Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
By MARK PAPPENHEIM Mozart is my whole life at the moment,’ says soprano Joan Rodgers . ‘ I keep telling myself that it will stand me in good stead when I 'm about 40 and doing my first Isolde!’ But she 's not really complaining : Mozart launched her international career at the 1982 Aix Festival when at short notice , and at only 25 , she took on the role of Pamina in The Magic Flute . She 's since sung Pamina , Zerlina and Despina under Barenboim in Paris and , before the axe fell on the conductor 's brief reign at the Bastille , was to have done the three Da Ponte pieces with him and Patrice Chereau .
Idiom: the joke is on someone (used idiomatically: yes)
Not all my school friends believed I was training an owl , so when they said things like , ‘ What 're you doing tonight then , Jon?’ I 'd say , with a wicked grin , ‘ Oh , I 'm spending the evening with me bird.’ Of course , they 'd immediately jump to the wrong conclusion and think I was talking about a girlfriend , and I 'd get some almighty teasing , but the joke was on them ! Of course , there was a more serious side to all this . It was true : I was spending every evening and night with my owl , so I was n't leading what could be considered a normal teenager 's life .
Idiom: piping hot (used idiomatically: yes)
Special because of the secret ingredient which was a dessert spoonful of sugar , held in the top of the fire until it flamed , when it would be stirred rapidly in the gravy , a job that I liked doing . The same spoon had been used for this for many years and was burnt black . There was a fruit pie of some sort with delicious crust pastry — each helping covered with freshly made piping hot custard . Dad always did the washing up on Sundays and we children all had our jobs . Whilst my sisters wiped up , from an early age I was given the task of transporting the clean china and utensils from the lid of the copper ( there was no draining board ) to the kitchen table for one of the adults to put away .
Idiom: on the game (used idiomatically: yes)
KING FOR A DAY Hampden Babylon is a book about the sordid and seedy underbelly of Scottish football , but in many respects it is also a book about Scotland itself . It feeds off the passions of a small and economically dependent country and the emotional demands it places on the game . It searches for heroes in the knowledge that villains are thick on the ground . It wallows in the worst excesses of sentimentality and adopts a moral tone that condemns and condones misbehaviour in the same breath .
Idiom: play into someone's hands (used idiomatically: yes)
Once again she was being used to wave in front of Claudine and she knew it . She regretted the effort she had put into her appearance . Almost everything she did played right into Alain 's hands . The château was , as she had been told , not too far away . It was so well hidden by forest , however , that they were almost upon it before she really had the chance to look .
Idiom: down the hatch (used idiomatically: yes)
He was absolutely impossible . ‘ Where the hell 's that coffee?’ Nathan roared down the hatch . Polly lifted her chin . She 'd taken as much from him as she was going to .
Idiom: get wind of (used idiomatically: yes)
One is that Hastings was unhappy with Gloucester 's wish to extend his power as protector beyond the coronation , but this seems illogical when the available evidence suggests that Hastings had earlier welcomed Gloucester as a bulwark against the increase in Woodville power likely to follow the young king 's nominal assumption of authority . Somewhat more plausible is the possibility that Gloucester had decided to proceed to the execution of the captured Woodvilles ( as his letter to York perhaps implies ) and that Hastings , while willing to see Woodville power limited , was not prepared to countenance their execution . Finally , Hastings may have got wind of Gloucester 's designs on the throne . This is the most likely , in so far as the threatened deposition of Edward V would provide the strongest reason for Hastings to switch sides , but in that case any conspiracy becomes the result , and not the cause , of Gloucester 's decision to take the throne . A more fundamental difficulty in the way of accepting the conspiracy , whether as cause or effect , is the complete lack of contemporary evidence .
Idiom: lift a finger (used idiomatically: yes)
And erm . I did n't stay at that school long before I moved down to erm the er Tins School on Chandler Street . And in the He he he 'd give you the thrashing if just lifted your fingers up . And we used to There at there at that school every morning we hads to line in the in the playground and he used inspect your hands for cleanliness , and your shoes . Your shoes always had to be clean , brushed , you see ?
