . thing I told you about lady in red , remember that , a million and a quarter , Mhm . Aha .
Idiom: champ at the bit (used idiomatically: yes)
The South Osetians , we were told , can live to the ripe old age of 140 years or so , due to lack of stress in their lives … a far cry from London living . Finally Friday came . Having been at the end of a queue of Germans and Austrians all champing at the bit to go heliskiing , it was our turn . Up in the MIR 8 — very noisy , very exciting . Relief came when it flew away and left our little group in the quiet on the top of the mountain range .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: yes)
What was that Gerald ? I said , come on have a heart attack . come and have a heart attack So it does n't make sense , and obviously it is n't er , written joint life , last claim . Sorry , can I just ask a question there ?
Idiom: bottom drawer (used idiomatically: yes)
Parliament has chosen to discharge this function by placing primary responsibility upon a scrutiny committee formed especially for the purpose . Had no such provision been made , and had it merely been left to the initiative of backbenchers to keep an eye on instruments tabled , it is highly probable that many instruments would become or remain law with never a critical eye being cast over them . It is technically perfectly lawful for a Minister of the Crown to be empowered to make statutory instruments in such a way that they are never subjected to parliamentary scrutiny — indeed , there is no requirement of promulgation or publication for an instrument to become legally binding and an instrument made by the Minister and cached in his bottom drawer could be as binding as the Theft Act ( although in this situation ignorance might , rarely in our law , offer a defence by reason of s.3(2 ) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 ) . It is , however , contemplated , and is the case , that most instruments must be laid before the House for a period of 40 days , offering adequate opportunity for scrutiny .
Idiom: high and low (used idiomatically: yes)
I am therefore unable to answer this question today , but I will bring the hon . Gentleman 's point to the attention of my right hon . Friend the Chancellor . Mr. Brazier Does my hon . Friend agree that London is only one of several areas where costs are wildly out of line with the national average — sometimes higher and sometimes lower ? It would be healthy for public services and for dole queues if we could move away from national wage bargaining in a variety of areas . Mr. Forth
Idiom: water under the bridge (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'm not suggesting it was malicious ; that was just the result.’ Mr Reed ‘ picked up a bit of consulting work’ following his resignation and heard no more until his arrest five months later . ‘ The night before we were arrested , I had been to dinner with Nick Wells , and I asked him if he had heard anything , and he said : ‘ No , it 's all water under the bridge , I suppose.’ The next time we saw each other was 7 am the next morning at Bishopsgate police station.’ In all , 11 people were arrested that day .
Idiom: off the beaten track (used idiomatically: yes)
His counterpart in Tenderloin has equally pressing concerns on his mind , but the kind that pop kids can relate to . You know — unrequited love , more unrequited love , and a bit of rampant lust to be getting on with . They play early ' 80s - style American guitar rock in the vein of REM circa ‘ Reckoning’ , but with tunes pulled backwards , forwards and sideways off the beaten track by unusual chord progressions and smatterings of psychedelic - tinged guitar . On first encounter it can sound pedestrian , but there 's always something not quite right about the melodies they produce , and the more curiosity that provokes , the more you 're sucked in . For the impatient and cynical , they 've still got nice beat - pop choruses which a chimp could learn and sing but , if you let them , Tenderloin 's just - slightly - strange songs grow in your subconscious like lovable brain tumours .
Idiom: in bed with (used idiomatically: no)
" What sort of advice ? " Jane asked seriously . " Tom Rooney told me to beware of you , not to end up in bed with you . He said I 'd never be rid of you if I did . " The young woman threw back her head and laughed aloud .
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: no)
' Nay , on the contrary — it is but the beginning methinks . ' Joan spoke more from defiance than conviction . ' Out of sight , out of mind , is the practice with youths of his age , ' said the voice of experience . ' I know not why he troubled — keeping us both standing about catching our death of cold ! ' ' He gave me this , ' Joan told her , holding out the ring for inspection .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's been achieved with the help of this satellite . From it 's viewpoint 500 miles above the earth , scientists can scan the whole world . On board is a piece of equipment — a radiometer called the ATSR — which can measure the temperature of the seas . The pictures sent back to earth tell an important environmental story . The sea temperature gives us clues to the changing climate and the possible effects of global warming .
