Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: over the hill (used idiomatically: yes)
A rifleman armed with the deadly Hochland Long Rifle can pick off individual enemy amongst the opposing army . Because the War Wagon tower is so high the rifleman can see over the heads of intervening troops and low terrain features such as low walls and hedges . He can not see over tall buildings , over hills , or through woods , however . Because the rifleman can see over enemy ranks he is allowed to pick out any individual he can see , including enemy character models who would not otherwise be eligible as targets . The weapon has a strength of 4 , a range of 40″ and an armour save modifier of -2 instead of the usual -1 because of the power of gunpowder weapons .
Idiom: steer clear of (used idiomatically: yes)
The Profitboss goes to business school . But he uses the schools with caution . He 'll steer clear of the lengthy and costly three - month programmes , preferring the therapy of a short three - day course where his people can receive some stimulus on how to improve their business performance . TODAY 'S STEP Think about the business school professors you know .
Idiom: under the table (used idiomatically: yes)
Really , George was a tasteless oaf at times . They were here to divert the Old Man from thoughts of death , not to rub his nose in them . Forty years ago he 'd have kicked his cousin under the table . ‘ What you need is a decent pack of hounds,’ said Cumbermound undeterred . Julia cleared the fish plates and McGee changed from Chablis to Margaux .
Idiom: sour grapes (used idiomatically: yes)
He stays — he says — mainly for the access to the resource base , and he no doubt receives a generous salary and has future payments and bonuses guaranteed . Korn / Ferry , whose world fee income achieved a fivefold increase between 1977 and 1986 , and is confidently expected to pass the $ 100 m . mark by the 1990s , is sometimes criticised in the USA for being dominated by the central management , for its ‘ big factory’ image where the seniors do the selling and the juniors do the work , and it has also suffered much at the pen of headhunting newshound Jim Kennedy , who produces Executive Recruiter News . Yet with its impressive lead in fee income over other firms worldwide , such criticism must inevitably contain an element of sour grapes . Its growth can only continue with the now almost entirely entrenched position that headhunting has achieved in American corporate life . As Lester Korn — never at a loss for a quote — told Fortune , ‘ Business has become too complicated , and the stakes have become too high , for a board chairman who needs executive talent to rely on his friends or his friends’ recommendations .
Idiom: call it a day (used idiomatically: yes)
One worry had faded , but she still wished she had never agreed to this charade . Still , Miguel would be with her . A quick handshake , and a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of his voice , and she could call it a day and go home gracefully . Miguel 's jeep was outside the villa when Shelley happened to look out . She ran out in the darkness .
Idiom: have it both ways (used idiomatically: yes)
The county council has not got the power to ban fox hunting in total it can only ban it on the land which it owns or controls and that 's what that motion seeks to do today . On the one hand we have the hunting fraternity saying that because they rarely catch and kill foxes , some say a two to three percent efficiency rate , er that it 's not cruel yet on the other hand , they say that it 's the most efficient and humane way to control the fox population . They ca n't have it both ways . I urge members , Chairman , not to hide behind this shabby amendment but to vote according to their consciences and their beliefs and to vote according to the views of eighty percent of the population that we represent and I urge other members to be as brief . Thank you Chairman .
Idiom: on a roll (used idiomatically: yes)
Funnily enough , I felt better after a couple of pints at a pub in Maida Vale ; you know , the trendy one among Guardian readers which has the really stupid long name and brews its own beer in the cellar . Not that the hair of the dog remedy actually works , it just makes you forget how bad you feel for a while . I lunched on a cheese roll and a packet of crisps while Bunny — no day is wasted — chatted up the sulking wife or girlfriend of one of the lunch - time Real Ale bores who was drinking his way round the hand - pumps with a group of mates . At one point I saw Bunny write something , probably her ' phone number , on a drip mat and slip it into the back pocket of his jeans . Like a flash , I thought to check my pockets .
