Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: split hairs (used idiomatically: no)
In fact they were stereotypes , well known in the popular theatre and instantly recognised as are supercilious members of the upper classes , superior servants and prostitutes . This is useful when telling a story , particularly as prostitutes appear in many ballets . One expects and sees silk stockings or nowadays fish-net tights on made-up hussies with split or very short skirts , or brief frilly knickers , low-necked bodices or tight gaudy corsets , elaborate hair-dos or hats , and so on . They are found in ballets by Jooss , Massine , MacMillan and others . Yet in The Rake 's Progress de Valois found something new to say about the ladies of the town when she made their leader kick off her shoes , pull up her long yellow skirt and roll down her red stockings before bursting barefooted into a riotous dance on a great salver .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
It can sometimes be difficult to decide when to start antibiotic therapy . Unless started very early in the course of the disease , antibiotics do not prevent the development of abscesses and can sometimes just delay their development . Unless the horse is very sick or the swelling is severely affecting eating or breathing , it is sometimes better to delay antibiotics until the abscesses come up to a head and burst . I think antibiotics should be used in young animals as they can become very ill with strangles . Also if abscesses come up in sites other than between the lower jaw antibiotics should be used as these abscesses can get very large without treatment .
Idiom: take heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Mutual terror of the electorate kept the arrangement intact . The Conservatives have not experienced being in minority government at all this century , although after the election of February 1974 , Edward Heath tried unsuccessfully to entice the Liberals into coalition . However the Tories , who have gone into coalition only in times of great national danger , can take heart from history . On historical form , the Liberal Democrats will agree either to support a minority Labour government which will be short lived , or join a coalition which will swiftly become unpopular . Either way it is likely , as Palmerston said of a projected coalition with Disraeli in 1857 , to be little more than ‘ the accident and fortuitous concurrence of atoms’ .
Idiom: on the nose (used idiomatically: yes)
The vardo was gone . Had last night been a dream ? No , there was Tumbleweed asleep under an old army greatcoat , a ladybird ambling about on his twitching nose . Good gracious ! Have I been asleep under a hedge with a strange man not my husband ?
Idiom: silence is golden (used idiomatically: yes)
South - East Silence is Golden Twenty four girls at the Southampton 1st Woolston ( St Mark 's ) Brownie Pack discovered for themselves that silence is golden by keeping absolutely quiet for half - an - hour and earning £ 200 from sponsors . " It was as hard for me to keep quiet as it was for them , " Brown Owl , Mrs Sheila Scott , told the Southampton and District WWF Group Chairman , Geoffrey Cockrell , when he went along to one of their cheerful , noisy meetings in July to receive a cheque for WWF . In return he presented the Pack with a WWF miniature shield as a token of appreciation of the £ 200 their golden silence had contributed to WWF funds .
Idiom: off the cuff (used idiomatically: yes)
we had a fabulous time , did n't we ? yeah Just off the cuff like that . Yeah , well I mean it 's always the unexpected Oh yeah
Idiom: knock someone's socks off (used idiomatically: yes)
Photographic memory ‘ It 's a cute bird . It wo n't knock your socks off , but any new species of parrot is pretty exciting.’ So says Charles Munn , who made the first known sighting of this small parrot in 1985 , at clay - eating cliff in Peru 's Manu National Park . Since then , he has seen the bird many times in the park , though the full extent of its range is not yet known .
Idiom: make a move (used idiomatically: yes)
Reed beds offer a highly effective treatment because bacteria living within the root system breaks down the effluent into water , nitrogen and carbon dioxide . Oxygen supplied to the roots via the reed stems encourages this bacterial process . Whatever moves are made or decisions taken , ICI 's policy will be to continue reducing mercury emissions . ' Mercury level in the Mersey is comparable to EC limits for drinking water . ' Facing up to recycling targets
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
Before I thread the rod with a line from the fixed - spool reel 1 hesitate and look again at those blackened roots that reach into the undercut . Finesse will not be the order of this swim . No , those roots demand bully - boy tactics ; the chub given no quarter ; make or break ; muck or nettles ; call it what you will . The chub in this river , however , are no monsters , nowhere near approaching the record of 8 lb 4 oz . There are some big ones , but a 5-pounder would be exceptional .
