Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: go without saying (used idiomatically: yes)
The Elton Committee urged teachers to take account of this difference in the way they exert discipline . They felt that the aggressive behaviour and attention - seeking which are more prevalent among males should not be reinforced by teacher responses . It almost goes without saying that any disciplinary strategies adopted by teachers must involve an even - handed approach towards both sexes if they are to be lawful . GOVERNMENT 'S RESPONSE TO THE ELTON REPORT The government has endorsed many of the Elton Committee 's recommendations , most of which call for action by schools and LEAs rather than central government .
Idiom: few and far between (used idiomatically: no)
Infogrames £ 44.99 CHILD 'S PLAY ( AND LEARN)— the BEST OF BRITISH Good educational software for the PC used to be few and far between — the graphics were normally poor , the interface fiddly and most were totally over priced . This state of affairs has altered over the last 12 months or so , with some excellent ‘ edutainment’ products being released — like Broderbunds Kid Pix and Treehouse , and the high quality software from other US companies such as The Learning Company , Davidson and Sierra . But get out the Union Jack and wave it frantically — there are some real gems now being released by UK companies Kosmos , School Software of Ireland , Europress ( with their latest Fun School products , Paint&Create , and Spelling Fair ) and from the Scottish software house , Lander .
Idiom: out of sorts (used idiomatically: yes)
Well I think that Bruce Kent should call for a referendum on the issue and I think the Labour Party should come out in favour of that . I think that would swing to the , them some of the votes of Liberal Democrats and former S D P people who are also in favour of proportional representation . And I think that would take the issue out of the sort of Party dogfight , and let the electorate really decide , and what is after all one of the most important issues facing a democracy . A support group for the elderly in north Oxfordshire says it wants more cooperation with the police in helping what it reckons is an increasing number of elderly victims of crime in the area . Alec McNair from Age Concern in Banbury is to address a meeting of the Police Consultative Group in the Town Hall tonight on the effects of crime on old people .
Idiom: take a back seat (used idiomatically: no)
Work here will concentrate in areas like information technology , and further liquid crystal research which will eventually make 3-dimensional and high definition television widely available . These phones are already on the market … you do n't need to dial manually , you can just say the number and the phone will dial it automatically . In part two : Taking a back seat … Mansell 's retirement sends motor racing world in a spin . And making a comeback … the taxi service that 's a hit with horse lovers .
Idiom: game on (used idiomatically: yes)
Mind you , the odds were loaded against the Irish before they left home without so many experienced players . They had accepted an itinerary which offered the fierce opposition of Canterbury and Auckland as the second and fourth games , followed by the two tests . This reflects , and not always with credit , the New Zealand and Rugby Football Union 's attitude towards their sponsors and the NZRFU cash - register demand that major international sides play high - profile games on each Saturday of a tour . These are now telecast live , or slightly delayed , and have developed into a major part of the state - run television schedule on a Saturday afternoon — with the consequent spin - offs to the various sponsors . Also Television New Zealand can mount a major rugby telecast more efficiently and easily from a major centre where all the facilities are already in place .
Idiom: few and far between (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 'm sorry we 're late , but these newly fashionable districts are so remote that we had difficulty in finding our way here,’ said Gervase Fairfax . His voice had a sarcastic edge to it , once assumed for the benefit or otherwise of his students , and now its permanent tone . ‘ Gervase would not ask the way , and the street lamps were so few and far between that it was impossible to use our map . ‘ And Robina would not take a taxi , even if we had seen one.’ ‘ Well , here you are now , which is the main thing,’ said Rupert a little awkwardly , yet determined not to apologise for the remoteness of his house when he remembered the hours he had spent waiting in the rush hour for a Green Line bus to their house at Warlingham or Woldingham or some such rustic name .
