Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: break cover (used idiomatically: no)
And what can we learn by a little careful zebra - watching ? The traditional explanation is that the stripes act as camouflage and help to break up the shape of the animal , concealing its body from the eyes of hungry predators . Despite their vivid appearance when seen in bright sunlight on open grassland , the zebras are said to be well camouflaged in broken cover at dawn and dusk , when predators are active and the light is dim . One experienced game tracker claimed that it was possible to get to within 40 or 50 yards before spotting a zebra under these conditions , and even then it only gave itself away by a small movement such as the swish of its tail or the sudden turn of its head . Under identical circumstances antelopes were visible up to 200 yards away .
Idiom: call the shots (used idiomatically: yes)
Keep working even though you are feeling under par . Respond to personal attack by getting angry or upset . Reluctance to use this strategy can come from a feeling that you do n't have a right to control , that you ca n't call the shots , that you are powerless . It 's different from running away ; it 's a conscious choice to put off dealing with something until conditions are more favourable to yourself and to other people involved . The standing back approach Someone phones you for a price for a project .
Idiom: bite the bullet (used idiomatically: yes)
The excellence of the Exhibition Hangar made the loan of this aircraft possible . This was too good an option to miss and in April 1989 the building was ordered . NAM had bitten the bullet . Fund - raising took on a new meaning and a massive mail - out was undertaken to companies , councils , tourist boards , charitable trusts etc . No stone was left unturned .
Idiom: get to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
An interim Rdb 5.1 release adds Open Data Base Connectivity and costs $ 1,130 to $ 349,800 from August . DEC also has EDA / SQL enhancements for the Accessworks client - server integrated data access server family , and new versions of the RdbAccess product family . ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS GETS TO GRIPS WITH A DIFFERENT CULTURE IN LATIN EUROPE … Industry analysts consulted about the failure of the deal to sell up to 30 % of Electronic Data Systems Corp to British Telecommunications Plc unanimously concurred that the deal was more critical for EDS owner General Motors Corp than for EDS and would have no short - term impact on the world 's largest systems integration company . Certainly , EDS 's flurry of activity in Italy and Spain over the last few months is proof that it had no dire need of BT to capture the interest of new customers and business partners in the southern reaches of Europe .
Idiom: within living memory (used idiomatically: yes)
Mickey Mouse , that great icon of our times , was seen bestriding the continent of Europe — which once thought of itself as coterminous with Christendom — like a colossus . It is surely not being excessively pompous to see this as one sign of a trivialisation of European civilisation , or to accept that there has been a catastrophic spiritual impoverishment of national life when a country such as our own , which once thought of itself as Christian , can for the most part simply ignore today 's commemoration of Christ 's passion and death . The national Church does not entirely escape responsibility for this situation ; within living memory the bishop of one major see let it be known that he would not be available to officiate at services on Good Friday since he had to start the boat race at his old school . Easter Day itself , of course , is the greatest celebration of the Christian year . But for Christians , the celebrations can not begin quite yet ; first they must live through the year 's darkest day .
Idiom: spend a penny (used idiomatically: no)
You know , I 'd like to ask a question , why is it so , why is it so frightening to spoil yourself ? , why is it such a , a wrong thing to spoil yourself , erm we 've been talking about make up we 've been talking about mm beauty products , if you want to spend fifty pence or a pound on something and , and you know from your high street chemist or your going to spend seventy pounds on the same sort of cream , that 's up to you if you , if it makes you feel good , go for it . if you want to spend seven thousand pounds on that 's right , if it makes you feel good inside I think you should go for it .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
His favourite pub , the Club bar , in Oxford Street , Gorbals , was where he liked to spend an evening with friends . There he played the only game he knew , dominoes . One night of winter , with howling winds blowing and heavy rain lashing the streets , he arrived cold and wet at the Club , went straight to the bar as usual , and was given his usual drink by the bar man , ‘ Johnny’ . Nearly all of Dad 's acquaintances were called ‘ Johnny’ , this being much easier than having to remember every man 's christian name . He had just paid for the whisky when the door blew open , and a huge Irishman staggered into the establishment .