Idiom: out of the question (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ That 's a real paper,’ said Zeinab enthusiastically . ‘ I wish I could work for it.’ ‘ Well,’ said Hargazy , laughing , ‘ I 'm afraid that 's out of the question . A woman , after all —’ ‘ Women do write,’ said Zeinab .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: no)
Castlerock , last year 's All - Ireland finalists go to Killymoon for a first round tussle with Donegal , and other matches are : Shandon v Massereene at Malone ; Clandeboye v Fortwilliam at Knock ; Portstewart v Moyola at Carrickfergus and Holywood v Ballybofey at Dungannon . Cork girl Eavan Higgins will lead Ireland 's ladies into battle in the European team championship in Holland less than two months from now . This is Eavan 's reward for a cool and competent victory in the national championship at Royal Belfast , where she beat 20-year - old Aideen Rogers in the final ( one hole ) . Sadly , there is no place for an Ulster golfer in this European line - up , which is : Higgins , Rogers , Eileen Rose Power , Ada O'Sullivan , Denise McCarthy and Tracy Eakin . School reports changes ' not a must '
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
Their progress down to the Angharad was slow . There was a fair wind spattering them with rain as they made their descent to the beach . As they reached the little anchorage she looked at the sea with resignation . It would be a rough crossing . Once the luggage was stowed away on board Penry lifted her on the deck of the Angharad and cast off .
Idiom: take the piss (used idiomatically: yes)
And if that sounds a bit po - faced , then you 're missing the point . We 're talking about the multi - faceted Bleach here The band who , on their current tour , want to collect good food recipes to make up a nosh fanzine . ‘ The best section of the video is where we 're all dancing around , taking the piss out of ourselves . It depresses me that people do n't see our sense of humour,’ says Steve , Bruce Forsyth style . ‘ We 're entertainers .
Idiom: play with fire (used idiomatically: no)
Apart from damage caused by trampling and erosion , more widespread and long - lasting degradation can occur as a result of recreation activities . Accidentally created fires can have devastating affects on a landscape . In the Fynbos heathlands of South Africa , for example , c . 13 per cent of fires are caused by camp - fires or smokers , while in southern France more than half the fires are a result of recreationists , notably accidents from discarded cigarettes and children playing with fire ( from data quoted in Goudie 1986 ) . Fire , especially when high temperatures are obtained , will destroy the aboveground woody biomass and litter and may impair the reproductive potential of plants by reducing the seed bank in the soil . Such accidentally created fires are usually most devastating after a long dry period when the organic content of the litter and soil is experiencing moisture deficiency and the presence of dry kindling provides a good fuel supply .
Idiom: break even (used idiomatically: yes)
Kvaerner Govan is now a small and efficient satellite of its parent across the North Sea , concentrating on specialist chemical , refrigerated and gas tankers , which do not generate so much competition from Korean and Japanese yards . However , the yard will not make a profit until 1994 when government subsidies are due to end . It should break even this year . ‘ We are here because we believe in long - term ship - building . We believe it will be a lucrative market from the mid-1990s onwards,’ says Mr Draegebo .
Idiom: in black and white (used idiomatically: yes)
The enormity of it rocked her . For long minutes she stood there , her thoughts not so much running circles as buffeting chaotically . It made no sense — none — yet here in black and white was proof that nothing was the way it had seemed . For the first time in years Harriet was overwhelmed by a wave of homesickness , and not now for New York , but for the haven of her London flat , the bolt - hole she had made her very own . She folded the newspaper roughly , thrust it into her bag and walked zombie - like into the Metro .
Idiom: make tracks (used idiomatically: yes)
Only a few places , such as the Bay of Naples and Capri , already established thanks to the patronage of the Russian Empress , were regarded as tolerable in the hot season . The modesty of local prices in the 1870s indicates an early stage of tourism . Rich Americans , of course , whether healthy or ill — or more precisely their wives and daughters — made tracks for the centres of European culture , though by the end of our period the millionaires were already beginning to establish their pattern of summer residence in custom - built Xanadus along the stern coasts of New England . The rich in hot countries made for the mountains . We must , however , begin to distinguish between two kinds of holiday : the longer ( summer or winter ) residence and the tour which became increasingly practical and rapid .