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
CHRISTOPHER EVERARD Eighteen WHEN THE SIGNALS to cease battle had been exchanged , and there had come a respite in the noise , and the smoke was curling lazily into the blue where clouds flocked and billowed , the islanders fell back and took stock of their situation . The dead lay in rows under fans of palm and banana , so many dead the survivors had wept that they had been spared . The massacre was shameful , the losses piteous .
Idiom: in the soup (used idiomatically: yes)
Coffin thought he would be glad to have the full postmortem results on each body to know exactly how much poison was inside each stomach . They had all taken enough to kill , that was sure . Strange way to commit murder and then suicide , he reflected , putting potassium cyanide in the curry soup . Mask the flavour , of course . Which did seem to point to someone who knew about the curry soup being prepared for supper .
Idiom: by dint of (used idiomatically: yes)
Franco 's propagandists spared no efforts to demonstrate that the international community had at last recognized the rightness of his principles , or to extol what they called the enormous political skill of the man who had foreseen the Cold War years before it became reality . One of Franco 's most fervent supporters , Luis Galinsoga , editor of the Barcelona daily , La Vanguardia , lauded the Generalísimo as the " sentry of the west " and the " guardian of the European spiritual fortress " — a description which undoubtedly fitted perfectly Franco 's own image of himself and his role in Spanish and world politics . The enthusiasm of official propaganda derived partly from the triumphalism inherent in a regime which had come into being by dint of a military victory , and partly from the need to conceal , or divert attention away from domestic problems . As we noted earlier , one of the reasons why Franco ultimately revised his former anti - western attitudes was that the crisis of economic autarchy left him little choice . The Spanish economy desperately needed external aid and , in order to get it , economic policy - makers had to accept the prescriptions of their benefactors as to how the economy should be organized .
Idiom: hit the jackpot (used idiomatically: yes)
He would probably say that his is a case of the unexcitable in pursuit of the unexciting , but the sound , and at times beautiful hockey which he has inspired ( particularly in the second half of the season ) gives the lie to such modesty . Indeed , a very clubbable man . Alton College hit jackpot The Alton College mixed hockey team had a successful day at the Totton College mixed sevens tournament in Southampton last week . Alton sent two teams to the competition , made up of first and second year students .
Idiom: have an eye for (used idiomatically: yes)
they 're pandering to ghoulish voyeurism . Well there 's that I mean there 's all , there 's a whole range of things , there 's ghoulish voyeurism right , I mean that that 's important , there 's also the way the Royals have been peddled by the media over the decades and the fact that you know this has been how they 've been tendered this is what they actually are and that y you , you know what I 'm saying that erm or whatever it is between this is what they are , this is what we 've been and they do n't match , they really do n't match . I mean sexy little telephone calls between he who will be king and his , is she a mistress , is she a girlfriend , is she merely a friend , but at any event she 's married and her husband 's in the next bedroom as far as we can gather , you know erm do those kind of conversations and would , I mean maybe it 's important to sort of say and Anne probably has this , but Peter might not , I mean when I grew up the Royal Family were a cert sort of image and you might have known about George the Third who was mad , I mean who else was brought up George the Third was mad and Geor an and this guy was a , a drunk and this guy was a a womaniser , this guy was this , but Victoria you know mourned for sixty years or whatever it was , but this Royal Family , I E the , the Royal Family with which I grew up and Anne did were really sweet nice little Windsors who behaved themselves and that was what was , went into our psychic and there was the odd crack about Phil the Great who 's the Queen 's husband , you know and how he perhaps had an eye for the ladies , but there was never any photographs of him being or any evidence that it might have gone further than that particular and basically there was , that any , there was the fact that he was a sailor when he married the Queen anyway so all sailors are like that are n't they ! But then here we are twenty thirty years on and those of us who had that upbringing about the purity of that Royal Family that 's suddenly been confronted with this image that 's anything but that and you know and I 'm , and I , and it 's been and now you have the tabloids saying giving you pictorial evidence of its any , any but that and so that whole erm image , view that a lot of Britons grew up with has gone , it 's been But , but , but the whole social and cultural revolution evolution change has led I think to whole different schisms in the press which perhaps may have existed in some of the very one might almost say near communist publication like the
Idiom: come to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
Interims : extracts from the papers WITH the Interim results a few weeks behind us , here are some of the interpretations of the City journalist . The pre - tax figure was above City expectations and gave evidence that the bank is finally coming to grips with its bad - debt problem . The Herald The highlight at the Royal Bank these days is Direct Line .