Idiom: blaze a trail (used idiomatically: yes)
IN OUR June edition we wrongly stated that Sutton Coldfield RFC were bringing a £ 500,000 civil action against a referee who presided over a game in which the club 's colts captain , Ben Smolden , broke his neck . No action has been initiated or is being contemplated by the club , although Ben 's father , Roger , who is also chairman of SCRFC , has engaged solicitors independently of the rugby club to determine if there was any negligence responsible for his son 's injuries . Mick blazes a trail MICKEY Skinner blazed a trail of glory on the London - Brighton bike race last month . Skinner led a group of 28 players from Kent clubs on the 56 mile ride .
Idiom: mean business (used idiomatically: yes)
If it had n't been for you maybe I 'd be dead by now . ' ' No maybe about it , ' Gentle said . ' Our friend Pie meant business . ' ' He meant something , ' she replied , ' but I 'm not sure it was murder . ' ' He was trying to smother you , Jude . '
Idiom: rock bottom (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . It was also er i it also made the area a target for er money lenders of the worst variety . Erm I mean obviously you 've got people up in the flats who at times , hit absolute desperate rock - bottom situations . Erm you know , no bank 's gon na give them a loan . Maybe they ca n't pay the the ' leccy bill and they 're in rent arrears and you know it 's Christmas and the kids want everything they see on the television .
Idiom: in the can (used idiomatically: yes)
On the one hand , I like to , I enjoy it . On the other , my parents made me feel horrible , guilty . This year at New Year this guy threw all these streamers at me — you know , the stuff in a can — and it ruined my coat . I was so angry with him , I called him a jerk in the street , and worse than that , and I told my mum about it . At first she sympathised a bit , but basically she thinks it 's because I dare to walk around and look people in the eye — I 'm too challenging or flirty or something .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
George had strong hands , slim arms and Lennie was strong and muscular with wide sloping shoulders . George was quite hard on Lennie . He shouted and swore when Lennie carried a dead mouse in his pocket pet and he gave Lennie a very hard time when Lennie said that he like ketchup on his beans . I think that this was very uncalled for and very unkind . George always felt bad after shouting at Lennie .
Idiom: time will tell (used idiomatically: yes)
Harlequins ... 14 Swansea … .. 21 DO NOT believe everything that has been written about the parlous state of Anglo - Welsh matches now that the English clubs are diverted by the league . The confrontations are alive — and most definitely kicking — and are as combative , irritable and downright ugly as ever . Time will tell whether Swansea 's grim win at an echoing Twickenham was an omen that the international in February will be fought out in the Cardiff fashion of last year or whether it was just these 80 minutes which had the mark of the beast upon them . Swansea deserved to win because , hard though they tried to disguise it , they actually were the better side , and in Robert Jones and the accomplished Tony Clement , they had half - backs capable of rising above the long grass slicked by rain and the inevitable slippery ball . But Jones is a snappy player in every sense , and set the tone for an afternoon of petulant silliness with a Gatting - like finger - wagging retort to one of Keith Griffiths 's decisions .
Idiom: in someone's pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
He looked at me with confident contempt . It was easy to be defiant . I put my hands in my pockets and leant back against the wall . This was very much more simple than dealing with the naval officer . The German 's face became distorted with rage and anger , but he did not move .
Idiom: pass the time of day (used idiomatically: yes)
And then erm oh nearly all the mums'd be sitting out . All the houses were so small that er th nearly everybody'd take their chairs out in the evening time in the in the summer . And there they 'd be chatting across to one another or come to each others ' doors and h you know pass time of day having a little chat about one thing and another . They were glad to get out the houses I think . Cos when you think of 'em now they were claustrophobic you know .
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: no)
They 'll ni they 'll nip through the flats . They 'll deposit their rubbish , you know . If they 've had a few beers , they m they may leave something else behind . People do n't want it . Erm and that 's what I mean by access .
Idiom: on the carpet (used idiomatically: yes)
I had them in my hand a moment ago . Oh there they are . Oh look at the marks on this carpet . Atrocious . We 're pulling this carpet up after Christmas .