Idiom: take someone to task (used idiomatically: yes)
A finance director challenged about the emergence of unexpected cash flow problems may be able to point out that they are due to invoicing delays caused by the breakdown of a new computer system , purchased and installed without sufficient thought and against his advice . Difficulties may arise if your company has recently undergone a change in top management , perhaps following a take - over of the business . If , after a previously unblemished career , you are taken to task , it may be that your superiors ' requirements are unrealistic or that you have not yet been given sufficient time to adjust to the style of the new regime . Another possibility is that you may be treated inconsistently . It may be extremely hard for your employer to justify a poor grading at assessment time when earlier in the year you received a letter from the chairman specifically thanking and praising you for your efforts .
Idiom: to the tune of (used idiomatically: yes)
At one time there were 400 tin mines in Cornwall alone . In 1972 , the government tried to promote new mining ventures with the Mineral Exploration and investment Grants Act . This finances exploration work to the tune of 35 per cent of the total cost . But companies have been slow to take up the money . Of the £ 50 million that the act set aside , by the middle of last year the government had allocated only about £ 10 million .
Idiom: go from strength to strength (used idiomatically: yes)
PORTRUSH have launched a bid to appoint a club coach in preparation for next season 's Harp Senior League Section Two campaign . Ulster Branch president Nigel McCullough handed over the Harp Intermediate League trophy to first XI captain Ronnie Smith amid jubilant scenes at the club 's annual dinner in Portballintrae last night . The Co Antrim team certainly had cause to celebrate after storming to the title after five years in the doldrums … and now they aim to go from strength to strength . ' Playing membership has doubled in the past 18 months and we now have over 100 names on our books , ' committee chairman Gavin Eves pointed out . ' We still believe there is a lot of untapped potential in the catchment area which stretches from Moyle to Ballymoney .
Idiom: leave well alone (used idiomatically: yes)
I said and avoid her as much as possible I said if you both clash together . I said but she ca n't keep you out the shop anyway . So she said I 've a good mind to write to the manager so Bobby said you wanna leave well alone , forget he said . Well no be because the manager perhaps has heard Would give her the sack .
Idiom: stand on ceremony (used idiomatically: yes)
All ~ right , everyone , let 's not stand on ceremony tonight . Cheers !
Idiom: pull the plug (used idiomatically: yes)
TWA may take on Chicago route ANOTHER United States airline is considering stepping into the breach to take the place of American Airlines at Stansted . American , based in Forth Worth , Texas , announced earlier this week it was pulling the plug on the Stansted to Chicago daily route , because of losses mounting to $ 10 million . Yesterday TWA signalled its intention to step into the gap . It has had a long - standing application with the American Department of Transportation to fly from New York to Stansted .
Idiom: get a life (used idiomatically: yes)
therefore i do nt like him at all … DURRRRRRRRR MY BWAIN HURTS . Do us all a favour … get a life , then get a clue . Ok … your final task for the day is to name your ‘ brilliant’ midfield … and we 'll have a little comparison shall we … in fact Ill use Leeds ' reserves to make it fairer . I m sorry , I really have to go now … something more interesting to do , like say pick my arse …
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: yes)
However people cancelled meetings and re - arranged appointments with remarkable good humour . I think they have had to learn patience working there . Even the Arabs in the Ministry of Health office in the hospital had n't really been briefed , and the poor man who was given the job of meeting our needs nearly had a heart attack when I showed him a copy of the list I had sent out to his head office weeks ago . But I was assured it would all get done . Charles Fleming and I had a chance to look around the beautiful shops , and eat out at the RED SEA PALACE HOTEL ( pure magic by the way ) .
Idiom: small beer (used idiomatically: yes)
All reviewers have to try to stand outside the immediate context of their listening , but that can be hard to do at the same time as keeping all emotional wavelengths open . I had heard all three works on this new BIS issue and thought I knew my feelings about them . In particular the Concerto grosso had seemed to me fairly small beer beside the superb Fifth Symphony (= Concerto grosso No . 4 ) with which it is coupled on Chailly 's Decca disc . But hearing the first movement again straight after the lugubrious Piano Duet Concerto ( see review above ) it sounded marvellous . Whatever its artistic quality may be , this is quintessential Schnittke — less than two minutes long , starting out as a pastiche Bach concerto , then derailed at 0′45″ by an almighty thwack on the tubular bells , after which the music disintegrated before our very ears .