Idiom: do me a favour (used idiomatically: no)
' You think because you 've read a few crappy books you know it all . ' Geoffrey rolled his eyes up towards the roof of the car . ' Do me a favour , Ant … Save all your hag for what we 've got to do tonight . I ai n't in the mood . '
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
not more than 5 % of the issued ordinary share capital for the time being may in aggregate become issuable during the ten year life of the Scheme ; and ( iv ) in any five year period not more than 5 % of the issued ordinary share capital for the time being may in aggregate become issuable under all employee share schemes ; ( v ) in the four year period commencing on the date of adoption of the Scheme not more than 2.5 % of the issued ordinary share capital for the time being may be issued under the Scheme .
Idiom: eat someone out of house and home (used idiomatically: yes)
He growled at the attendant , by now quite tipsy , and demanded another meal . The attendant giggled and came back a few minutes later with another bowl of rice and chicken , which Myeloski despatched with his customary enthusiasm . ' You must eat your wife out of house and home , ' commented Duncan . ' No wife . Divorced five years ago . '
Idiom: as a rule (used idiomatically: no)
So , for example , moves were made to turn revenue spending ( i.e. which had to be paid for out of current income — grants , fees , charges and rates ) into capital spending ( i.e. which could be paid for from loans raised from banks and other financial institutions ) . Spending on housing maintenance was frequently capitalized in the late 1970s and early 1980s . Another increasingly common way round the rules at the time was to engage in lease / lease - back arrangements , which became more and more complicated as the rules surrounding them tried to plug loop - holes , until they were finally outlawed in 1987 . Under these schemes , which had first been developed in the 1970s as a means of raising capital from the private sector for new development , for example , on office and shopping complexes ( i.e. as a means of avoiding constraints on capital spending ) , council property was sold on a long lease to another agency and then leased back for shorter periods until the long lease expired . They were often , in effect , used as ways of borrowing money from commercial banks at slightly higher rates than the commercial market and those guaranteed by the government - sponsored Public Works Loan Board .
Idiom: come of age (used idiomatically: yes)
We sit flummoxed in the parks , among low - caste flowers . Whew ( we think ) , this life is slow . I came of age in the Sixties , when there were chances , when it was all there waiting . Now they seep out of school — to what ? To nothing , to fuck - all .
Idiom: lame duck (used idiomatically: yes)
But four - fifths of Europe 's population was to be found in six states . Russia , Germany , Austria - Hungary , England and France were the ‘ great powers’(or their lineal descendants ) which had made the Vienna settlement . The sixth , Italy , was to prove something of a lame duck in their company , because of her lack of resources . Being a ‘ great power’ meant being able to conduct a big war . Several factors came into this equation , but population was fundamental .
Idiom: over my dead body (used idiomatically: yes)
Besides — ' his lips twitched infuriatingly ' — what 's the matter ? I thought you liked fountains . ' ' Over my dead body ! ' Robyn snapped . ' Or mine , ' he murmured .
Idiom: square the circle (used idiomatically: no)
The rational procedures of Euclid 's Elements of Geometry inspired his own Elements of Philosophy . But , though it was Euclid 's method that first inspired him , the subject - matter of geometry also caught his interest and was something he worked on throughout his life . One result he claimed was a proof that the circle could be squared . Given his initial thought that properly established geometrical results would not be disputable , it is ironical that this claim led to lengthy and acrimonious argument , and brought Hobbes into some disrepute . Finally , besides working on geometry and being influenced by its methods , Hobbes gives it , as the science of simple motions , a foundational role in the explanatory system of his Elements .
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
Robson decided against summoning a replacement , explaining : ‘ With Chris Waddle , David Rocastle and Steve Hodge here , we have the best players of Barnes 's type with us already.’ Waddle will be the one to benefit from Barnes 's absence . The two wingers were , in the manager 's words , ‘ brilliant against Poland at Wembley’ , but tactical considerations had already precluded their selection in tandem next week . Robson is anxious not to fall into the trap which ensnared Alf Ramsey in 1973 , when England sought a draw in Poland with a team packed with defenders and lost 2 - 0 , but sensible precautions will be taken . Until yesterday , these would have seen Barnes deployed on one flank with Rocastle 's defensive awareness earning him a ninth cap at Waddle 's expense on the other .
Idiom: put the boot in (used idiomatically: yes)
We had a most uninteresting conversation but it was extremely illuminating . Every time Shirley was on the telly thereafter , I would notice how she put her head to one side and agreed absolutely with the questioner ‘ except did n't he think that … ’ . This digression is prompted by the experience of watching the Prime Minister trying to horrid to Neil Kinnock twice a week and occasionally trying to put the boot in elsewhere to the Labour Party . The Tories are , wisely , keeping their boy away from most of the rough stuff — rightly recognising that such strengths as he has are in his niceness — but he has to look like he wants to win sometimes . And he does want to win very much — not least because of the aforementioned who are trespassing against him .