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
In Kingston they will operate ‘ in tandem’ , although the meaning of this is not dealt with in the plan : [ T]he mental health sector will be working in collaboration with the health service in developing a ‘ Care Programme Approach’ to the provision of services to people who have been diagnosed as having a serious mental illness . The principles of this approach are similar to that of ‘ Case Assessment’ and ‘ Care Management’and will operate in tandem . In Bexley , by comparison , the community care plan anticipates no change at all in existing systems of working to accommodate care programming : [ T]he existing system of professional decision making for people with mental health problems is one which already incorporates many of the best principles of care management .
Idiom: to boot (used idiomatically: yes)
Sergeant Joe finished his warming whisky , shook hands with Mr Singleton , took hold of his carpet - bag , and limped out of the cosy , club - like atmosphere of Hennessey 's . A good fellow , a fine soldier , thought Mr Singleton . And an artist to boot . Sergeant Joe paused for a moment on the pavement . He turned up his coat collar and gave his eyes time to adjust to the thickness of the night fog .
Idiom: make light of (used idiomatically: yes)
Age Concern runs tea dances , as do some local authorities , hotels and dance halls . For aching joints you ca n't beat swimming as an exercise . The support of the water makes light of stiffness and lack of agility . Some pools run special swimming groups for older people ( who may prefer to swim when there are no youngsters around ) , and adult classes for those who have never learnt to swim . Arthritis sufferers will also find cycling is good for the joints .
Idiom: take it from me (used idiomatically: yes)
You —’ ‘ Who in creation do you think —?’ ‘ Well , take it from me , lady,’ his aggression was in full force , ‘ no one gets their hooks into me that —’ Hooks ! ‘ You think that I … !’
Idiom: odds and ends (used idiomatically: yes)
I think it 's true to say as well , is n't it , Mr Treasurer , that there 's some money ticket money still to come . Oh yes . I 've still got a few odds and ends that are late late monies which will go in Yeah .
Idiom: born and bred (used idiomatically: yes)
. I 'm not from Surrey . I was born and bred in Berkshire . That 's right Was n't I ?
Idiom: in the pipeline (used idiomatically: yes)
He has devised a new C4 show , The Dice Game , loosely based on the idea in the book by Luke Rhinehart . ‘ It 's not so much a game show , more a study of psychology.’ And perhaps to placate Rhinehart before he sues , there is a documentary on the enigmatic American author in the pipeline , as well as Diary Of A Teenage Health Freak and a children 's comedy , Jackson Pace . And somewhere in the last six months he found time to contribute some enthusiastic atmospherics to New Order 's World Cup single , ‘ E Is For England’ . A long - time soccer fan , Allen once had professional trials for Southampton .
Idiom: move mountains (used idiomatically: yes)
The problem is that we lack virtually any faith . The problem is a lack of virtually any faith at all . What we need is not enormous confidence that we can move mountains as if they were molehills . What we need is not that grandiose . What the text says is that we are to have faith as a grain of mustard seed .
Idiom: collect dust (used idiomatically: no)
‘ This collects more bacteria , which leads to odour.’ Anyone who suspects they might have bad breath can check by looking at their tongue . Its uneven surface attracts food debris the way a deep pile carpet collects dust — but research shows that thorough cleansing can reduce mouth odour by 60 per cent . If a toothbrush tickles or makes you gag , try the new A / Mano tongue cleanser ( £ 6.95 , Harrods ) . It is a surgical steel scraper that removes oral debris in a couple of strokes .