Idiom: on the ropes (used idiomatically: yes)
On Creag a'Bhancair , Glen Coe , freshly graduated Doctor Grant Farquhar , with assistance from Gary Latter , climbed Up With The Sun — a line that starts next to Uncertain Emotions the heads up and right to the remaining peg on Risk Business , follows that route to its belay and then boldly climbs the arête left of Gone With The Wind crux to belay as for Carnivore . A second pitch blasts through the steep wall left of the Carnivore direct finish past an ' in situ ' thread runner . A grade of E6\7 6b , 6b was suggested ; the top pitch was led on sight , but the bold section up to the Risk Business peg was practised on a top - rope . Mind you , there wo n't be too much muttering about top - roping from other Scottish climbers given that almost every ascent of Fated Path ( on the same crag ) has been top - roped prior to leading , despite that route having fixed protection all the way up ! On the Cobbler 's South Peak , Gary Latter ventured up the slab directly above the start of Osirus : Horus E6 6b was the outcome .
Idiom: face to face (used idiomatically: yes)
There were suggestions this afternoon that , as a result of a switchboard hitch , Mr Mynott 's outside call had crossed with the internal link - up inside Downing Street . The reporter did not disclose specific details of their chat , but the disclosure prompted concern that it might have been more confidential matters which could have been overheard . But a spokesman said that all highly - secret conversations either took place face - to - face or on secure lines . According to the BBC , Mr Mynott telephoned Number 10 at 8.30 this morning with a enquiry . The number rang once and then he found himself listening to a conversation .
Idiom: take the cake (used idiomatically: yes)
I feared in Rome I detected a great change for the worse , but she has stood the journey well , better than might have been expected , and now , if all remains serene , we may see her build up again . ' But everything did not remain serene . Unaware of the news which had spread swiftly throughout the city , Wilson returned to the Casa Guidi late in the evening , not really thinking to see Mrs Browning again but wishing to enquire after her and to take a knead cake she had made specially . It would not be eaten — she had not the faintest illusion of that — but it would be looked on and smiled over and would bring back happy memories and it was all she could think of to signify her reborn affection . So she hurried through the streets , hot and dusty , the still warm knead cake covered with a cloth , and she was aware of a certain agitation in the people passing her , without catching anything said .
Idiom: sign on the dotted line (used idiomatically: yes)
When we got home I could see that they were ready to agree to the move . It was also evident that they had not weighed up the consequences . It all seemed easy — they sign on the dotted line and Balbinder would be virtually taken out of their hands . Despite the school 's stated intention to involve parents as far as possible , I seriously doubted whether Mr or Mrs Singh would be capable or prepared to enter into the kind of partnership the school envisaged . Looking through the booklet the head had given them , I guessed that they would have some difficulty making sense of it .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
The doctrine that all the law was expected to do was to put creditors in possession of debtors’ property was a totally inadmissible piece of spurious humanity . No debtor , he said , should find it an answer to make themselves unable to pay their just debts by spending the money of their creditors in personal indulgence . Anyone who became insolvent by keeping no books , never taking stock and going on year after year without knowing how their affairs stood , was like a child at school who found to his surprise that he had but one halfpenny left in his pocket . A case of Dry Rot ? No one wished , said Mill , to curtail ‘ commercial credit’ , but ‘ that which is given by retail dealers to unproductive consumers is no doubt , to the excess to which it is carried [ in 1848 ] , a considerable evil.’
Idiom: go from strength to strength (used idiomatically: yes)
Tim Rodber had a much better game that at Murrayfield and won his share of the ball at the tail of the line - outs , but it remained an area where Ireland did hold their own through the excellent play of Neil Francis and Brian Robinson . The back row played well and so did the front three , so any optimism I may feel about the future is well grounded . In fact , England should go from strength to strength if the England ‘ B’ performance against Ireland ‘ B’is any guide . With almost half the present team threatening to retire at the end of the season — and who can blame them if it means that they go out on a high note — this was excellent news . I am sure other countries would be happy to field the England ‘ B’ side for their top international XV .