Idiom: break the ice (used idiomatically: yes)
For further advice on tactics for avoiding hidden agendas or surfacing them , see Games on page 71 . Humour Humour can be an excellent behaviour for easing tensions and breaking the ice between people . However , to achieve these objectives it needs to be : situational humour , ie funny within the context of the situation people are in at the time so that people can relate to it through a common , shared experience
Idiom: jobs for the boys (used idiomatically: yes)
Council worker suspended over ‘ jobs for the boys’ claim By Susan Dean A STRATHCLYDE regional councillor has been suspended from his job as a caretaker with Monklands District Council for his claims that he has proof to back up ‘ jobs for the boys’ allegations . John Murphy , Labour regional member for Coatbridge North and Glenboig , was suspended on full pay yesterday after a meeting with officials of the housing department , including the depute director , James McCarrell . The move , pending a full disciplinary hearing , follows Mr Murphy 's claims to The Scotsman earlier this month that he has evidence to support claims that there have been cases of patronage to ensure that certain jobs in the local authority went to Labour Party members .
Idiom: get to grips with (used idiomatically: yes)
Where there are significant risks , clearly the risk assessment should reflect this , for example in the level of detail and possible recourse to sophisticated techniques . But for those work situations posing little risk , the assessment can be straightforward and simple.’ Mr David Eves , Deputy Director General of the Health and Safety Executive , explained that HSE was well aware of the difficulties faced by industry in getting to grips with these Regulations and all the other new Regulations in a short timescale . He said : ‘ HSE inspectors aim to help the committed employer improve the management of health and safety .
Idiom: under the sun (used idiomatically: yes)
Find a country … Focus … blues and greens and browns under the sun , and here 's a pale oblong which is … Focus … an airport , a concrete hive for silver bees , and there 's a …
Idiom: hit the jackpot (used idiomatically: yes)
For the rest and bringing the total score to beyond 40 , there are other watercolours in a price range , depending on size , from £ 45 to £ 95 . It is , however , the draughtsmanship of the black and white drawings especially of the entrance gateway and the view of Sir William Turner 's Hospital on the cover of the Langbaurgh Calendar that is most arresting . Jimmy Holmes Sunday Market in Kashgar Oriental Museum , Elvet Hill , Durham ( until the end of April ) JIMMY Holmes , who put us very considerably in his debt with a superlative display of photographs of Japan at the Middlesbrough Art Gallery last September , again hits the jackpot with a further photo - essay that deals with Kashgar on the famous Samarkand silk road and its Sunday market . Though felt rugs are more likely to be traded these days than silk , a number of other commodities are on offer from wicker baskets and wooden cabinets to horses and , in the food line , even doughnuts and bagels . To help us get our bearings there are three pages of typewritten text and a couple of maps which show that Kashgar is surrounded by China , Tibet , India , Pakistan , Afghanistan and Russia .
Idiom: muddy the waters (used idiomatically: yes)
European public expenditure policy , of the kind proposed in successive Community documents , could potentially affect spending on anything from health to education , social services or defence . It is in this sense that EMU would tear the heart out of national parliaments . It is distressing to see the pro - integrationists trying to muddy the waters . Sir Leon Brittan has tried to argue that the concept of sovereignty is fundamentally archaic and cranky , fit only for medieval speculation . It is surprising , therefore , that the concept should be alive and well in Germany , especially where economic and monetary matters are concerned .
Idiom: join the club (used idiomatically: no)
Rugby League Round-Up : Eagles making a soar point By PHIL SHAW THE FORTUNES of two clubs who joined the League together during the summer of 1984 could hardly be more contrasting . Sheffield Eagles ' fortunes are soaring in the top flight ; the 28-16 win at Wakefield was their third in four matches . They came from 14-2 down at the break , and Trinity 's failure was compounded by the sending off of Mark Conway .
Idiom: on the level (used idiomatically: yes)
The SPD politician called the PDS , successor of the former East ~ German state party SED , a democratic party with which he could imagine cooperation on a municipal level .