Idiom: for the time being (used idiomatically: yes)
A letter to G P s. Dear doctor , we have noticed that as a result of a press article , copy enclosed , that there 's been concern stressed by a number of general practitioners with regards the slowness of the social services controlled community care programme as an association on behalf of our residential and nursing home members we have been stating the same fact to social services who have basically denied the existence of any problem , although we hope that in the long term the social services will be able refine their system to be more efficient , as an interim measure we are offering you a direct line service . If you wish to effect a placement in a residential or nursing home we hope for the time being it will help resolve your problem . This is an attempt to circumvent the assessment process . They can not of course do that , this letter described by the director of social services as a disgrace .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
' For— ' Twoflower paused . ' I ca n't say it in Trob , ' he said . ' I do n't think the beTrobi have a word for it . In my language we call it— ' he said a collection of outlandish syllables . ' Inn - sewer - ants , ' repeated Rincewind .
Idiom: seen better days (used idiomatically: yes)
That 's how we all met.’ The car that ran out of petrol on 31 July 1964 was a six - cylinder Rover belonging to Commander Molland , Richard and Kate 's grandfather . Like the commander , whom Peter met at Plumford Vicarage just before they left for Abbotsfield , the car had seen better days . Commander Molland , a widower , was intending to spend August abroad . He had offered the car to Hubert for the summer on condition that everyone promised never to stand on the running boards , because they were threatening to fall off .
Idiom: rock bottom (used idiomatically: yes)
Again , like Microsoft , WordPerfect UK would rather that you contacted them for an upgrade . In the case of the interim release upgrade , do n't just send your cheque , but also include program disk 1 — other magazines it seems , have managed to omit this vital piece of information . WordPerfect is also a subscriber to the competitive upgrade system — see the box — and will often be found offering what is normally high priced kit at a rock bottom price to persuade you to move to their products . The importer 's view . There is another end to the market — the low - cost US import , which firms like Guildsoft specialise in .
Idiom: keep the peace (used idiomatically: yes)
Despite the beliefs of foreigners , he had not really been a warmonger . By comparison with Alexander I and most eighteenth - century tsars he had been remarkably inactive beyond his frontiers . He knew only too well that keeping the peace at home required most of his attention . His mistakes in foreign affairs sprang not from expansionism or malevolence but from non - comprehension , shortsightedness and an undue sense of his own importance . " It was one of the major tragedies of Nicholas I that his reign ended in a war over the Turkish problem which he had worked for so long to solve by peaceful and negotiated agreement " .
Idiom: come to think of it (used idiomatically: yes)
I know that he 's dead , that he lived somewhere in West Cornwall , that his pictures are making high prices and that I wish we could afford one . I 've got a catalogue of an exhibition of his somewhere and I 'll look it out if you 're interested . Come to think of it , I remember reading something recently about a new exhibition of his , going on tour . How 's that ? ' ' All right for a start .
Idiom: with open arms (used idiomatically: yes)
If they were opposed , it would take only 24 hours , but if there was no opposition it would take twice that time , because the cheering Romanian population would hold them up with their welcome . This story did the rounds some years ago , when Romanians already had the measure of their leader , but while the West was still honouring President Ceausescu for what was considered to be his independent stand on foreign policy issues . Today , it is easy to imagine that Romanians would indeed welcome Soviet forces with open arms as liberators . But is it also realistic to assume that the West might tolerate it if Mr Gorbachev decided that the Romanian people , not unlike the people of Panama , deserve to enjoy democracy , and that the Soviet Union should send some of its military across the border to dispose of the Ceausescu family and their killer Securitas forces ? Or would the West cry foul , and declare that Mr Gorbachev can not , after all , be trusted to keep his word that the Brezhnev doctrine is dead , and that he will not interfere in the Warsaw Pact countries ?
