Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: chew the fat (used idiomatically: yes)
Watching the ghosts!’ So says Paul Hammond , talking about the impetus behind the most original anthology in a while , Seeing In The Dark : A Compendium Of Cinemagoing ( Serpent 's Tail , £ 10.99 ) , edited by Hammond with fellow surrealist artist / writer Ian Breakwell . This is not a book about the experience of watching them , a collection of weird scenes inside the cinema : ‘ We were chewing the fat , telling stories about peculiar things that had happened to us at the cinema , trying to top each other . And then we thought what a great idea for a book . The great thing is that everybody has been to the cinema , and many have had a strange experience there.’
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: no)
This entails a precise knowledge of the human body – including under the microscope .
Idiom: up to scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ And our duties , General?’ ‘ I 'll inform you later . Is your radio receiving equipment up to scratch?’ ‘ Oh , yes , General , the best the Luftwaffe can offer . Sometimes aircraft returning across the Channel are in a bad way .
Idiom: run riot (used idiomatically: yes)
And there is the pain of jealousy . The agony of lying locked in a cell and wondering what your wife or girl friend is doing , with whom and to whom . Imagination runs riot , memories of one 's own lovemaking being replayed with another man playing your part . Masturbation using your own woman in your imagination turns into a nightmare if these other thoughts intrude , and if you carry these thoughts all week and then allow her to visit , you may fail when talking to her to distinguish between reality and fantasy and ruin the visit for both of you . How much easier to cut yourself off from all these problems and withdraw emotionally into the less demanding machine of prison life .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: yes)
Forest and hedgerow management were an essential component of life for many centuries , and the importance of hedgerows can be gauged by the frequency with which the word ' hedge ' , or its variants appear in place names such as Haywards Heath , Haywood , Haynes , Hayes or Haydon . Hedgehogs and hedge - sparrows are hedge denizens and by courtesy of Geoffrey Grigson we know that more than 40 native plants have ' hedge ' names . Let John Clare have the last word : ' Each hedge is covered thick with green ; And where the hedger late hath been ,
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: no)
in Holyhead . Mr. Wigley : Do not these figures of between 18 and 20 per cent . in unemployment black spots , when compared to the levels of 2 and 3 per cent . in Hertfordshire , Berkshire and Buckinghamshire , give the lie to the public relations exercise that the Secretary of State is undertaking which says that the economy of Wales is coming right ? Will he now reconsider his advice that local initiative will solve all these problems , given that he has undermined local initiative in the example quoted earlier about people who have been willing to put up £17 million of locally raised money for a project which was undermined by the Welsh Office ?
Idiom: off the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
Formation and Status Before a company can exist or do business it must obtain a certificate of incorporation from the Registrar of Companies ( in Cardiff ) . The formalities are not unduly onerous in the sense that there are several commercial agencies who specialise in providing ‘ off the shelf’ companies . The registration requirements include a constitution , made up of a memorandum and articles of association , specifying what the company is formed to do , and how its internal affairs are to be regulated . For any company there must be at least two subscribers , who will become members .
Idiom: slip of the tongue (used idiomatically: yes)
Although code switching is as much an " insider " activity as talking itself for those communities which practise it , it is remarkable that most communities do not have a set of " folk linguistic " categories which relate to this mode of talk . Thus while many communities have labels to apply to various linguistic practices at different levels which are evaluated as good or bad by the community — for example , " grammatical " , " sloppy " , " drawl " , " h - dropping " — there seem to be very few or none which relate specifically to code - switching behaviour ( although there are a few terms , such as " Tex - Mex " , which refer to mixed varieties ) . The few references to their own practices by members of code - switching communities which are contained in the literature are vague and general : for example , the now - famous quotation ( complete with slip of the tongue ) from a Spanish - English bilingual which gave Poplack 's important 1981 article its title : " Sometimes I start a sentence in Spanish y termino en Español " ( Sometimes I start a sentence in Spanish and finish in Spanish ) . This lack of vocabulary acts as a further barrier to discussing code switching in any detail with linguistically naive members of the community . The problem is compounded where the codes in contact themselves are not only similar but have diffuse norms , so that the boundary between them is not always clear either to the linguist or to community members .
Idiom: on the dot (used idiomatically: yes)
Peter Lilley looked like he would have more time than most to do so . His audience with the Prime Minister lasted less than 30 minutes . Gillian Shephard , the queen of the moment , arrived on the dot of 4 pm looking happy . Virginia Bottomley arrived in her husband 's Ford Fiesta . Peter Bottomley , the former Transport Minister , quipped to waiting reporters : ‘ I do n't exist .