Idiom: on the stump (used idiomatically: yes)
More recently he was embroiled in a row with Darlington 's Catholic community over plans to extend two schools . The two sides eventually reached agreement but not before at least one priest had threatened to make it an election issue . Out on the stump he is efficient and businesslike : shouting out orders and thanks to his lieutenants very much in charge of the operation . He likes to ask voters if they are ‘ on board’ and is quick to offer personal help where it seems appropriate . He is married to Wendy and the couple have two young children , Peter and Timothy .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: no)
I would add open futurity , the future of the open road . After the dying Stepan Verkhovensky has taken the sacrament he says ‘ however , tomorrow — Tomorrow we shall all set off . ’ Certainly we are all on the move , if only mentally , and perhaps the open road of Stepan 's ‘ gentle and unresentful heart ’ will see him to Spasov before nous les autres .
Idiom: close to home (used idiomatically: no)
John Menzies 's dogs COPING WITH PET LOSS Close to home CAREERS Guide Dogs
Idiom: speak volumes (used idiomatically: yes)
Some of the overdriven sounds lean towards the honky , but even then , it 's useful honky . Clean sounds are rich and very varied . Careful manipulation of the mid - boost even provided some pretty creditable electro - acoustic sounds , which speaks volumes for the versatility of the instrument and its circuitry . Some of the sounds are familiar , yet not instantly Fender or Gibson - like in origin . In fact , the whole instrument stands up for itself without relying on those industry stalwarts for support in any way , which makes a very refreshing change .
Idiom: rub shoulders (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Fergie will get the Arctic freeze - out.’ * Peter Thompson is co - author with Chris Hutchins of Sarah 's Story , to be published by Smith Gryphon in October . SOCIETY GIRLS : Lady Liza Campbell ( top ) , Flora Fraser and Natasha Grenfell THE DUCHESS : Johnny rubs shoulders with Fergie in France GETTING AWAY WITH IT … APRIL 1992 IT 'S four months ago and Johnny , working hard keep up his ‘ financial adviser’ image , stays out of touching distance as he and Fergie walk out in public during their visit to Phuket in Thailand
Idiom: make a move (used idiomatically: no)
Gunners go for Des David Harrison ARSENAL are ready to make a £ 1.5 million move to bring Des Walker home from his brief exile in Italy . But the Gunners will have to compete with his former club Nottingham Forest and big - spending Blackburn Rovers . There is a rapidly - growing belief in Italy that Sampdoria are ready to part company with England defender Walker because he has not lived up to expectations since joining them last summer .
Idiom: on the hoof (used idiomatically: yes)
We knew they would finish up in rabbit pie . In the very centre of the village , close to the church , was the blacksmith 's forge . Daily we would hear the bang of the hammer on the anvil , and would run across the road to watch from the door , as the hot shoe was pressed on a patient cart - horse 's hoof , with the familiar sizzling noise and smell of burning . The furnace , blown by bellows , was a marvellous sight , fiery red and roaring , and the smithy was a hot , exciting place like no other . Sometimes we walked to the nearest cove .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
They are not cheap , but they have features that the better player wants and the average player needs . The 845s Metal Woods complete the set and again I found that their perimeter - weighting seemed to improve my accuracy . Tommy Armour may not be a manufacturer that immediately comes to mind , but its clubs are well worth considering for players of all levels . For further information , contact Tommy Armour Golf ( Scotland ) Ltd or your nearest stockist . Wilson has catered for lady golfers for the past 60 years , but the current range for ladies is its biggest yet .
Idiom: lend an ear (used idiomatically: yes)
This speech is magnificently done as Antony has to obey certain rules which he does , but still convinces them that the conspiracy was wrong . Shakespeare emphasizes how strongly the plebeians are in favour of Brutus when Antony begins to speak . Friends , Romans , countrymen , lend me your ears ; I come to bury Caesar , not to praise him Antony , noting the mood of the crowd starts his speech by declaring that he has no intention of praising Caesar .