Idiom: on the mend (used idiomatically: yes)
Maureen nursed him back to reasonable health in her bedroom . Every day after school I would rush round to her house to see how he was getting on and take a turn at feeding him . Once he was on the mend , we decided to try and do something about his crooked leg . Maureen came up with the ingenious idea of making a sling . It looked just like a sailor 's hammock made out of toilet paper , cotton wool and string .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
I wo n't rest till I have found the traitor.’ Johnny Come Lately Fergie and Johnny were in one of London 's most exclusive restaurants , their legs entwined under the table GIRLS , EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS … AND NOW THE ROYAL SCANDAL OF THE CENTURY
Idiom: long in the tooth (used idiomatically: yes)
The Anderson that was waiting for Arnold was Tip Senior . He would be in his sixties by then . A real character , but getting a bit long in the tooth . I said to old Tip , ‘ That 's Arnold over there,’ and he made himself known to him . Well , Arnold was quite taken aback and he blurted out , ‘ But you 're too old .
Idiom: keep the peace (used idiomatically: no)
You could only really believe it if the fire behind him was about 100 yards away he 'd be frying ! ' Murphy points out that Russell 's character is supposed to be a brave , devil - may - care type , but Walsh says : ' Yes , but even so , he 'd have worn breathing apparatus surely I suppose you 've got to see his mug on screen , though . ' Keep Pennine peace quiet SO WE have The Last Wilderness in the Northern Pennines an area of outstanding natural beauty . Peace , quiet , empty roads , farmers getting on with farming .
Idiom: round the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
Three of the walls were papered in a light cream colour and decorated with a selection of framed sketches of the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza , commissioned by the Secretary - General himself . The fourth wall was constructed of rows of teak slats , incorporated into which were two seamless sliding doors , impossible to detect with the naked eye and only capable of being activated by miniature sonic transmitters . The door to the right led into the UNACO command centre , manned round the clock by teams of analysts monitoring the fluctuating developments in world affairs . Massive multi - coloured electronic charts and maps plotted the vacillating movements in known trouble - spots , computer print - outs updated existing material and VDUs displayed detailed information on known criminals at the touch of a button , feeding off the thousands of names stored in the system 's central memory bank . It was the nerve centre of UNACO 's highly sophisticated world operation .
Idiom: down in the dumps (used idiomatically: yes)
Answers to questions about their fellow workers ' reactions when they heard the news of planned redundancies suggested a difference in attitude between some of those who were close to pension age and had been with the company for long periods and other workers . The following comments were typical : Some were very angry , they thought it would last for ever ; yes a bit down in the dumps , especially the younger people , some old people looked forward to it . ( Man 65 , early retired ) It just depends , some of them were laughing , they were pleased enough .
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
It did n't matter what fitzAlan did to her now . It did n't matter what happened to her . Nothing mattered any more — except the truth that was breaking her heart . She loved him . ‘ My lady?’
Idiom: give and take (used idiomatically: no)
‘ It is ideal for a husband and wife team , ’ says Chris . You can run the whole thing from home and the machines fit easily into most cars . ‘ We will give franchisees all the training in selling and fitting them — it takes about 30 minutes to install one — but we find many people are keen on DIY and would want to do their own . ’ Riverside is looking for about 50 to 60 franchisees in the next year and they estimate it is possible to earn about £1,500 a week . The company also has a number of other franchises which they operate throughout Britain , including the pet food delivery company Trophy UK and Clearshield , a product for making glass dirt-proof .
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
At the time it had been easy enough to make the pledge he had demanded , since she had n't been able to imagine a situation where she would ever want to attack anyone . But that had been before she had met Adam Burns ! For a moment she wavered , torn between the desire to finally get the best of him in something , and the equally strong need to stick to her word . At last her conscience won out and she gave a tiny sigh , wishing not for the first time that she could , just occasionally , be a touch more ruthless . ' I would n't give you the satisfaction , ' she said , tilting her chin scornfully .
Idiom: for a song (used idiomatically: yes)
But the weekly half - hour I liked best was devoted to the old music hall songs of the ' gay nineties ' , many of which I had heard my father sing . I remember him teaching us songs like ' Daisy Bell ' , ' I Do n't Want to Play in Your Yard ' , ' The Preacher and the Bear ' and others , including many from the Savoy operas . I wrote the lyrics and Harry Pryce composed the music for a theme song for ' From Leicester Square to Broadway ' . The programme featured soloists Isabel McEwan , William Carr and the Barber Shop Quartet , with Harry conducting the ' pit orchestra ' , and introductions by the ' Old Stager ' , Bill Buckingham . It was a fast moving show that dealt largely in nostalgia .
