Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: fight tooth and nail (used idiomatically: yes)
They often help each other out when it comes to time off and holidays . ' ' We should be so lucky , ' Joanna said grimly . ' I 'm sure they 'll be furious and fight us tooth and nail . ' ' Well , we 'll fight back . We 've as much right to be here as they have .
Idiom: in the flesh (used idiomatically: yes)
A brass plate beside the door said ‘ Eingang Dönitz’ and an arrow pointed the way . We rang the bell which made musical chimes , and the admiral answered it . It was strange to see in the flesh a man whose name and face had since 1939 been almost as familiar to me as those of Churchill or Hitler . ‘ So!’ he said , ‘ Dönitz!’ , and shook hands with us all . He had always been small but now seemed quite shrunken , though still erect in bearing and in neatly pressed charcoal - grey suit and shining shoes dapper in his dress ; but there was no mistaking the ferret - like face , the money - box slit of a mouth and the blue , commanding eyes .
Idiom: high and dry (used idiomatically: yes)
And indeed they spare nobody . Two , six pounds each , over two feet long , High and dry and dead in the willow - herb — One jammed past its gills down the other 's gullet : The outside eye stared : as a vice locks —
Idiom: free and easy (used idiomatically: yes)
The ban , initiated by the State Department and announced on 11 March by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service , is expected to affect fewer than 500 of the approximately 3000 Libyan students at American universities , and only those studying the proscribed subjects . But without denying grounds for concern about the outcast Gaddafi government that sent them here to acquire skills of obvious military value , there are also grounds for concern about the long arm government regulating traffic inside the boundaries of the academic world . One need not partake of overly sentimental or nostalgic views about academic freedom and communities of scholars to recognise that open doors and free and easy communication — face to face and in print — are the fundamental difference between the aridity of Soviet science and the fabulous productivity of American science . That is the near - unanimous verdict of Soviet emigres and defectors and Western scientists who have participated in exchange programmes with the Soviets . The difference has spawned the nice turn of phrase ‘ security by accomplishment’ , rather than by secrecy — which means keeping scientifically ahead of the Soviets by remaining free to move speedily , rather than by emulating their deadening security mania .
Idiom: take the piss (used idiomatically: yes)
But we still could n't tell whether he could sing or not . It was a funny situation . He felt awkward and so he mostly just took the piss out of it to get through . But we decided to try him out . This guy is the one , Malcolm said , and we went along with him Who knows why ?
Idiom: up in the air (used idiomatically: yes)
GUIL:(Understanding ) Game . ( Flips a coin . ) The law of averages , if I have got this right , means that if six monkeys were thrown up in the air for long enough they would land on their tails about as often as they would land on their ROS : Heads . ( He picks up the coin . )
Idiom: fit as a fiddle (used idiomatically: yes)
LITTLE Louise Bennett is the reason cricket ace Ian Botham is trudging across southern England today in agony . Louise was struck down with leukaemia almost five years ago , at the age of three . Today she 's as fit as a fiddle — thanks to research funded by efforts such as Beefy 's . Louise 's grateful mum , Kim Bennett , is rushed off her feet collecting all the money she can to support Botham 's 546-mile walk . ‘ He 's a wonderful man .
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
The study investigated children in care whose social workers wanted to find homes with substitute families for them , taking as two basic assumptions that every child has a right to a family of his [ or her]own , and that adoption and fostering are not completely separate categories but have a considerable area of overlap . It was found that 22 per cent of the whole group of children were thought to need a substitute family ; and permanent substitute families were being sought for nearly three - quarters of these . Forty per cent of the children needing placement were considered to need permanent foster homes , 6 per cent direct adoption and 26 per cent a foster home with a view to adoption . It was found that decisions about placements were often long delayed while efforts were made to solve the family 's problems . Yet rehabilitation was only expected for a minority about 25 per cent— of all the children in the study .