Idiom: give and take (used idiomatically: no)
Since the light hurt his blinded eye , and indeed the cut which had damaged it was not yet healed , he went with it bandaged and darkened with a black shade . Hotspur 's wardrobe furnished him with clothes , and Hotspur 's stable , when he was strong enough , and already restive with inaction , supplied him with a mount . His parole was given and taken , and there was no need for him to lack exercise . They rode together , hawked together , played chess together , and to work off the convalescent 's stiffness as his wounds healed , essayed a little mild sword - play together . The prisoner was popular with those who attended on him , adored and followed round faithfully by the children , and well - liked by Elizabeth , to whom he was heartily gallant .
Idiom: at a loose end (used idiomatically: yes)
He and Ollie and Mac made a good team , playing at various Underground stations all that autumn and winter until Mac left because he had found a place to live up north and they took Peter on . They met Peter at Cambridge School , where they were all living . He had lost his job because the club where he played the piano had to close and , though he was after another one on the switchboard in a hospice , he was for the time being at a loose end . Peter could play a lot of instruments , though none very well . When Tom told his grandmother he was moving out of her house and confessed — because since the accident he had also stopped lying , could not be bothered with prevarication — that he had been busking at stations , she told him she was horrified , she was disappointed in him .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Sir : A nation 's perception of itself and its values are reflected in the portraits on its banknotes . Ours currently extol the virtues of Britain 's response to the French Revolution ( £5 ) , remind us of our traditional relationship with Russia ( £10 ) , the danger implicit in teenage romance ( £20 ) and the importance of our architectural heritage ( £50 ) . The withdrawal of the pound note with Sir Isaac Newton leaves no place in the nation 's pockets for science . Would it not be appropriate for this situation to be remedied by putting Charles Darwin on a new £100 note to emphasise to the world , in these uncertain times , our tradition of change by evolution and not revolution ? Letter : Recycling waste
Idiom: foot the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
If experts can not agree that there is a climate crisis , why should governments spend billions of dollars to address it ? The fact is that the critics – who are few in number but aggressive in their attacks – are deploying tactics that they have honed for more than 25 years . During their long campaign , they have greatly exaggerated scientific disagreements in order to stop action on climate ~ change , with special interests like Exxon Mobil footing the bill . Many books have recently documented the games played by the climate - change deniers . Merchants of Doubt , a new book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik ~ Conway set for release in mid-2010 , will be an authoritative account of their misbehavior .
Idiom: on the cuff (used idiomatically: yes)
Original features include narrow epaulettes , snap front pockets , collar snaps , leather hanging loop , hook and eye neck closure and underarm eyelets for ventilation . The zipper and snaps are solid brass . The bi - directional knitted wool on the cuffs and waistband resist stretching and pilling , while keeping out the wind . Side entry hand warmer pockets and a durable nylon lining make this an ideal three season garment . You wo n't find a higher quality A-2 anywhere .
Idiom: take someone's word for it (used idiomatically: yes)
Did n't take , did n't bother with the chicken . And she did n't , she scarcely even looked at the label . She took my word for it . Unfortunately because it , it was a special sell today job with a reduction off others I did n't get much money back . And then went and bought another fresh chicken had to pay even more money for it .