Idiom: on and off (used idiomatically: yes)
But he did n't spend much time here.’ ‘ How long have you lived in Overclyst?’ ‘ Oh — for about four years , on and off,’ he said vaguely . ‘ Why?’ ‘ No reason at all .
Idiom: dressed to the nines (used idiomatically: yes)
He 's back with your daughter.’ Doyle made his way through the crowded , smoky billiard hall , towards the bar at the end , where he could see Bodie nonchalantly sipping a coke . It was the time of day when the tables were mostly occupied by kids , all dressed to the nines , playing more with the Steve Davis ‘ cool’ than the St£e Davis ‘ skill’ . There was only one game of billiards itself in progress , every other table rattling to the scatter of the reds and colours of snooker . Ray Doyle preferred pub pool , a sharp , quick game , at which he was the Master … at least over Bodie .
Idiom: lay down the law (used idiomatically: yes)
’ YOU WANT OUR MONEY ? YOU MOVE OUT HERE,’ SAY US VENTURE CAPS A group of American venture capitalists laid down the law to European hopefuls at the Etre conference in Vienna a couple of weeks ago . There 's no way they 'll get US venture capital backing unless they move to the US . Venture capitalists like to keep close tabs on their investments , going down to the offices of the fledging chief executive officers once a week , putting their feet up on the desk and playing father confessor .
Idiom: free rein (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ John 's method of working would be : ‘ Okay , this is in C,’ and unless it had abnormal changes we just went for it . And I ca n't remember a time when he said , ‘ Do n't play that ; play this.’ He 'd always give you free rein.’ He 's so musical that I 'm sure his ability to get others to be creative must have been considerable . ‘ I think that 's probably John 's strongest talent , to pull the extra out of you , combined with a knack for putting people together .
Idiom: do the trick (used idiomatically: yes)
While this is keeping price volatility in check , it is also hindering employment growth . Rather than changing its approach , however , the Fed has responded to slow employment growth by launching additional rounds of QE . Apparently , its rationale is that if expanding reserves by more than $ 2~trillion has not produced the desired results , adding $ 85~billion more monthly – another $ 1~trillion this year – might do the trick . America ’s central bankers need not search far to find out why QE is not working ; evidence is published regularly for anyone to see . During QE2 ( from November 2010 to July 2011 ) , the Fed added a total of $ 557.9~billion to reserves , and excess reserves grew by $ 546.5~billion .
Idiom: chew the cud (used idiomatically: yes)
11 Food - laws : clean and unclean creatures Israel may eat : — Animals which chew the cud and have cloven hoofs . — Sea creatures with both fins and scales . — Birds not listed as forbidden .
Idiom: play silly buggers (used idiomatically: yes)
Mrs. Bidwell , the cleaner , in her mackintosh with the imitation fur collar , her eyes bright with indignation , her voice pitched high . " What the hell 's going on here Some bloody fool phoned my old man and told him that I need n't come in today , that Mrs. Schofield wanted me . Who 's playing silly buggers ? " Inspector Blakelock was coming down the stairs , slowly and deliberately , the protagonist making his entrance . They stood in a small circle and looked up at him , Dr. Howarth , Clifford Bradley , Miss Foley , Mrs. Bidwell .
Idiom: bring the house down (used idiomatically: yes)
The Highwaymen is a country coalition that began in 1984 and is now touring Europe . ‘ Like a band of gipsies going down the highway,’ sing these menopausal Monkees , ‘ we 're the best of friends.’ On stage each of the Highwaymen does his greatest hits , but it is when Cash is growling Ring of Fire , Folsom Prison Blues , Ragged Old Flag and Boy Named Sue that the show really brings the house down . Cash only contributed one song to the second Highwaymen album , Highwayman 2 , a number called Songs that Make a Difference . Significantly , it was written one night when Cash was sitting around at home with the likes of Bob Dylan , Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash .
Idiom: dead wood (used idiomatically: no)
you know once you , you , you lose all that bottom Mm and it 's all dead wood really Mm , mm and you 've got to keep trimming it and all to keep it nice and , and chic , no I , I think like