Idiom: hold your tongue (used idiomatically: yes)
If he was to catch thee , all thy fighting skills would n't be worth an ounce o ' flea shit.’ ‘ He won't,’ Midnight said , keeping his eyes on Red and smiling coolly . ‘ Not if you hold your tongue.’ ‘ Th'know me , Midnight . Old Red .
Idiom: greasy spoon (used idiomatically: yes)
Everything and everybody in the city is depressing and vulgar . When Buck goes to a diner , he sits at a table opposite a creepy woman with a nervous tic who keeps running a grey rubber mouse over her face . When Buck and Ratso go to another greasy spoon , a crazy is ranting in the background . While watching TV , Buck sees a show in which a poodle is made to wear a wig , false eyelashes and panties . Despite Schlesinger 's claims that ‘ there was n't anything in the movie that I had n't seen in some way somewhere’ and ‘ one was always confronted by something worse on the streets than one was putting into the film’ , they were attention - getting elements , unabsorbed into the texture of the film .
Idiom: on a full stomach (used idiomatically: yes)
She picked up the bags at her feet and plodded to the white wooden door , feeling in her bag for the key . The first thing she would do , she decided , was take a walk into the little village and stock up on some foodstuffs . Things always looked better on a full stomach , and right now she was ravenous . She slipped the key into the lock and was about to turn it when she looked down and realised with surprise that the door was open . Very slightly .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
You may like to plan your long - term strategy under three approximate headings of : mental / physical serenity and poise ; relaxation ; planned participation . An alert , calm state of mind which remains unruffled may already be one of your assets . If not , it is worth acquiring : it aids speechreading , and it is helped by taking stock realistically , by advanced preparation and by self - confidence . List the particular circumstances which cause frustration and stressful tension to mount . Are there ways in which you can avoid or alter these circumstances ?
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
Now my opinion is , is that was the first stage of the government 's master plan to create a health service that would be ripe for privatization . Back in nineteen eighty eight the government faced a massive crash cash crisis in N H S funding , and er many people within the trade union movement took part in a massive rally in London to call on the government to review its policy towards the , the Health Service . Many of us at that time welcomed the fact that the government was taking stock of public opinion , and was t making the effort to review the , the , the N H S. But unfortunately what that review meant was that what the review brought about was a near privatization of the Health Service through the government 's N H S White Paper and subsequently the N H S and Community Care Act . The privileges of that Act went to the very heart of the N H S.
Idiom: on the hoof (used idiomatically: yes)
That only seems to apply in the Highfields area . I suggest that the Labour and particularly Liberal feel , think very carefully about the quality of service that is provided by this county er council cos at the moment there is neither justice or equity in it . There are areas that are just what they want things passed on the hoof . left , right and centre when anyone else outside these areas wants it we 're told no money , no capital , ca n't be spent this year , wipe it off and I think you should be very careful or you might have a backlash where you least want it . Thank you . Thank you Chairman .
Idiom: in the running (used idiomatically: no)
The PCA was established in April 1985 under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 . It was designed as a more effective replacement for the Police Complaints Board ( PCB ) which the public appeared to have lost faith in due to the fact that few complaints were ever substantiated , and that all investigations were carried out by the police themselves . The 1984 Act sought to make the system more independent of the police by giving the Police Complaints Authority more involvement in the running of ‘ major’ investigations involving death , serious injury , assault , conspiracy and matters of public concern ( including the policing of public disorder ) . Under the 1984 Act , the PCA is empowered to:(i ) choose , or veto the choice , of investigating officers , supervise their inquiries , and receive their final report;(ii ) monitor the speed and efficiency of the investigation and issue a statement to the Chief Constable saying whether it was satisfactorily carried out;(iii ) receive a Chief Constable 's decision on what action he intends to take as a result of an investigation and , if need be , overturn the decision ( either by preferring disciplinary charges or , if it believes an offence has been committed , referring the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions ) . In the latter case , the PCA may still choose to bring disciplinary charges even if the DPP decides there are insufficient grounds for prosecution .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
An Executive Committee was formed and individual members of the socialist parties — especially the Mensheviks — played prominent roles : Trotsky briefly held the post of chairman . But the deputies — whose number reached 562 — were elected directly at factory level and were subject to immediate recall . The system of direct democracy made the Soviet immediately responsive to the mood of rank - and - file workers . Similar soviets had emerged in other cities earlier in the year , but that of St Petersburg took on unique importance . It helped to inspire the creation of soviets elsewhere — among peasants and soldiers as well as workers — and it attempted to liaise between them .