Idiom: get stuck into (used idiomatically: yes)
Old clothes They are helping to move soil into a garden they are building at the school with the help of mums , dads and teachers . The boys and girls brought their buckets and spades and old clothes to get stuck into their task and are finding it a lot of fun . They helped move three - and - a - half tons of soil into the garden . And as there is another three - and - a - half tons to go , they are looking forward to more mudlarks to come .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
Frost glory loses shine George Stevens SOUTH AFRICA 'S David Frost yesterday made history by becoming the first golfer to win the Million Dollar Challenge three times . But the tournament , held in the magnificent setting of Sun City , will be remembered for the incidents on the third day rather than Frost 's winning total of 276 . England 's Nick Faldo and Nick Price of Zimbabwe were both disqualified by the tournament director Buddy Young .
Idiom: in bed with (used idiomatically: yes)
Er , yes , I suppose , I suppose it , it could have done if you get a sickly baby and , and a sickly mother . Er the baby probably would n't stand such a , a good chance . Er and of course you , you 'd get er , those days they did n't have cots the mother had the baby in bed with her . And I , I can remember a , a mother , she was a very big woman , she rolled onto her baby and , and suffocated the baby . Now I , I ca n't imagine any mother doing it twice , but the first time they said it was an accident .
Idiom: change hands (used idiomatically: yes)
Tony Prior , Prior Harwin 's chairman , then proposed a scheme to save both the company and investors ' funds . Unsecured creditors should agree to accept a down payment of around 35p in the pound for money due to them , and to take the balance in redeemable convertible preference shares in Prior Harwin , to be paid off in four years ' time . The company was , however wound up , and it was revealed that a larger number of stocks in its listings had rarely changed hands . Indeed , one property developer Bexbuild Developments , had been listed by Prior Harwin a year after its market - making agreement with the licensed dealer had been terminated . The business of selling shares at licensed dealers is often a gimmick which loses investors their hard - earned money .
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
The Ascom Timeplex Time / LAN Access Router is designed to connect Ethernet and Token Ring local area networks among multiple branch sites . The Ascom Timepac Branch Nodal Processor can integrate SNA / SDLC , X25 , Frame Relay , ISDN and other wide area traffic . It can be used in tandem with the Time / LAN Access Router to consolidate mainframe and local network applications and services over a single wide area backbone . The company has also added Frame Relay capabilities to its existing Ascom Timeplex Time / LAN family of local network and wide area network products , as well as introducing the Frame Server System , which adds Frame Relay capabilities for other vendors ' T1 and E1 multiplexers , routers and bridges . No prices .
Idiom: by the book (used idiomatically: yes)
Over 30,000 copies were printed during Baxter 's own lifetime , and thousands of people have , by the grace of God , been converted by reading it . Baxter heard of whole households being converted through reading this book in his own day . But the message of the book continued to speak long after Baxter died , and many more have been helped along the ' path that leads to life ' , by this book , including great soul winners such as George Whitfield and Charles Spurgeon . The Saint 's Everlasting Rest was the most popular book Baxter wrote . Its vivid descriptions of the joys and glories of heaven have encouraged many weary servants of God , whilst its warnings of hell and exhortations to repent have been the means of bringing others to faith in Christ .
Idiom: the icing on the cake (used idiomatically: yes)
For the half year to September , Merrydown reported profits down 19 % to £ 760,000 reflecting strong competition . Air waves buzz for Classic FM A REVIVAL in local radio has put the icing on the cake for GWR , the M4 corridor operator which also has a large slice of Classic FM for which TV star Henry Kelly is a regular presenter . Pre - tax profits for the year to September have mushroomed 112 % to £ 721,000 and boss Ralph Bernard reckons there is more to come this year . Its four franchises in the South West are booming due to a successful advertiing formula .
