Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: at the crossroads (used idiomatically: yes)
" There were no barriers between Nizan and this revolution … he was filled with emotion by everything that he witnessed " , a fellow journalist recalls.98 Unquestionably , Spain in 1936 represented the pinnacle of Nizan 's revolutionary and Republican aspirations . As early as 4 January 1936 he was speaking of the political crisis in Spain , predicting a violent confrontation between Popular Front Republicanism and the fascism of Gil Robles . By 16 February , on the eve of the elections , Nizan described Spain as being at the " crossroads of fascism and liberty " . On 18 February , following the Popular Front electoral success , Nizan did not allow the euphoria that he undoubtedly experienced after " the defeat of Spanish fascism " to blind him to the fact that the real struggle was about to begin . " Sunday 's victory is not a conclusion , it is a prelude . "
Idiom: easy on the eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Today Stephen was worried about the reception staff . They would be the paying customers ' first impression of Crystal Springs . It was vital that they should be prompt and professional as well as easy on the eye . Michael told him not to worry , it was all taken care of . The off - hand answer irritated Stephen .
Idiom: oil and water (used idiomatically: no)
There are a variety of cupboards , drawer units , dresser tops , chests and bookcases to choose from . Senior partner Steve Armitage is the designer , Mark the paint expert . The range of colour and finishes is unique , based on authentic early American shades , using natural earth pigments , linseed oils and water - based media . The result is an earthy look , which can be colour - rubbed , antiqued , stippled , crackle glazed or dragged . Very popular is a dark brick red , with a thin coat of green over the top .
Idiom: err on the side of (used idiomatically: yes)
In practical terms this is translated into the maxim ‘ get it in the bucket’ , a rule of particular importance in ‘ one - off’ rather than continuing pollutions , since there may only be one chance to sample . Besides , as field staff said , ‘ you can always throw it away later’ if the pollution turns out to be unimportant and the officer wants to avoid the trouble of processing , that is , bureaucratically accounting for , his sample . In general , wherever the officer believes a case to be one which may come to his supervisor 's knowledge , it is appropriate to err on the side of caution , to ‘ go by the book’ and protect himself from criticism . He becomes , in effect , more willing to define cases as ‘ pollutions’ since the agency has grounds for complaint only when an officer fails to take action in an instance which officially warrants it — not the other way round . III .
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
Despite their different approaches , and in the end different aims , their work converges on several important issues . Firstly , they all reject sex as an autonomous realm , a natural force with specific effects , a ' rebellious energy ' which the ' social'controls . In the work of Gagnon and Simon , it seems to be suggested that nothing is intrinsically sexual , or rather that anything can be sexualised ( though what creates the notion of ' sexuality ' itself is never answered ) . In Jacques Lacan 's reinterpretation of Freud , sexuality , or rather sexual desire , is constituted in language : it is the law of the Father , the castration fear , and the pained entry of the child into the ' symbolic order ' , that is the world of language and meaning , at the Oedipal moment , which instigates ' desire ' . In Foucault 's work ' sexuality ' is seen as an historical apparatus , and ' sex'is a ' complex idea that was formed within the deployment of sexuality':'Sexuality must not be thought of as a kind of natural given which power tries to hold in check , or as an obscure domain which knowledge gradually tries to uncover .
Idiom: few and far between (used idiomatically: yes)
There are Scots down here who could never go back north because they would n't fit in . I would hate to be like that.’ However Hamilton 's forays north are few and far between . Work eclipses all other areas of his life . He lives alone in a flat within two minutes walk of his office on the South Bank .
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Another was rediscovering choral music , in mid - life , because , as he said : ‘ Dr Morgan got to me.’ Dr Morgan , by sheer force of personality , got most of the school to sing an oratorio and an opera every year , banging it into us by ear and I am sure most of us could n't sight read . He banged it into us very successfully , but singing Mozart 's Requiem 30 years later I found I knew most of it by heart . And here was an astonishing thing , this ridiculously optimistic approach to their pupils obviously suited the teachers as well . They had n't changed at all .
Idiom: make a night of it (used idiomatically: yes)
Potter , Thomas , young city clerk who affects the dress of a coachman , and has an ‘ offhand , dashing , amateur - pickpocket - sort - of - manner’ . With his friend , Robert Smithers , he determines to ‘ make a night of it’ after receipt of his quarter 's wages ; their riotous behaviour leads to their arrest and appearance before a magistrate the following morning . SB 43 . Potterson , Abigail ( ‘ Abbey’ ) ,
Idiom: from scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
Many of the Windows databases will access your . DBF files , but the existing investment in applications will be lost . In other words , if you have spent a long time writing programs to carry out tasks , you will have to start again from scratch . CA - dBFast from Computer Associates is a way around this problem . It is a Windows database that uses the xBASE language for its programs .