Idiom: run out of steam (used idiomatically: yes)
Briefed comprehensively by my fastidious fiancee on ironing strategy —‘Never start from the front / make sure you give the cuffs a decent jet of steam … not like that , you chump!’— I set about a pile of shirts , mainly cotton but one silk , and a range of trousers . First you must fill the tank — a relatively idiot - proof exercise , though you must remember to unscrew it carefully and slowly when replenishing it , since the steam is kept under considerable pressure . A pilot light on the tank 's control panel conveniently lets you know when the iron is running out of steam . There is no doubting the iron 's power . Even the shirts which had been left for many weeks in my laundry out - tray responded to the punishment it dished out .
Idiom: when push comes to shove (used idiomatically: yes)
( The bank clerk who had occupied it had been called up to the army . ) He seized on it and asked when he could move in . I immediately backtracked , and he said with a sorrow that made me feel guilty , ' When push comes to shove , nobody wants me . ' I began to defend my withdrawal . I said that soon he would be in the Air Force and no longer a financial burden on Elfed , and , even more than that , when the war was over he would be a wage - earner at something or other , and would be able to help Elfed and Cis ; what was more , Elfed would be already well aware that the liability he resented would become an asset he welcomed .
Idiom: fill the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
I stayed in Leeds because I had a circle of friends there . I was just playing bass in my bedroom before I joined The Lost Pandas,’ he says . Gregory filled the bill ideally but his diffidence surprised even Gedge . ‘ He was really quiet , a weird person to be in group I suppose . He was dead modest .
Idiom: stake a claim (used idiomatically: yes)
He soon became a permanent fixture in our Southern and United League teams and his delicate ball - playing skills rapidly earned him the quaint nickname ' Lady ' , and a special place in the affections of Palace supporters . Upon the Palace being accepted into the 1st Division of the Southern League , Woodger continued to progress as a valuable goalscorer , as well as developing and displaying a full range of skills . His best season with the Palace was undoubtedly 1907–08 , during which he staked his claim for a full England cap and was England 's reserve against Scotland . Sadly for us , George found it necessary to reach the top via a Football League club and he moved to Oldham in September 1910 , for a fee variously quoted as between £ 450 and £ 800 , in order to gain his England recognition . WOODRUFF , Bobby
Idiom: rock the boat (used idiomatically: yes)
As far as Donleavy and his masters were concerned , clearly nothing was more important than preserving the integrity of Tony Asmar 's network of agents in Lebanon . They were Washington 's eyes and ears . We could have gotten the hostages out any damn time we wanted to [ Coleman insists ] , but nobody was willing to rock the boat with a rescue operation . We knew where they were . We knew who their guards were .
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
When they arrive in America , they 'll get the pips and then the police will catch them!’ Sherlock Holmes is a very clever detective , but he can do nothing about the weather . The winter storms at sea that year were worse than ever , and so the Star never arrived in Georgia , and nobody saw the captain or his men again . The murderers of John Openshaw did not get the pips , but , in the end , death came to them .
Idiom: with open arms (used idiomatically: yes)
On the edge of Exmoor . There was no problem booking . Indeed , after another bad summer for British tourism , they were welcomed with open arms . They had a drink before dinner sitting in a bay window , watching dusk creep up on Dunkery Beacon . They talked a lot during dinner and then after a couple of brandies , went up to the bedroom .
Idiom: sign of the times (used idiomatically: yes)
" Those who call this ' saving to destroy ' have not read the signs of the times correctly .