Idiom: night and day (used idiomatically: yes)
Quarries and coal - pits were numerous in certain localities , salt - works and glassworks were flourishing , the cloth industry was growing ; but so far as the visible signs upon the face of the country were concerned it was all a mere scratching on the surface . Neither Leland nor Camden has much to say about industry in England ; and there was nothing that could be specifically called an industrial landscape . Perhaps the multitude of coal - pits near the Tyne were beginning to wear that look , and Camden observed in the 1580s that Sussex ‘ is full of iron mines , all over it ; for the casting of which there are furnaces up and down the country , and abundance of wood is yearly spent ; many streams are drawn into one channel , and a great deal of meadow ground is turned into ponds and pools for the driving mills by the flashes , which , beating with hammers upon the iron , fill the neighbourhood round about it , night and day with continual noise.’ The iron industry , centred in the Wealden woods , was steadily changing the face of the landscape in this region from the middle of the sixteenth century onwards , and a good deal remains to be seen by the historically minded traveller . By the end of the seventeenth century the industrial landscape was much more evident .
Idiom: forbidden fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
Or perhaps I took up my Arabic textbook . Arabic was a late and eccentric interest of mine . A challenging language , carrying with it the sweet allure of forbidden fruit . It is a long way from the dark pine forests and the frozen rivers of northern Europe to the sun - baked sands of Arabia . For a long time Europe offered me all I wanted .
Idiom: keep your fingers crossed (used idiomatically: yes)
Nobody went on about my injury — just asked me how I was getting along in Italy.’ Gazza can not wait to be one of them again . And you can not help keeping your fingers crossed for him . THE ANGUISH OF DEFEAT ENGLAND 'S World Cup exit was a sad occasion for Gazza but he 's desperately keen to pull on that old white shirt again . GAZZA limbers up with the help of Alan Shearer
Idiom: get the picture (used idiomatically: yes)
Yes the army officers , shall we just read a bit more of that bit ? Mm a bit further back probably Yeah , just to get the picture of it Mm , cos it 's got in relation to that ai n't it ? Somehow or other
Idiom: in the short run (used idiomatically: no)
They prefer software tailored For a particular use . THE programs will be produced either by the user company or by a software firm under its ownership . In the short run this approach costs more . A company that operates computers in Japan must employ its own software organisation with high fixed labour costs . But the long - run benefits are compelling Custom - made software is often more reliable and has fewer ' bugs ' or faults .
Idiom: walk all over (used idiomatically: yes)
Friends will be in touch this afternoon and you 'll need to make time to accommodate them this evening . SCORPIO ( Oct 24 — Nov 22 ) : You will be feeling ruthless and ambitious and walking all over those who drag their heels . You could make some alarming enemies if you do n't modify your behaviour and the price you will pay just is n't worth it . SAGITTARIUS ( Nov 23 — Dec 21 ) :
Idiom: in my book (used idiomatically: yes)
I do n't need to binge any more — I can have plenty to eat at mealtimes . Now this has n't happened just to me . My low fat eating programme , detailed in my Hip and Thigh Diet books , has helped hundreds of thousands of overweight men and women to lose weight and inches from their problem areas for the first time in their lives ! I have received literally thousands of letters from readers telling me of their successes . It has been so rewarding for me to read about the happiness and freedom from the prison of obesity that is now enjoyed by so many .
Idiom: head south (used idiomatically: yes)
Just before reaching the kennels join the start of a long diagonal path leading to the crest of Striding Edge . Follow the crest of the ridge to the summit of Helvellyn ( 3 miles ) . From the summit head south along the broad path which follows the summit ridge . This soon branches in two . Follow the right hand branch to Wythburn .
