Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: perish the thought (used idiomatically: yes)
He of the , ‘ I propose , after much thought , to take you over as my girlfriend’ ! So , if she was supposed to be his girlfriend , what was she doing staying home nights ? Not that she wanted him to contact her — perish the thought ! In any case , she was too busy attacking the contents of her briefcase when she got home to have gone out with him , even if he had asked her — which he had n't . Knowing him , though , he would n't ask , would he ?
Idiom: as good as new (used idiomatically: yes)
The problem in relation to whether the car was new arose because , before the car was delivered to the dealer , it had suffered some damage in a collision in a compound . The damage had been repaired before delivery to the dealer — ; at a cost of £ 50 . Fords won their appeal , the court holding that a new car which is damaged but then repaired so as to be ‘ as good as new’ can still be regarded as new . It is clear from that case that much depends upon ( a ) the type of damage and ( b ) the quality of the repairs . Thus a car which is so seriously damaged that its chassis is distorted could no longer be accurately described as new , even after being repaired , whereas if only the engine were damaged the car could be restored to newness by a new engine being installed .
Idiom: stand someone in good stead (used idiomatically: yes)
Unless they say he 's on the bottle . It 's hard , then , not to feel sympathy for Kevin Keegan and Peter Shilton , both of whom have recently abandoned pleasant existences ( as wealthy horse - breeder and plucky net - minder respectively ) to don shiny suits and shiny smiles , and stand beside worried - looking club chairmen at press conferences to promise greatness ahead for their new teams . Neither has previously managed anything very much before , although I 'm sure their vital experience as successful footballers in the Seventies ( opening boutiques ) will stand them in good stead . But , with the weight of expectations likely to get even heavier over the next few months , I ; m sure both of them are , not to put too fine a point on it , bricking themselves . So what makes a successful manager ?
Idiom: look the other way (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ What 's he in there for , then?’ I turned and looked at him . He looked the other way , staring at TV aerials as if he was doing a project on them . Then he said , ‘ They wo n't let him out.’ ‘ Why not ?
Idiom: on the fly (used idiomatically: yes)
The Inria port will be used in the development work as will existing Integrity boxes . Tandem 's move reinforces current thinking which sees microkernel system software as very much an up and coming trend across the industry . Tandem expects the technology to eliminate any remaining unplanned downtime users experience as well as any planned downtime needed for housekeeping chores like changing operating systems on the fly , a key facility in any mission - critical application from E - mail to fare collections . Tandem may not be the first commercial box - shifter out with a Chorus - based system , though it may yet find itself in a race to be first to deliver in volume . For the last two or three years , Chorus has been involved with Unisys Corp in a technology exchange that has so far failed to produce any significant deliveries .
Idiom: see eye to eye (used idiomatically: yes)
There there may well be a way round the problem by amending the explanatory mem memorandum . I I think Selby District Selby District 's attitude is is that we 're we 're perfectly happy . We we think we see eye to eye with the county council on this er provided it is clearly in the the acceptable needs of the district will be met by taking areas of countryside . Erm but I would , as I say , I would like to hear from the county on . Yes Chairman .
Idiom: take someone's word for it (used idiomatically: yes)
' Where we 're concerned , our religious involvement only goes as far as using images of , say , the Virgin Mary on our sleeves , but it 's not us being disrespectful . As a matter of fact we happen to find certain religious images very beautiful . ' Take his word for it people : Ashton 's winged fellowship are homing in on you . WELCOME TO THE TERROR TOWN Once reviled in these very pages , FIVE THIRTY bounce back from schooldaze obscurity to swipe two Singles Of The Week .
Idiom: to the bone (used idiomatically: yes)
Since 84 % of apparently localised cancers of the prostate progress if left untreated some centres advocate radical prostatectomy for early cancer . If long term follow up shows improved survival in patients treated by radical surgery then early detection of the tumour by screening would be desirable , and the most useful method of detection is rectal examination by a trained urologist . Since most of the prostatic cancers detected in this study had not metastasised to bone and were well or moderately well differentiated these patients might have suffered if detection had been delayed . A long wait for a patient with bladder outflow obstruction for a specialist opinion is both undesirable and unacceptable . The high prevalence of associated disease in these patients should encourage and justify efforts to reduce waiting times for appointments at outpatient clinics .