Idiom: put two and two together (used idiomatically: yes)
In these days they were feared of their job . There was unemployment going about and the man that had a certain job at making certain things were n't to keen to show the apprentice what to do or give them the recipes . But however you you wangled them some way and you you eventually learnt your trade by half going to classes at night school and half of information from the bakers you had to put two and two together and you worked it out . Was the night school classes were they quite beneficial ? The night school classes were very er efficient because the teachers that taught in the night school were actually bakers .
Idiom: to the letter (used idiomatically: yes)
This letter has a different format from that used in previous years — again , the result of widespread consultation with centres . The new format will make it easier for the person receiving it to pass on relevant information to members of staff with particular subject interests . Details of changes to modules , together with lists of the new modules which will be available for introduction next session , are provided in annexes to this report letter . More letters giving further information about module developments will be sent out later in the year . These will give details on programmes of work and on the progress of developments .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
' I think ' , said Mrs Quigley , sniffing the stale parlour with her long , dog 's nose , ' that there 's a bit of play - acting going on here ! ' Pike leaped into the air . He sort of bounced off the wall as if he was on a piece of elastic and someone had just yanked it from the other end . He whirled round , stood in a kind of ape - like crouch and started to swing his arms in front of him . Mrs Quigley backed away nervously .
Idiom: to the bone (used idiomatically: no)
Mr. Andrew Smith Why does the Minister think that — as the hon . Member for Saffron Walden ( Mr. Haselhurst ) said — those having a close knowledge of adult education , including the voluntary sector , women 's institutes and members of the Conservative party , are so deeply unconvinced by the Minister 's replies that there were half a million signatures to a petition opposing the Government 's proposals ? Is it not the case that the decision to split adult education between a further education funding council and local education authorities is a recipe for disaster for an important sector of education , which has already been cut to the bone as a consequence of the Government 's failed policies ? Mr. Eggar In the context of the Bill , we will ensure that more adult education is available locally , and that it is of better quality .
Idiom: on the game (used idiomatically: no)
Look at the numbers on your card and match them against those following for Game 228 Day 1 . The numbers are : 80 13 32 66 43 22 79 3 30 14 55 72 If you cross off all five numbers on any one of the three horizontal lines on your Game 228 Bingo card , you win a nine-carat gold diamond cluster ring from Elizabeth Duke worth £149 . If there 's more than one winner , they EACH get a ring . To claim your Diamond Line prize , ring the Bingo Hotline in your card between 10.30am and 4pm TODAY .
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
He took it . While Branson was negotiating the purchase of his Caribbean island , the living corpse of the Sex Pistols was slowly kicking itself to final , ignominious extinction . In October 1978 , Sid Vicious — whom Malcolm McLaren had described as ' never seeing a green light ; it was always on red ' — woke up in his room in the Chelsea Hotel , New York , to find the body of his girlfriend , Nancy Spungen , sprawled on the bathroom floor , dead from multiple knife wounds . Vicious was charged with the murder , but released on bail . Four months later , on 2 February 1979 , Sid Vicious finally shot one red light too many , dying from a drugs overdose , naked — so the popular press reported — and in the arms of his latest girlfriend .
Idiom: on paper (used idiomatically: yes)
Remove potatoes from oven , take out of foil and cut into quarters lengthways . Scoop out most of the potato , leaving the skin and a layer of potato , to form a boat shape . Fry 5–6 skins at a time , for 1–2 mins , and drain on absorbent kitchen paper before serving . Place dips in serving dishes . Garnish soured cream and chive dip with chives and sprinkle chopped peppers over tomato dip .
Idiom: seen better days (used idiomatically: yes)
So had the flowers . Slowly Georg got out of the van , looked around to make sure there was no - one who knew him , then he walked quickly across to the station restaurant , entered , and hid himself quickly in a booth that had a view of the rails . Luiza and Freddi were there , Luiza muffled up in a huge and unflattering beaver lamb coat that had seen better days . As they stamped their feet against the cold , Busacher strode towards them , and behind him Alfred , the company baritone who had sung with Therese in Die Fledermaus twenty years before . Willi staggered round the end of the car park , puffing , red - faced and sweating in spite of the old wind .