Idiom: to the letter (used idiomatically: yes)
' Though of course , ' the Society went on , ' this by itself is far from sufficient to satisfy requirements . ' It was made clear , furthermore , that the Society did not regard the houses of businessmen or the ' newly rich ' as ' distinguished ' , and in my opinion this piece of out - dated thinking crucially undermined any serious authority the Society may have achieved to arbitrate on standards in our profession . In response to further letters in A Quarterly , the Society justified its stance by saying that while it accepted some correspondents ' views that certain butlers of excellent quality were to be found in the houses of businessmen , ' the assumption had to be that the houses of true ladies and gentlemen would not refrain long from acquiring the services of any such persons ' . One had to be guided by the judgement of ' the true ladies and gentlemen ' , argued the Society , or else ' we may as well adopt the proprieties of Bolshevik Russia ' . This provoked further controversy , and the pressure of letters continued to build up urging the Society to declare more fully its membership criteria .
Idiom: rough edges (used idiomatically: no)
Of course , we all realized that everything might have changed . Certainly Terry , Brian and I knew that close friends had been campaigning for us and that that experience could have changed them , just as we 'd been changed by what we had gone through . But it was hard for us to see exactly how we had altered , beyond having some rough edges polished off and getting a better focus on some of our ideas and ambitions . So I tended to stick with how things had been ; it was more comforting to think I 'd be able to pick up where I 'd left off . Frank 's departure was a relief in many ways : for the first time in two years someone from our group had gone home ; Frank would now be free from fear while Brian and I could carry on together .
Idiom: high and dry (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Then the thing with Martina did n't help . It shook me up the way the split was done for the 1990 US Open . It was a couple of weeks before and I was left high and dry without a partner . That kind of hurt because we 'd had a relationship for nine years . But it probably helped our friendship , because we 've been through a lot since then .
Idiom: on board (used idiomatically: yes)
As we have seen , the degree to which this entailed the active participation of staff across the curriculum depended upon the quality of liaison and feedback to the committee itself . However , the evaluators found no reason to doubt that a degree of participation compatible with the philosophy of the project had in fact taken place . Moreover , notwithstanding the different degrees to which individual teachers appeared to have taken on board the implications for progressive pedagogies , we believe that a substantial improvement in teachers ' awareness of the potential of the library as a central resource , and of the development of information - handling skills entailed therein , was a real consequence of the project in this school . Neither the fact that the school has a record of managing and presenting a favourable public image , nor the apparent shortfall between the observed reality and the claims of senior staff , should detract too much from this conclusion . School A
Idiom: dig deep (used idiomatically: yes)
THREE directors of a recession - hit company slashed £ 30,000 off their own wages — to give their loyal staff a pay increase . Bosses Richard Bryan , Colin Stone and Brian Nathan could n't afford to give their 141 workers a rise after their tool hire firm made a £ 291,000 pre - tax loss . So the generous trio decided to dig deep into their own pockets to give the staff a four per cent boost . Each boss took a £ 10,000 cut bringing their wages down to £ 58,000 . ‘ We simply wanted to give them a pay rise for trying their best,’ said company chairman Brian .
Idiom: when the chips are down (used idiomatically: no)
Sandeep Joshi , who is playing league cricket for Hayes this summer , comprehensively beat England 's key middle - order batsman several times . ' Robin improved with spin in India and I think he will be able to get runs against Warne this summer , ' said Fletcher . ' He 'll get stuck in against him and we all know if the chips are down when the seamers are on , Robin is the one . He 's got tremendous guts . ' We are not underestimating Warne but the pitch at Old Trafford did respond to spin .
Idiom: get the boot (used idiomatically: yes)
No but , I mean Well they do , they love it ! I mean they they 've got these soft walking boots , I do n't know whether you 've seen them ? Well Cathy 's mum and dad They 're light
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
They 're just so sarcastic . Sarcasm must be part of the course at Hendon ' ) . Only Arnold Brown ran slightly against the grain . ‘ I do n't think it 's very intelligent to swear,’ said Brown , squinting in an atmosphere thicker with smoke than obscenity . ‘ There 's a time and a place for it .