Idiom: lay odds (used idiomatically: yes)
Probably another girl . That 's what I think . I 'd lay odds on Russell wants a boy . What a son and heir ? Yeah .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: yes)
When he was living in Montparnasse , the sculptor Leon Indenbaum had bought a head by Modigliani for two hundred francs when he was in funds . The heavy stone head remained in Modigliani 's cluttered studio until one day Modi marched up to Indenbaum at the Rotonde and said baldly , ‘ I 've sold your head’ . ‘ You did the right thing’ , replied the sculptor generously . But Modigliani did not forget and in 1915 , when Indenbaum met him in Montparnasse , looking pale and unshaven , Modi came up to him and said in a hoarse voice , ‘ I 'm going to paint your portrait.’ Indenbaum did not take the proposition seriously , as he felt sure that Modi would have forgotten all about it in the morning , but Modigliani was insistent and asked Indenbaum if he had canvas and paint at home .
Idiom: up to here (used idiomatically: yes)
No . 1 : Annemarie . Men see men I 've had it Up to here absolutely It 's all off completely . I said suppose that 'll suit you fine I said
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
Footnote : The Greatest Living Irishman never got to pat the knee of the Greatest Living Human Being , but it was n't for lack of trying . The Mandela concert organisers eventually told Terry Wogan 's people that they were saving the GLHB for a special edition of Desert Island Discs , to be called Robben Island Discs . And apparently they believed it , as it did the trick . MARGINS JUNK MAIL
Idiom: anything goes (used idiomatically: no)
Like all the big bosses of the regime , he would have it on film , this great historic moment . Not for posterity , however : for his own collection , assuming he returned . For the Gestapo , thought Karlheinz , if anything went wrong . He switched off almost sadly as Hess disappeared into the cockpit clumsily , too big in the leg for such acrobatics . There were checks to be done , now that Hess had replaced the mechanic , so Karlheinz backed off a few paces with the camera .
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: no)
Expansion abroad saw Vodafone - linked companies win contracts in Greece , Germany and Australia . Capital spending this year is expected to hit £ 300 m of which £ 130 m is likely to be overseas . First shots fired in a ferry firms ‘ war at sea’ By David Greenwood Daily Post Staff IRISH Sea ferry operators B&I and Stena Sealink are ready to battle it out for passengers this summer .
Idiom: ruffle someone's feathers (used idiomatically: yes)
Well , if the scenes of Fred 's bar in Soho are anything to go by , the answer must be a resounding ‘ No way!’ Public NME had the good sense to decline an invitation to a party for FLOWERED UP and their short film Weekender . Not that we 've got anything against the group , you understand , but certain other guests would have ruffled our feathers , so it was in everyone 's best interests that we stayed away . For among the noteworthy ( ? ) in attendance was none other than the Right Horrible DAVID MELLOR MP , the newly appointed so - called ‘ Minister For Fun’ in JOHNNY MAJOR 's cabinet . Mellor confessed to not being particularly au fait with Flowered Up 's fine body of work , but claimed to be well impressed with the artistic quality of the film .
Idiom: put paid to (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ No , ma'am . When might I look for an answer ? Only I would wish to tell my sister as soon as possible and put paid to her nonsense . ‘ I really can not say , Wilson . All is confusion as to our precise plans as yet .