Idiom: on the ball (used idiomatically: yes)
A village which started looking into its own history has discovered that it used to be somewhere else . In fact , it used to be in TEN other places . The research has also revealed a ghostly army which marches through the village , and a strange old system of farming … based on thirteen wooden balls in a sack Amateur Film / SIMON GARRETT / Yarnton DENNIS CARTER / Meadsman
Idiom: at your fingertips (used idiomatically: yes)
Since so much of extragalactic astronomy hinges upon the redshift / distance relation . Sulentic is not exaggerating when he says that understanding the nature of the link between NGC 4319 and Mrk 205 ‘ is surely one of the most important problems facing extragalactic astronomy’ . Ulcer diagnosis at your fingertips SOME people are more susceptible to duodenal ulcers than others , and the problem for doctors is deciding just who is at risk . New research by C. M. Habibullah and researchers in the Gastroenterology Unit of Osmania University in Hyderabad , India , suggests that the answer may be found in the patient 's fingerprints !
Idiom: part company (used idiomatically: yes)
I feel the Echo should not be obvious . That we should take a more dispassionate view and consider the long - term effects of Briant 's work . And here , I am sad to say , Mr. Moloney and I part company — in terms of points of view , that is.’ He smiled at Moloney , who had not moved . ‘ Not , of course , literally !
Idiom: jump to conclusions (used idiomatically: yes)
And with that he turned towards the window and sank to his knees . Now , this was Howard 's first day in the place ( he reminded the Chases and their guests , preparing them dramatically for what was to come ) and he had some vague impression at the back of his mind , left over perhaps from books he had read and films he had seen , that it was at bottom some kind of ecclesiastical institution . So as soon as he saw Bill Brice sink chubbily to his knees , he jumped to the conclusion that some brief word of informal prayer was going to be said . Had this been any other occasion , he would have lowered his head respectfully and more or less closed his eyes , watching Bill Brice out of the corner of them so as to know when to open them again , and murmuring amen where appropriate . He had a genuine respect for religious feeling .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: no)
As soon as soon as you see a parked car you should be looking to see what 's behind its and there 's about six policeman behind Well there are . If the before I come to go past it he would cut back in and and climb across even if if the next car then back in again you 're just going , you start out of line Well I did and the thread bit on I do n't do it all the time look you 've got half a sense mind half a strong common sense
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
It is now , however , less abundant in intensively farmed countryside because herbicides have robbed it of weed seeds to eat , and the old farm buildings and ancient hollow trees where it nested have frequently disappeared . There is some mystery about the origin of the stock dove 's name , but it probably came from the habit of nesting in the stocks or trunks of trees . Although tree holes are the most common nesting place , stock doves have been found nesting in rabbit holes and they occasionally take over the abandoned nests of wood - pigeons . In The Country : The boys from the black stuff Sara Jackson sees how charcoal burners are surviving as a symbol of traditional methods of woodland conservation By SARA JACKSON
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: no)
And more and more in vain . It 's as if the lights have fused . I 'm here in the black truth . God is impotent . He ca n't love us .
Idiom: run riot (used idiomatically: yes)
Waddy had been Australia 's 12th man against England in the fifth Test in 1907–08 , having scored a century and a half - century against them for NSW in the previous match . He was a picture of grace , but wasted no time in rehabilitating now with a chanceless 126 in the next match in Kandy against an Up - Country XI . Ebbsworth again ran riot with ‘ capital sixer’ upon ‘ capital sixer’ , running only eight of his 78 runs , and the team returned to Colombo to beat the Ceylonese and restore Australian pride . The Reverend 's side did not lose again , and silenced the handful of critics flushed out by that unanticipated defeat . ‘ A high - class combination’ , concluded the Sportsman loyally : ‘ Those croakers who had likened the visitors to a fifth - rate team must now be hiding their diminished heads.’
Idiom: go public (used idiomatically: yes)
Alderson is revealingly described : ‘ poor old John Alderson [ has]gone careering off the rails,[and is]now shacked up with the liberal party … an intellectual liberal reformer with radical ideas [ whose]philosophical mumbo jumbo , often incomprehensible , and not very original , did nothing to impress’ . Furthermore , ‘ there have been questions about his loyalty’ , for Alderson has had the temerity to caution the service about an apparent drift towards paramilitarism . Needless to say the revelations made by John Stalker ( 1988 ) were also less than welcome to the service , and all around I heard my contemporaries condemn the fact that he had gone public . Inevitably , I noted these criticisms were rarely in relation to what he had said ( few had actually read the book ) , but rather were expressions of shocked outrage that he had failed to keep silent and say nothing at all . Indeed , the fact that he had apparently used an editor from a Manchester newspaper for some of his purposes was latched onto and quoted as a sign that he was ‘ suspect’ and ‘ disloyal’ .