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
Mr President , Commissioner , I should first like to congratulate Mr Koch on his reports which , though technical , are nonetheless of very great significance for safety . I should like to make just a few comments . Firstly , I should like to ask the Commissioner - and I am convinced that my request will fall on fertile ground - to ensure that more attention is paid to the issue of safety , be it on the roads , on the waterways or at sea . Considering that it is only today that we are dealing with a Commission proposal first made on 19 March 1998 , even though Parliament responded relatively quickly , this time lag is a little too long . This is not just the fault of the Commission , but I believe that we need to take action more quickly so as to achieve harmonisation in this area as well .
Idiom: catch fire (used idiomatically: no)
The soldier from the Dishforth - based Army Air Corps had stopped at the station to ask directions but on the way out of the car park he crashed his four ton truck into a wall knocking it down . Beam fire : A wooden beam in a chimney caught fire at a house in Darlington Road , Northallerton . Firemen said the joist had been installed too close to the flue . Motorist hurt :
Idiom: do the right thing (used idiomatically: yes)
that 's true but when ya , when you stand at the front door and er there 's a blower breeze and it 's cold , if you put your hand round the door like that , you can feel a draught , you can feel it colder than the you know and the letter box , the draught but if you take that and put a curtain up , it 'll keep the cold out , you 've stopped the draught so you 're gon na win The draught from that 's , yeah so you 're not sure whether you 're doing the right thing or not Yeah so you know so it 's true mm , mm
Idiom: see the light (used idiomatically: yes)
Constantine , who presided unchallenged over the Roman Empire from A.D. 312 until his death in 337 , is rightly regarded as a major pivot in the history and development of Christianity . But the position from which he is today assessed rests on precarious , even quaint , over - simplifications . According to popular tradition , Constantine had always been tolerant , if not sympathetic , towards Christianity — an intrinsically ‘ good man’ , even before he ‘ saw the light’ definitively . In fact , Constantine 's attitude towards Christianity seems to have been primarily a matter of expediency , for Christians by then were numerous in the Empire and he needed all the support he could muster against Maxentius , his rival for the imperial throne . In A.D. 312 , Maxentius was killed and his army routed at the Battle of Milvian Bridge , leaving Constantine 's claim to the throne unchallenged .
Idiom: get a grip (used idiomatically: yes)
So why should we start seeing the highly dangerous picture of front rows collapsing the scrummage . ? I should point out that not all scrummages are deliberately collapsed by front row players . Sometimes it is due to muddy ground where it is difficult for players to get a good grip with their studs , or by a player slipping in the front row . But in the main I believe it is due to a change of attitude by props in particular . When I started refereeing in the 1960s the props ' attitude was : ' I may go backwards in a scrummage , but I will never go down ' .
Idiom: cook the books (used idiomatically: yes)
mm people have been treated quicker , so that per cent no its not how can they say no its not ? , they would n't lie because if they lie they 'd get really done would n't they ? they 're saying that their fixing figures by not putting people on the waiting list so the waiting lists are shorter , because they 're putting , not , they 're saying that to people we ca n't treat you for about two years so I 'm not going to put you on the list at the moment , so they 're , cooking the books , that 's what they reckon well , I mean there 's some things every body
Idiom: behind bars (used idiomatically: yes)
Dawn was dishing out the details with the beer . ' ' Dawn ? ' ' She 's behind the bar there . Steve , who works at the garage , his girl . Mrs Files 's granddaughter . '
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
A real wanderer , and he looked for a sign of her inheritance in himself . Could n't find any , unless bad luck with love and marriage was one . Come to think of it , it probably was . ' I 'd like to talk to you . ' ' Yes , certainly , Mr Court .