Idiom: on paper (used idiomatically: yes)
Now , generally speaking wi I I I 've act what I 've done for the re - sit paper is that I I pooled a load of questions , some of which went to the first paper and some of which went to the ne and some of which went to the re - sit paper so I do n't know which topics are coming up erm on the re - sit paper . However , they will be drawn from the same list of topics that 're on the first and there may be some overlap . Generally speaking , re - sit paper erm will contain at least one question very similar to a question on the first paper . Er I , does anybody know where the past papers are kept ? Yeah , in the library , that 's where I 'd usually go and look for them
Idiom: old hat (used idiomatically: no)
And while Sara was pleased to accept girls from the big houses round about , she also wanted pupils from less luxurious backgrounds in the town and from Bridgeborough . She did not want to cultivate the snob image . It was old hat , anyway . Her school was going to be right with it , modem , classless , with no absurd delusions about exclusivity . She forgot about David Fairfax and got on with her afternoon work .
Idiom: on the run (used idiomatically: no)
It 's not in his character.’ ‘ Well , unless he turns himself in we have to assume that he is the killer . And the longer he remains on the run , the worse it will become for him.’ ‘ I think he 's being held against his will somewhere,’ she said . ‘ Perhaps he 's already fled the country .
Idiom: put a foot wrong (used idiomatically: yes)
Many of the most apparently distinguished honours are a reward for little more than longevity or political servitude . The class hierarchy is alive and well in the gradations through the 250 different decorations which the Crown awards . The system ensures that those who might seem most deserving receive perhaps an Order of the British Empire ( OBE)— or a British Empire Medal ( BEM ) for those ‘ who do not qualify by rank for the higher awards’— while a bureaucrat who has successfully worked his way to the top of the civil service without putting a foot wrong will get a knighthood in the Order of the Bath . The civil division of the Order of the Bath is the jealously guarded preserve of the home civil service , so that every six months a new crop of bureaucrats begin making their way from Companion of the Bath to Knight Commander or Dame Commander to Knight Grand Cross . The principle is the good old British device of Buggins ' Turn .
Idiom: on ice (used idiomatically: yes)
Have you got it ? ' ' Yes , ' Harvey said . I noticed he kept his head bent downward , for even out here on the ice a parabolic reflector microphone could pick us up . ' I hope you have n't broken any of them ? ' ' No .
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: yes)
I propose that it should be treated as a case of criminal kidnap until we have evidence to the contrary.’ Bliss 's cheeks reddened . D'Arcy was throwing down a direct challenge for him to come clean , and he knew it . Roman looked sympathetic . He understood that D'Arcy was after the best opportunity to get his client 's wife and child back alive .
Idiom: foot the bill (used idiomatically: yes)
Third , some analysts who have studied Superfund admit its weaknesses but argue that its shortcomings are less than those of the alternatives . Kate Probst , of Resources for the Future , argues that it is usually fairer to penalise polluters than to leave the taxpayer to clean up dirty old sites . After all , if the taxpayer footed the entire bill , some polluters would enjoy windfall gains — especially now that land prices have begun to incorporate contamination costs . Miss Probst points out that the law gives the private sector a strong incentive to clean up at the lowest possible cost . When the Rand study looked at five giant companies with Superfund sites , it found that their legal fees were only 21 % of what they spent on cleaning up , and much less when only one company was involved in cleaning a site .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: no)
But it is what the more energetic and motivated of these human resources — her people — have managed to do with the material resources that — to quote from just three current claims , which some might think exaggerated — has triggered an economic revolution , caught the rest of the world unprepared and given birth to a whole new era and a brand - new geography . Many metaphors are used . On one rather bloodless level , the phenomenon of the New Pacific is the consequence of what happens when all the curves by which we define a region 's resources suddenly reach their peaks simultaneously , and produce a wave of dramatic geometric harmony — the whole wave being far greater and more impressive than the sum of its component curves . In a more romantic mode , it is as though a thousand lone voices have suddenly and unexpectedly found common cause in one majestic chorus , which is now drowning out the discordant notes heard from beyond the main stage . Or again , it is as though the disorganized and random bursts of photons present in a beam of white light were suddenly all being accelerated and agitated to precisely the same frequency and directed at the same spot — to produce the awesome source of energy that we have come to know as the laser .