Idiom: rough and ready (used idiomatically: yes)
Estimating market demand by analogy This technique might be used when there is no data available for estimating the total market size for a product . It is only a rough - and - ready estimating method , but one which can be very useful ( if its limitations are recognised ) . ( 1 ) Cross section comparison . A cross-section comparison works on the assumption that the current markets in country A and country B are analogous , and a relationship ( correlation ) exists in both countries between :
Idiom: under the microscope (used idiomatically: yes)
Stereoprofilometry A skin imprint technique which manufacturers use to try and prove their creams give good results . An adhesive resin is applied to the skin surface . This is peeled off and examined under a microscope . A fine needle is passed over the mould to get a surface profile of the skin so it is possible to prove if wrinkles are less deep than before . PROBLEM SKIN
Idiom: work your fingers to the bone (used idiomatically: yes)
Theda , listen to me . You must cease this nonsensical life of yours , slaving away as if you were a servant ! Oh , yes , Taggy told me how you have been working your fingers to the bone.’ ‘ She exaggerates,’ Theda said . ‘ No , she does not !
Idiom: point the finger (used idiomatically: yes)
The balance has shifted from a financial structure which was predominantly state - based with some transnational links , to a predominantly global system in which some residual local differences in markets , institutions and regulations persist as vestiges of a bygone age . The pressures for greater convergence of national policy , at least among the developed countries , are irresistible . Peter Drucker may have overstated his case when he observed that ‘ capital movements rather than trade … have become the driving force of the world economy’(Drucker , 1986 : p. 768 ) , but he has pointed the finger at a central issue in the global environment . The world economy controls events , not the macro - economics of the nation state . Consequently , developments in the international financial structure have had a decisive influence on how wealth - creating activities are divided among nations .
Idiom: on the carpet (used idiomatically: yes)
She did n't have to ask if Christine knew what had been going on here . Of course she knew . Lucy moved into the main room , barefoot on the carpet . ‘ How could you?’ she said . ‘ How could you live like this?’
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
However , the officers are all additional . To date , 84 are in post , and 51 offers of posts have been made . So we are well on the way to achieving the recruitment targets that have been set with a view to making the decision as effective as possible . Clause 5 was commented on by the hon . Member for Sedgefield and by my hon . Friend the Member for Waveney ( Mr. Porter ) . I wish to make it clear that it is a safety net clause which follows on similar provisions made for the telecommunications , electricity and water industries .
Idiom: jump on the bandwagon (used idiomatically: yes)
We needed the support of DJs and radio stations , but they saw someone doing something different and would n't accept it . There are a lot of people here who are afraid to take chances and do new things . They wait till something gets hot and then jump on the bandwagon.’ If it was a struggle to establish techno at home , by comparison , other places took to Inner City immediately . Over lunch in a Chinese restaurant in the Renaissance Centre — a huge tubular steel and glass shopping mall put up in an attempt to disguise Detroit 's decaying heart — Paris Gray is recounting the countries she 's visited in the past couple of months .
Idiom: stake a claim (used idiomatically: yes)
Part of this myth is perpetrated by educationists who have been no nearer a press shop than a picture in a newspaper ; parents also see their offspring in cleaner , more ' respectable ' jobs . So the success of 20 youngsters on a two - week work experience programme in the Swindon plant on Monday is crucial to the future of engineering in general and the motor industry in particular . There will soon be a severe shortage of young people for any industry , so the motor industry needs to stake its claim fast . This latest group of teenagers at Rover come from local schools . Many may have already been to the Saturday morning Skills Club which introduces Swindon schoolchildren to a workshop , supervised by senior instructors and apprentices and teaching simple engineering skills .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
On 8 October 2001 , a UNOMIG helicopter was shot down close to the entrance of the valley ; all nine persons on board were killed .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
She will believe the true situation only when she can see it for herself . ' ' In the meantime it 's possible you could lose Ling , ' Lucy warned . ' Do n't worry — I 've had a word in his ear . ' She stood up and began to gather the plates , remarking as she did so , ' When I 've washed these dishes it 'll be time to leave for the hospital . ' Together they cleared the table , and as they moved about the kitchen Lucy thought of her aunt , and in doing so she remembered something that caused her to turn to Silas .