Idiom: on the square (used idiomatically: yes)
Not only the shining new camouflage clothes , but various shining new containers of tackle . A waterproof khaki bag to hang from one shoulder , a long black leather rod - case to hang from the other , and an assortment of neatly dangling nets , stools and bait - boxes . As he laid out his instruments on squares of cloth like a surgeon , he said , ' You know , Pop , fishing 's a very good relaxant . Relaxation is important to anyone in an executive position . ' They were sitting on the bank opposite Steen 's house , Miles on a new folding chair of shining chromium tubes , Charles on a relegated wooden stool .
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I am not a particularly successful businessman,’ Gould says , taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes . ‘ I take on too many projects that do n't make any money . What I 'm trying to do is rub against the grain of Thatcherism , not with it.’ Granted , he does have five- bedroom house in Bayswater ; he is married to one of the most powerful women in publishing ; but his children go to state schools , a good deal of the time he wears clothes from Marks & Spencer and he does not drive a car . Some of his projects , such as Nicaragua , are done for hardly any money and on some of them , he loses a great deal of money .
Idiom: walk of life (used idiomatically: yes)
As for the fans , I do n't know why I love them but I do — and always will . ‘ It upsets me that I still have this ‘ enfant terrible’ reputation . In any walk of life you make mistakes and learn from them.’ Sources at the Yorkshire club , however , provided an incredible behind - the - scenes insight into Cantona 's deteriorating relationship with Leeds . It seems Cantona believed he would be a permanent fixture in the side this season after his supporting role helped inspire Leeds to the Championship during the last campaign .
Idiom: in the dock (used idiomatically: yes)
You take this erm , that 's like that 's like er corn flakes . I 've known when they used to deal with the flake , what they call the Flake Mill , that 's er down at erm Eagle Mill down near the lock gates when they were making this here which were like corn flakes for the , for the animals and and they were dropped like this , be nice and warm and You were allowed in the dock with children ? Yeah , well that , that was all open you see that was all open It still is today is n't it ?
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Sport I agree , can be played , but I do n't call fox hunting or cub hunting a sport . It is an inhuman , heartless massacre a murder , an unasked for and undeserved murder , a murder of innocent , lively , living , intelligent foxes . We have a fox that lives near us and I have spent many a night and a morning watching it frolicking and jumping about and it breaks my heart to think that many of its kind are suffering death at its worst . Imagine if you were a vixen scared and frightened , seeing her cubs destroyed . Many suffer this way yet some people do n't care .
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
I think she saved more money that week on food . We just did n't fancy anything she 'd touched you know . Oh it was a dreadful thing when you come to think of it now , the poor women could n't help it she was must have been in desperate straits to do a thing like that . And she was such a lovely lady too you would never would have believed it . She was a really nice lady she was .
Idiom: song and dance (used idiomatically: yes)
It 's amazing , it 's wonderful , and it deserves to be seen by everyone.’ ( Sunday Times , Johannesburg ) ‘ Sikulu , The Warrior’is a really perfect piece of music theatre , half Cotton Club , half Cape Town , and the mixture of song and dance radiates from the stage like pure energy … it is astonishing how African folk and modern harmonies blend so beautifully.’ ( Abendblatt , Hamburg ) ‘ You must not miss it.’
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
The microphone not only captured 850 voices in perfect balance , something impossible with acoustic techniques , but it also caught the bass strings of the grand piano accurately , and the acoustic environment of the Opera House around the performance . The Western Electric system was thoroughly thought out , with a performance exceeding acoustic cutters by two - and - a - half octaves and almost unlimited amplification . The effects upon the actual records overshadowed some equally great revolutions behind the scenes , which tend to be forgotten . First among these was that the engineers could listen to what they were doing upon a loudspeaker in a nearby room . Thus it was possible for engineers to place their microphone to give a ratio of direct and reflected sound from the walls of the studio in order to achieve a pleasing artistic reproduction .