Idiom: lend a hand (used idiomatically: yes)
There were , however , other predators in the area — the birdwatcher 's menace , cats . One day I chanced upon a chubby black and white brute molesting a helpless young sparrow and rushed to the rescue . ( I know that in wildlife programmes on TV the professional naturalists never interfere with natural savagery , but since the size of the moggy population in the area is unnatural , I felt it was right to lend a hand . ) The sparrow was n't too badly injured as far as I could tell , but it was obviously in a state of shock and could n't fly . it needed care .
Idiom: take it easy (used idiomatically: yes)
Fifty dollars ? Nobody gives me fifty dollars . " " Wait a minute — hey , take it easy , " I said . I confess I was a little shaken by my playmate 's tone . For a moment there she had looked and sounded like a rockhard loan - shark reclaiming an ugly debt .
Idiom: in business (used idiomatically: yes)
So , imagine that you invest $ 10,000 in the S&P index . This year , your share of the profits made by those companies will be $ 700 . Now , imagine that , of that total , the companies pay out $ 250 in dividends ( which you reinvest to buy more stock ) and retain $ 450 in earnings to reinvest in their businesses . If the companies ' managers do their job , that reinvestment will boost the value of your shares to $ 10,450 . Add to that the $ 250 of newly - bought shares , and next year the portfolio will be worth $ 10,700 – more if stock - market valuations rise , and less if they fall .
Idiom: hold the fort (used idiomatically: yes)
We will hold the fort with all our strength until the peoples of the world rise and help us !
Idiom: in broad daylight (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's a very simple tactic : a gang of at least five or six young , strong , aggressive types select an isolated victim on a platform or in a train carriage , steam into them with fists and feet , rob them and steam away again . The attack is effective because it is so fast — a sort of mugger 's ‘ blitzkrieg’— and the dust has usually settled before anyone even realizes what has happened . Steaming is not restricted to tube trains : it happens on buses , in shops and even department stores where large items are stolen en masse in broad daylight . At one point , the number of steaming attacks in Oxford Street reached such a peak that Scotland Yard formed a special squad to deal with it . The possibility of being attacked on public transport is still low , especially if you avoid the more notorious stations , such as those in Central London and at the southern end of the Northern Line .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
While both approaches were being pursued with little success , the government made preparations for a new offensive against Germany and Austria - Hungary . The new War Minister , Kerensky , made a series of highly - publicized tours of the front to raise the men 's fighting spirit . The offensive was launched on 18 June but was deeply unpopular with much of the rank and file and collapsed in the first week of July . Meanwhile , the government was confronted by an array of problems . The incipient trade breakdown which had helped to spark the Petrograd insurrection accelerated after February .
Idiom: up a tree (used idiomatically: yes)
Fabia exclaimed as , more strolling than anything , they ambled along hilltop pathways through an avenue of silver birch trees . ‘ I thought you might like it,’ he commented , and Fabia had to give her special attention to catkins , and to where lilac was about to break out of bud , because as her heart began to race she could n't help but think that Ven had intended to bring her with him to Petřín , even as he 'd casually tossed that invitation at her . Suddenly then though her attention was taken by a red squirrel which darted from nowhere and , effortlessly it seemed , bounced over the grass and then , as if jerked up on a string , shot up a tree . ‘ Oh , look!’ she whispered in an awed kind of voice , and flicked a glance from the squirrel to Ven , to find that he was looking — at her ! ‘ Nature - lover,’ he teased , and she knew then that she held him in some quite high regard .
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
My own understanding of the role of services in the lives of disabled people has developed , and in the light of this I have reviewed my own working practices . Those people involved in the project have also gained an insight into the importance of establishing communication with disabled people and gaining advice from organisations of disabled people , before the setting up of services which are aimed at meeting their needs . It is hoped that the changes have also been important to the disabled people who are now involved in the work of the project ; all of the quotes which appear in this chapter are theirs . A member of our group had this to say about the writing of this paper : ‘ It will be worth doing if it gets read by a lot of people . More groups like ours might get going to let disabled people have more say about what they want to do.’