Idiom: on top of the world (used idiomatically: yes)
But they 're not prepared to , to leave NUPE , let go of something you know unless it 's better than what they 've had . And the past few years have been good years of course Erm since we 've got we , we are on top of the world . You know erm we 've recruited more , we 've we 've enjoyed it more . Erm and they 're , they 're more inclined to listen shop stewards and believe the lies we tell them , you know ?
Idiom: spit it out (used idiomatically: yes)
Swirl it around your mouth — different areas are sensitive to certain tastes . Draw in a little air to release the flavours — this takes some practice , and do n't worry about making slurping noises ! Once you have swirled the wine around your tastebuds , spit it out into a lined bucket . This may seem rather inelegant or wasteful but , if you are sampling several wines , swallowing them all will result in your senses of taste and smell , and thus your powers of differentiation , becoming jaded . Balancing act
Idiom: go downhill (used idiomatically: yes)
It was in the last Staff Association agreement . Do n't you ever read your memos?’ ‘ If they 're hiring your sort of freelance now , we must really be going downhill fast.’ ‘ Ms Topaz told me you were always too big for your boots.’ ‘ When it comes to someone getting ideas above her station , Anya … ’
Idiom: pick up the pieces (used idiomatically: no)
Another family of worms which are welcome are the terebellids . These worms have a similar food - gathering strategy to the more familiar filter - feeding tubeworms , but instead of the feathery heads of fanworms have long , sticky tentacles which they wave in the current or drag over the substrate in search of food particles which are then carried back to the mouth as the tentacles are drawn in . Some terebellids live in burrows in the substrate , others build tubes of coral sand which they pick up , piece by piece , using the sticky tentacles . One specimen in my own tank has tentacles about a foot long , whereas the body of the worm , in its sand tube , is only about an inch in length . Above : Not all worms which turn up , uninvited , in the aquarium , are unwelcome .
Idiom: in no uncertain terms (used idiomatically: no)
Tralbaut mentions an old woman who knew Vincent well , and who told him , many years ago when he began his researches , ‘ There are n't men like that nowadays.’ Vincent would enter houses and tell exhausted women to go and rest , and then take over the family wash . There are even rumours of near miracles he accomplished , such as the conversion of a foul - mouthed old alcoholic , hurt in the Marcasse pit disaster , who told him in no uncertain terms to clear off , he did n't want rosary - mumblers around him , and then was converted by Vincent 's sanctity . The more tender - hearted biographers have pictured Vincent as a St Francis , lifting straying caterpillars from the ground and placing them gently on branches , leaving cheese and milk for the mice while he starved on bread and water . In the words of others he springs into action as a political firebrand , marching into the coal - owners ' offices and demanding justice for their exploited work - force , only to be told that the coal seams were too meagre and the profit margin too small to provide improvements in safety standards .
Idiom: make short work of (used idiomatically: yes)
He saw Gilleis shrink in Adam 's arm , and turned his face away into the shadow of his hand , wishing the words back . Wales was a different matter . The march might be a girdle of lawless palatines , only elusively within reach of the King 's justice , but the shadow of royal displeasure was at least a curb there ; but Gwynedd , though it formerly owned Henry as suzerain , was a free principality , and could harbour runaways and make short work of captured felons with impunity . That was his achievement . The final and absolute statement of his sovereignty had been the hanging of a felon out of hand .
Idiom: cramp someone's style (used idiomatically: yes)
I 've led a number of races and I do n't think I have made too many cockups . ‘ As far as Frank is concerned , he is entirely satisfied with what I am doing and he has given me the space to get on with it . ‘ He 's not putting any pressure on me that would cramp my style at all.’ Hill blasted critics who believe he could have blocked the Frenchman 's passing move in Montreal instead of moving across to allow him room to go through . He said : ‘ I am doing it my way and if I am to be able to beat Alain Prost I want to do it on the track by out - driving him , not by any other means .