Idiom: eyeball to eyeball (used idiomatically: yes)
My next problem was how to get back to the hotel before my stomach gave a repeat performance . Public transport was definitely out . In Leningrad 's crowded streets a tram or bus ride is a virtual eyeball - to - eyeball body massage with the natives , while on the Metro , with the escalators descending at breakneck speed , there is little chance of a retreat and no toilets . Bleary - eyed , I staggered back to Nevski Prospect , and there I spotted a dejected - looking husband sitting in his car outside a supermarket , obviously waiting for his wife to emerge with the shopping . It 's the same the whole world over .
Idiom: run amok (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ It takes the pressure off but we realise it 's going to get harder . Now we have to make sure after a win like this that we do n't slip up at Wimbledon next week.’ Norwich 's victory was a triumph for the tactical surprise sprung by manager Walker , who deployed a sweeper to curb the threat of Villa dangermen Dean Saunders and Dalian Atkinson , who have been running amok in the last two months . His players carried out the plan to the letter and wrapped up the three points as a perfect birthday gift . ‘ It was certainly better than a new pair of socks or underpants’ joked Butterworth .
Idiom: to all intents and purposes (used idiomatically: yes)
She rejected him at birth and it was left to Maria Fountain from the Cotswold Wildlife Park to take on the role of Mother . Female speaker To all intents and purposes , I am its mother . Hickery Holler , so named because he hiccups a lot and hollers when he wants feeding , was born to first time mother , Menga in captivity at the park . It 's the 10th they 've raised , but the first to give these problems .
Idiom: true to form (used idiomatically: yes)
Mrs Hancock turned up in a Rolls - Royce after announcing she had organised a requiem mass at Perth 's St Mary 's Cathedral on Friday . It was within 30 minutes of a wake ordered by Mrs Rinehart in her own mansion in old - money Dalkeith . True to form , Mrs Hancock agreed to a live hook - up with Australia 's Ray Martin Midday Show on television within minutes of the requiem . Even in death , Lang Hancock continued to stir the desert winds of controversy . International : Thirty killed in township war
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
The World Bank reckons that a Trinidad deal would still be unsustainable for weak economies like those of Somalia , Mozambique and Sudan . This is why organisations like Oxfam argue that virtually all non - concessional debt should be written off by creditors , not just a smaller share of debt taken on before a certain date . Ishrat Husain , the World Bank 's chief economist for Africa , argues that the debt overhang is now a serious turn - off to private investors . He would prefer to see Africa 's debt obligation reduced to no more than the $ 10 billion it is managing to pay each year . This would need the co - operation of non - Paris - club creditors , like Russia , to whom large sums are owed by former Soviet protégés , such as Ethiopia and Mozambique .
Idiom: all bets are off (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I 'm phoning from Lanagan 's . ’ CHRIS TARRANT ( left ) holding court … and caught holding . ALL BETS ARE OFF ON SCREEN they were magic . But in real life Rovers Return couple Roy Barraclough and Julie Goodyear — who played Alec and Bet Gilroy — did n't get on .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: yes)
But , as you will realise , the act of digging down towards the rabbit creates a lot of disturbance and vibration . A rabbit which up to that time may have been perfectly content to sit it out suddenly has more grounds for fear . If it then moves away it allows those behind to follow suit . This can have the effect of moving the blockage further down the burrow , or it may result in one or more rabbits deciding to make a bolt for it . There is also the unwelcome possibility that as they become mobile they move into sections of the system which you were entitled to think you had already cleared .