Idiom: have a ball (used idiomatically: no)
Secondly — we are introducing a special family ticket to cover to adults and two / three children . Thirdly — we are planning a separate programme for the children so that you ( Mum ) will be free to enjoy the lively classes to be given by Margaret Charlwood and Chris Markham — one class will be with scarves — so please bring a large silky / rayon / polyester square with you and although not compulsory if we could keep to a blue theme for leotards it would make a lovely contrast with the scarves . This will be followed by the display programme and then we are planning a sponsored event which can be as a family team , with Mum , children and husband / grannie / auntie or a group of friends — each team of four plus one must have a ball . This event has been devised by one of our teachers , Pat Palmer , and she will take you through your paces . The charities benefiting will be Action Research for the Crippled Child , Age Concern and the Medau Society .
Idiom: up for grabs (used idiomatically: yes)
THE British National Championships at Crystal Palace at the weekend once again saw Wolverhampton dominate the proceedings , with their fighters Elvis Gordon , at heavyweight , Densign White , at middleweight , Fitzroy Davies , at light - middleweight , and Owen Pinnock the bantamweight all taking gold medals . There was , however , no Wolverhampton presence in the category which generated the greatest interest this weekend — the light - heavyweight . Following the Olympic bronze medalist Denis Stewart 's decision to retire from competition after a poor performance in the world championships in Belgrade , two months ago , the No.1 spot was up for grabs . Stewart 's bitter rival , the veteran Nicholas Kokataylo , the 33-year - old from Denton , in Manchester , was favourite for the gold medal , but a strong challenge was expected from newcomer to the weight , Ray Stevens , 26 , of the London Budokwai . The reigning Commonwealth middleweight champion Stevens was forced to move up to the heavier weight following a knee injury and a prolonged viral infection .
Idiom: kick the habit (used idiomatically: yes)
With a laconic shrug , he put the packet back in his pocket , then leaned against the desk , crossing his ankles . ‘ You are quite right . I 'm trying to kick the habit.’ ‘ Sorry … I 'm afraid that sounded rather bossy … ’
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I became really sick here for the first time and did n't know what was going on,’ he recalls . ‘ I was sick for two years . I was n't coming to terms with it and did n't know what to do . I was n't taking care of myself . Then I decided I really wanted to do music again , started taking care of myself and now things are a lot better.’
Idiom: get the picture (used idiomatically: yes)
Linguists , psychologists and AI workers have theories about what procedures might select the right sense on the basis of sensible rules and reject the wrong one . However , it is plain that the speaker of English , although he performs this general task reliably thousands of times a day , has no idea whatever how he does it , and may well have a healthy scepticism about proffered accounts in terms of linguistic or other rules . Yet how can we get a picture of the way in which it is possible to accept both that a task is done by rules ( for it is certainly not done randomly ) and yet the performer has no access whatever to the rules ? Wittgenstein pointed out that no account is satisfactory that assumes that a human somehow surveys the alternatives and chooses one : ' It is as if I should say that the application of a word does not pass in one moment in front of my eye'(1964 : 15 ) . Yet it is not too hard to imagine how a computer parsing program might achieve some such effect : if we ask an English speaker how he does it , we may well get some reply like ' Well , I 'm simply looking for a sense of the word related to drinking , are n't I ? '
Idiom: on the hop (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Those biscuits of yours that went down so very well at the last Parents’ Evening . I wonder —’ Compliments always caught Miss Gilberd on the hop , she was so little used to them . She blushed . ‘ Of course , Headmaster .