Idiom: keep a low profile (used idiomatically: yes)
So do not feel you have to make a fuss to get attention . If you feel confident in the assessors you can relax and behave as you should instead of feeling the need to get yourself noticed . Do not deliberately keep a low profile The same principle applies to those whose natural instinct is to try and merge with the wallpaper . It will do you no good to try and keep away from the hub of activity and hope that by making no impression you will not make a bad impression .
Idiom: nothing to write home about (used idiomatically: yes)
The 43-year - old Irishman is having to battle through the qualifying rounds in Blackpool to try and clinch a place in next April 's finals of the £ 1 million Embassy world championship in Sheffield . The two times world champion , now rated No . 72 , trailed Stevens 5 - 4 overnight but , without having to produce his best form , he won the next six frames in succession to win their third qualifying round tie . Higgins , whose highest break of the session was 44 , said : ‘ The snooker was nothing to write home about but I 'm pleased to get a step nearer Sheffield.’ He added : ‘ I felt sorry for Kirk . He 's not the player he used to be but I suppose you could say the same about me.’
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: yes)
Tranmere missed a chance to make up ground at the top crashing 3-1 against Barnsley . David Currie gave Barnsley a flying start , scoring after 31 seconds , and Andy Rammell added their second . Tranmere 's John Aldridge then blazed a 50th minute penalty over the top , but Steve Mungall headed one back 11 minutes later . Neil Redfearn made sure eight minutes from time . Millwall cruised to a 2-0 win over Leicester .
Idiom: like clockwork (used idiomatically: yes)
A mechanized universe , dear to both Descartes and Boyle , was often valued as a vehicle for emphasizing God 's sovereignty over His creation . As long as matter was considered to be inert , its motion could be ascribed to the divine will . A universe that ran like clockwork also evinced design . Although Boyle agreed with Bacon and Descartes that the quest for final causes would be injurious to science if it jeopardized the search for physical causes , the great beauty of a mechanical philosophy was that , properly understood , it allowed one to have both . To ask how a piece of machinery worked was not to deny that each part had been designed with a function in mind .
Idiom: left and right (used idiomatically: yes)
Ledlow , Swanson and Kinsbourne ( 1978 ) carried out a similar study in that subjects were required to perform a same - different match to visually presented letters either on a physical or a nominal basis . The results of this experiment were consistent with the view that EEG asymmetry can reflect hemispheric processing differences as distinct from effects due to mere stimulus presentation ( Willis , Wheatley and Mitchell , 1979 ; Shucard , Cummins , Thomas and Shucard , 1981 ) . Even changes in a subject 's preparatory " set " may be sufficient to reveal EEG differences between left and right hemispheres . Butler and Glass ( 1974 ) required subjects to perform various mental operations when presented with numerical information . Prior to each trial the contingent negative variation ( CNV ) was recorded .
Idiom: turn a trick (used idiomatically: yes)
Morgan had replied he paid his own way . He boarded the express with two minutes to spare . It was Morgan 's handling of the attempted bank raid a few days earlier in Cardiff which turned the trick . It had made the national press . Instead of travelling with the security truck carrying the money , Morgan had checked out the area round the bank the previous day .
Idiom: down the road (used idiomatically: no)
But to have to allow it to be done in a strange place was impossible . Dot knew she could n't be brave enough for that . ' If I got to have it done , I 'll go back to the place I was before , back down the Duke 's Ferry Road . Where Baby was and all . ' ' You 'll find they 're very good .
Idiom: tip the scales (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Unusual as a fat postman’,’ supplied Morse . ‘ Really ? Our postman looks as if he tips the scales at about twenty stone.’ Morse inhaled deeply upon yet another cigarette , half closed his eyes , shook his head , and relapsed into the silence that was customary for him on any journey . Behind , in a marked police car , Sergeant Dixon sat beside his driver , a moderately excited PC Watson .