Idiom: separate the sheep from the goats (used idiomatically: yes)
While C2 Certificate holders would normally proceed directly into employment , there should , however , be opportunities for some students to acquire credits allowing them eventually to obtain a C1 Certificate . In summary , the Gann pattern of courses represents a rationalization of existing national and regional schemes , under the aegis of the proposed national body . The Gann Report received qualified approval from the colleges , though in many quarters regret was expressed that it had not taken the opportunity to recommend a single validating body for all courses in art and design , and not just non - advanced ones , and that its proposal for two different types of courses was ‘ elitist’ and a vain attempt to separate the sheep from the goats . It was widely felt in the colleges that the Gann C1 and C2 groupings were an over - simplification of the existing situation , as the potential C1 students who possessed suitable qualifications and had clear objectives were in a minority . Most students start with vague objectives or change direction quite fundamentally during their first year so that a wider range of courses is required including some broadly - based and some of a more specialized nature .
Idiom: one and the same (used idiomatically: yes)
Lord Esher M.R. said , at pp . 138–139 : ‘ … I have come to the conclusion that the law of libel is one and the same as to all plaintiffs ; and that , in every action of libel , whether the statement complained of is , or is not , a libel , depends on the same question — viz . , whether the jury are of opinion that what has been published with regard to the plaintiff would tend in the minds of people of ordinary sense to bring the plaintiff into contempt , hatred , or ridicule , or to injure his character . The question is really the same by whomsoever the action is brought — whether by a person , a firm , or a company . But though the law is the same , the application of it is , no doubt , different with regard to different kinds of plaintiffs .
Idiom: close to home (used idiomatically: yes)
Random Century Tellastory have some good things for children , particularly acceptable when there may be long car journeys in prospect , and perhaps some rainy days at home or away . Shirley Hughes 's The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook ( TS403 — one cassette ; 33 minutes ) read by Thora Hird is a lovely listen for the very young and more than tolerable for their elders . A lot of Alfie 's adventures are shared by his little sister Annie Rose , but it is Dad who takes him camping , very close to home . Random Century have produced a beautiful ‘ gift pack’ of the book ( hardback ) , lavishly and handsomely illustrated by the author , together with this cassette , making a highly desirable present for any child over the age of three . But the cassette will please perfectly well on its own .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
Oxford and Swindon are both at home tomorrow … both away on Sunday … Racing on sunday are the grasstrackers … its the South Midlands Championship at Aylesbury … A boat called Dodo 's Delight sailed out of Falmouth harbour this week … on board a crew of old boys from Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire … they're off to make history as the first school group to sail around the world … they'll be gone for twenty months … so we 're waving them goodbye in our Friday Feature BOB SHEPTON IAN SAVAGE
Idiom: get the better of (used idiomatically: yes)
She tried to use aikido moves against him , but he blocked every one with the expertise of a master . They scrabbled furiously about on the floor . Several times , Bernice thought she was getting the better of him , only to realise that he was toying with her expectations and reactions . He pushed her down beneath him finally , holding her down with a hand around her throat . Every time she tried to move he squeezed his grip and she felt herself begin to black out .
Idiom: ten a penny (used idiomatically: yes)
That legendary scrum - half , whom no less a pundit than Vivian Jenkins once included in his World XV , built his tally in the days when there was not only no World Cup and no Scotland overseas tours but no French match . You can make your own judgment as to what he , and others like him , might have totalled today . THOSE once jealously guarded holy vestments , international rugby jerseys , are now sold —figuratively but , my word , certainly not in fact — ten a penny . They can be big business and it is is more for their commercial and promotional appeal than their scenic , that the SRU yesterday launched , in conjunction with Umbro International , Scotland 's World Cup sevens jersey . The national garment is the SRU tartan in pin - stripe .
Idiom: high and low (used idiomatically: yes)
Immediately under the throne is an enclosure , surrounded by silver rails , in which are assembled the whole body of Omrahs , the Rajahs and the Ambassadors , all standing with their eyes bent downwards , and their hands crossed . At a greater distance from the throne are the inferior nobles , also standing in the same posture of profound reverence . The remainder of the entire courtyard is filled with persons of all ranks , high and low , rich and poor Whenever a word escapes the lips of the King … however trifling its import , it is immediately caught by the surrounding throng ; and the Chief Omrahs , extending their arms towards heaven , as if to receive benediction , exclaim Wonderful ! Wonderful !