Idiom: at the end of the day (used idiomatically: yes)
Let 's put that side of the protest to bed . When we get to the jobs erm side of it the jobs I I I 'm accused outside this afternoon of of putting in jeopardy one thousand something jobs erm , this authority got rid of seven hundred jobs , education jobs er only a few months ago and there 's many more , something on the region of two thousand jobs will be lost in this authority without a protest . without protest from a parent , without a protest from a hunter without a protest from er a anyone else , that is a shame , because I tell you what , if you go drag hunting , you can keep the jobs the people are still going to have to shoe the horses traders and people like that are still going to have to produce the carriages to take the horses with them and the only people job jobs are in jeopardy are not the kennel staff it 's the terrier men and to be quite honest , ladies and gentlemen , it 's the terrier men who have actually ruined your sport , cos of what they get up to in nineteen ninety three is a disgust and at the end of the day your P R has been absolutely wrong and I hope this afternoon that Conservatives and Liberals can join with us and I 've got to thank a certain Liberal because he 's he 's put his head on the block on several occasions on this when we stood on the platform as individuals , not as politicians , as individuals on this and I think that this afternoon we 've got a way forward , we can say to the hunt , come and talk you change , we 'll give you access . Thank you Chair . Have we a seconder .
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: no)
‘ There 's no concern now . David is making chances every game . They are not going in at the moment but that does n't worry me because he is a smashing lad doing the right things again . ‘ I 'm certain he will play for England again and put that first experience behind him.’ White , 25 , recovered his touch briefly with goals against Everton and Leed .
Idiom: over the counter (used idiomatically: yes)
They included misguided government interference with markets , high income and capital gains taxes , mistaken monetary policy , pressures towards high wages , monopoly , overstocked inventories , uncertainty caused by the reorganization plan for the Supreme ~ Court , rearmament in Europe and fear of war , government encouragement of labor disputes , a savings glut because of population shrinkage , the passing of the frontier , and easy credit before the depression . Although economic theory today is much improved , if we ask people about the cause of the current crisis , we will mostly get the same answers . We would certainly hear some new ones , too : unprecedented real - estate bubbles , a global savings glut , international trade imbalances , exotic financial contracts , sub - prime mortgages , unregulated over - the - counter markets , rating agencies ' errors , compromised real - estate appraisals , and complacency about counterparty risk .
Idiom: easier said than done (used idiomatically: yes)
By anybody 's reckoning , she still had another week in which to go through agonies about it . Determinedly , however , Fabia decided she must not think about it . Though that was easier said than done she would do her best , and try instead to enjoy what she could of the coming seven days , and treat each day as a holiday and as if she had n't a care in the world . To that end , Fabia left her hotel and , an inveterate walker , explored the highways and byways of Mariánské Láznë . Having stopped a couple of times for refreshment , Fabia returned to her hotel around six o'clock , and realised that she had found Mariánské Láznë quite enchanting .
Idiom: one of those days (used idiomatically: yes)
Fine . But you see life is n't like that , not everyday life . O K. This is one of those days . And you set out in the morning and you know this road , you know this road well . You travelled along it yesterday , there was nothing wrong with this road yesterday .
Idiom: rank and file (used idiomatically: yes)
Once this had yielded a conclusion , there was no room for further debate . To permit dissent within the Party would be to reopen the door to bourgeois deviations . Lenin 's approach made the relationship between the Party and the rank and file of the proletariat seem simple . The Party was by definition the vanguard of the proletariat . The social origin of its members , the initial preponderance of intelligentsia over workers , was utterly irrelevant .
Idiom: hand to mouth (used idiomatically: yes)
In other areas there have been cutbacks . erm There are fewer administrative staff to deal with , really , more problems , in a way , because though we have fewer students than we did before , there 's still more work involved and we ca n't , we do n't , we no longer have a planning period . Once upon a time you used to have a five year planning period , and that has now disappeared , so we live hand to mouth , and the Finance Officer manages marvellously in juggling things round , but one can no longer plan as one used to , and therefore it 's rather sad really , because people no longer have the chance to develop things as they would wish to . But how 's it left the University ? erm Are people terribly depressed ? Is , is the place a bad place now because it ca n't