Idiom: take root (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Do n't blame me,’ Alyssia said disgruntledly , ‘ blame the rain.’ Right now the well - being of his car seat was the last thing on her mind . Her thoughts were twirling around and , however much she told herself that all that astrology stuff was nonsense , she could not prevent the doubts that had taken root and now refused to be urged away . It might all be nonsense , she thought , but it certainly tied a few things together . For instance , Piers 's unforthcoming remark about avoiding love because he had once tasted it and it had left a bitter after - effect .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
Their main distinguishing feature was the solid pressed steel side frame , with a flange round the edge . There were the usual semi - elliptical springs at the ends supporting the body . The saloons had polished plywood benches and backs , with patterns perforated in small holes . Like Nos . 1–16 , they had maple veneer ceilings with patterned corners and a large brass rimmed lighting bowl in the centre , together with six unshaded bulbs along the sides . The lintel board over the door was more elaborate than those of Nos . 1–16 and supported on ornate capitals .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
The regulation of aviation comprises many different activities but perhaps the most significant is the drawing up of a set of rules and regulations and the establishment of an organisation to ensure their enforcement . The regulatory body is also a licensing authority in respect of a wide range of activities . Pilots and other flight crew immediately come to mind ; so too do maintenance engineers and air traffic controllers . In addition , these authorities license airports to ensure that they comply with their national interpretation of ICAO standards , and they also issue certificates of airworthiness for types of aircraft and in respect of each individual aircraft on their register , besides monitoring aircraft design and manufacturing standards . Another substantial undertaking by regulating authorities in most countries is the provision of an air traffic control service and the licensing of the air traffic control officers who operate the service .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
In the succeeding weeks , while maintaining a position strongly opposed to Iraq 's aggression , the Soviet Union distanced itself from the US position , seeking to ensure that the enforcement of UN sanctions remained in the forefront as the means to secure an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait , and advocating a UN framework for any enforcement action . The Soviet Foreign Ministry on Aug. 9 issued a formal condemnation of the Iraqi annexation of Kuwait , but also expressed more general concern about the rapidly deteriorating situation . Critical of the US deployment , the Soviet Union would not for the time being join an international force , but would consider how to respond if the UN Security Council decided on military action . Despite its " long - standing friendly relations " with Iraq , the Soviet Union " can not keep silent , still less tell lies " . On Aug. 13 the Soviet Union responded coolly to Saddam 's " peace initiative " of the previous day , and on Aug. 17 Shevardnadze said in Moscow after talks with West German Foreign Minister Hans - Dietrich Genscher that the Security Council could soon assume a military role which could bring a rapid resolution of the crisis ; the Security Council Military Staff Committee , he said , was the body whose task it was to co - ordinate military measures .
Idiom: take someone to task (used idiomatically: yes)
Use of donors ' blood supplies in private hospitals Recently , in these columns I repeated the claim that commercial hospitals are being subsidised by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service , a division of the NHS . Professor Ronald H Girdwood , the chairman of the Scottish Blood Transfusion Association , took me to task in a letter at the end of last month . He is a renowned and honourable man , but with regard to this matter he is either being naive or obtuse . Here are the facts : For the first 40 years of its existence , the blood transfusion authority in Scotland provided the private sector with blood on request and without making any charge whatsoever .
Idiom: under the influence (used idiomatically: yes)
I think I shall be able to show you that this religious attitude underlay some of the most striking aspects of Russell 's life : his pacifism , and his deep concern with human misfortune and misery . The second big battle that Russell had in his unswerving pursuit of truth was with German idealism , mainly Hegelian idealism , which by a very curious aberration from the standard empiricism of the British people , took root in Oxford and Cambridge in the last half of the last century , and was almost for a time unchallenged . Russell first read mathematics at Cambridge and then , in the second half of his tripos , philosophy , and he then came strongly under this influence . I must say I 've been seriously wondering , during this lecture , whether I was going to have the courage or not , to attempt to give you a thumbnail exposition of Hegelian metaphysics . To tell the honest truth I 'm still dithering .
Idiom: under the influence (used idiomatically: no)
3 . The Justinian era ; for over 200 years from 537 to the eighth century Ravenna was the seat of an Exarch , subject to Constantinople . The earlier part , under Justinian 's influence , produced the finest work ( e.g. S. Vitale ) . Ravenna churches have a number of specific characteristics . They are Byzantine not Roman basilican .
Idiom: money for jam (used idiomatically: yes)
The men do it for money , same as the girls . " " There must be some guys who like doing it . When I was younger , I always thought it looked like money for jam . Some girls like doing it too , do n't forget . " You think ? "
Idiom: out of sight (used idiomatically: yes)
A happy compromise between the needs of family and work , you might think , but the end result is a sharp downgrading in the work returning mothers do . A Thomas Coram Research Unit study , New Mothers At Work : Employment And Childcare , found , for example , a woman who moved from being an Executive Officer with the DSS to childminding , and another who moved from bank clerk to cleaner . As many mothers rely on their partners for childcare , they often work out - of - sight , nil - promotion night shifts . When their children go to school , they may take on a morning job in a shop or making school dinners . At any rate , it is the service sector that benefits most from this army of workers who have to sacrifice pay and conditions for convenient hours and proximity to home .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: yes)
My bearing is almost princely . I sold that stick of mine long ago . Tod and I are feeling so terrific that we 've joined a club and taken up tennis . Perhaps prematurely . Because to begin with , at least— it made our back ache like a son of a bitch .
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: no)
This is so even if your contract contains no specific restrictive covenants . A case involving the intensely competitive newspaper industry demonstrates what may happen . Evening Standard Co Ltd v Henderson ( 1987 ) concerned a production manager whose contract said that while he was employed , ' on no account are you to engage in outside work ' . He told his company that he proposed to join a rival newspaper , giving two months ' notice , rather than the 12 months ' notice required by his contract . His employers offered to pay him in full until the 12-month period expired and the High Court granted them an injunction , preventing Mr Henderson from leaving prematurely .
Idiom: play games (used idiomatically: yes)
You said I was intelligent and beautiful , and I actually started to believe you . See what a fool I am ? But as I 've never played this game before I did n't know the rules . ' ' What rules ? What are you talking about ? ' he demanded .
Idiom: on the stump (used idiomatically: no)
Yes , while attempting to hit him with a bat . Here is Tufnell coming up again , bowls over and outside the off stump , and that one goes to Robin Smith , and he 's hit somewhere on the boot and ricochets off down the pitch . It was a a well pitched up ball , I like , I like love Tufnell when he gives it a bit of a , on the off stump . He 's got his five fielders there , four on the leg side at the moment , so saved , er long leg as well , bowls this one and that again he thrust forward that front pad and DaSilva , and Stewart comes in from mid wicket to field it . A hundred and eighteen for three and the asking rate of the start of the day was er three point six two over , it must have deteriorated from the point of Sri Lanka .
Idiom: put down roots (used idiomatically: yes)
In no way can library suppliers be expected to promote a full range of material — not just commercially attractive titles , but also small , low - cost titles from obscure publishers which offer the supplier low profit margins . Yet many librarians seem content to select from a supplier 's selection , and to surrender professional responsibility for their service to the suppliers , allowing speed and ease of supply to take precedence over comprehensiveness and depth . The approval services have put down particularly deep roots . The supplier sends copies of new books ( or stock revision collections ) to the librarian , who examines them at leisure and decides whether to retain ( probably ordering extra copies ) or return . The bookseller is recompensed for his trouble with a generous allocation of orders .
Idiom: no man's land (used idiomatically: yes)
And you know , you know , what 's the point of coming round and giving you a bollocking if nobody 's going to tell you why ? I have n't , I have n't had any positive feedback at all , in all the time that I 've been there . Erm , I 'm in no man 's land at the moment , because I 'm like between , between sort of like branches , appraisals are coming up , how can I have an appraisal , I wo n't have anything . Ray . Well I think I 've been rather more fortunate , the two branch managers I 've had er , before , I 'd not had long enough , er , both have given albeit not regular , but feedback both positive and negative , er , when you 're doing a good job and when you 're doing a bad job , and er , in all honesty , it 's probably the appraisal itself , that 's actually been unnecessary because of their feedback they 're given me during the year , because the appraisal is just a formal repetition of what 's already been said .
Idiom: dig deep (used idiomatically: yes)
' Our material is for anyone who wants to listen , but basically we 're coming from a club scene . Record companies are rock record companies and they do n't understand that sort of culture . ' Soul II Soul went whoof to the top , and so the record people started to dig deeper into that whole club scene . They rummage around and every so often come up with a new act . ' I 've heard it said that the only reason we got the contract with Talkin ' Loud is 'cos we know Gilles .
Idiom: nuts and bolts (used idiomatically: yes)
This is the time to test out the telephone support system ( or read our Fax Box ) . The only other problem was found with the speaker support bracket which had no screw hole or a corresponding hole in the case to fix it to . We drilled a small hole in the bracket and secured it with a nut and bolt to the front panel . FAX BOX Connect the green wire of the power LED to pin 1 and the white wire to pin 3 of the keylock connector J7 .
Idiom: free and easy (used idiomatically: yes)
We did n't have ‘ team spirit’ any more,(Miss Brodie would have been proud of us ! ) . We knew all the aircrews and were on Christian name terms with most of them . Binbrook was free and easy . It had an Australian squadron when I first went there and the Aussies do not stand on ceremony . A lot of the best - looking Waafs on the station had acquired Australian boyfriends , and two of the Met girls had recently married them and were impatiently waiting to get on the ship for Aussie - land to join their husbands .
Idiom: tip the scales (used idiomatically: yes)
She was unable to believe that his tongue was unruly or that he 'd meant his earlier remarks to be at all humorous . With a formal little bow he added , ‘ Please accept my apologies.’ When she hesitated , hardly knowing what to say , he tipped the scales by proposing briskly , ‘ Perhaps we should get down to business . Would you care to see the items to be put on display?’ Their eyes met and , standing so close , she saw that his were n't grey , as she 'd thought , but a clear silvery green , translucent as water .
Idiom: have been around (used idiomatically: no)
She readily accepted this and was anxious to begin treatment right away . However , I suggested that it would be better for her to come back after another week as this would give her time to think over all that had happened , to listen to the cassette if she wished and to continue to practise her relaxation and visualization techniques . In any case , the phobia had been around for so long that one extra week would not really make any difference . Maxine came to see me again the following week and we began the follow - up treatment , along the lines of those which you will find detailed in the ‘ case histories’ sections of this book . It took four visits ( over a seven - week period ) to put an end to her phobia once and for all and to allow her to lead the happy , normal life she so desired .