Idiom: in the saddle (used idiomatically: yes)
Of the subsequent careers of the other runners in the 1984 St Leger , perhaps the most interesting is that of At Talaq , who won the Melbourne Cup in Australia in 1986 . Whether Darrel McHargue would have won on Commanche Run is irrelevant , for this was vintage Lester Piggott — the jockey completely at one with his horse , pushing it just enough to achieve maximum effort but always keeping it balanced , willing and galloping straight for the line . The trials and tribulations which beset Piggott after his riding career was over — imprisonment in October 1987 for tax fraud — do nothing to distract from his achievements in the saddle , and never have his skills been better demonstrated than when he won his twenty - eighth Classic . Lester Piggott and Commanche Run leaving the paddock . There 's only one St Leger and there 's only one Lester .
Idiom: true to form (used idiomatically: yes)
' This is the best I have played so close to Wimbledon , ' confirmed Edberg , and no one was disputing the fact . His bank account benefitted by £ 38,382 , but the benefit to his confidence was surely of greater value . Edberg True to form Cash ' would - be ' finalist Mats Wilander — dumped out in the first round
Idiom: make a killing (used idiomatically: no)
Stepan 's forward-pointing negative ‘ wo n't ’ is no less important than his collective ‘ they ’ . As The Possessed is a novel of groups , circles , sets , quintets , real and imagined , so it is a novel of empty or baffled futurity . Bridge-building is empty because it never happens , God-killing and god-making suicide is baffled because there is only a corpse to point at , there is nobody to attach a fulfilled ‘ free intention ’ to . Peter Verkhovensky attacks this bafflement from the other end , from the standpoint of afterwards , as well as that of the not-yet-dead Kirillov who is arguing with him here and now . How is the world going to know it has received a boundless freedom at the hands of an obscure young man lying in some back room in a provincial Russian town ?
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
His Bach - Busoni is strong , no nonsense stuff , and he commands the sort of tonal palette which this music really needs . In the ' St. Anne ' Prelude and Fugue , one is overcome by the sheer majesty and regality of what one hears rather than by superficial pianistic fireworks . It is in the three largest works on the recording that Demidenko is at his very best , with incredibly strong and deep sonorities at the end of the C major Toccato , Adagio and Fugue , providing an almost terrifying conclusion to this monumental work . I was somewhat less impressed by Demidenko in the smaller - scale pieces : his Rejoice beloved Christians sounds slow and bland when compared to the super - human wizardry of Frederic Chiu on his stunning début recital of transcriptions for Harmonia Mundi , ( — a ' must ' for all Busonians ) whilst the slower chorales on the Hyperion disc are given the visionary touch on MK by Tatiana Nikolayeva . Despite this , and the fact that a warmer instrument could have been found , the new Hyperion issue deserves wide circulation , for Demidenko shows just how lofty and spiritual Bach - Busoni can be .
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
Now southern Europe 's biologically richest areas are threatened with disaster . The EEC plans to spend £ 35 billion ( 30 % of the Community budget ) on development , most in rural regions of southern Europe , and Ireland between 1989 and 1993 . Already , Community funds have led to some of Europe 's best wildlife habitats — for example , Lake Prespa in Greece , home to wolf , bears , otter and rare birds such as the Dalmatian pelican and pygmy cormorant . — being seriously damaged . Much worse is likely to follow .
Idiom: like clockwork (used idiomatically: yes)
Together with Gould 's uncle and a William John Martin of Camden Town , Mr Mitchell and Prince were appointed by Gould to act as his attorneys . Every effort was made by Gould to ensure that his business would run smoothly , efficiently , and with unremitting industry while he was away . The Gould machine was set like clockwork to continue ticking as methodically for the next two years as it had for the last eight . And it was on Prince 's shoulders that this great burden of sustaining the Gould enterprise was to fall , as Gould ordained : ‘ It is my wish that my Clerk Mr. Prince who is well acquainted with my business and affairs and in whom I place great confidence should continue in the management and conduct of the same … to sell and dispose or exchange all or any of my works on Ornithology and specimens of Natural History in the manner I have been accustom to do … to continue or complete as far as practicable the publication of any work or works of mine on Ornithology and to do all other [ illegible]by issuing a Prospectus advertising the same … to purchase all necessary materials articles and things fit and proper for the carrying on of my business … to borrow for a temporary period any money from my Bankers , Messrs Drummond and Company … and if there by any surplus available for the purpose to invest the same in purchase of Stock … to pay the rent and taxes … make up , adjust and settle all and every or any Accounts … [and generally]to do perform and execute all and every or any other acts deeds matters and things whatsoever are necessary to be done in all other my concerns engagements affairs and business whatsoever during my absence from England as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes as I myself might or could do if I were personally present and did the same.’
Idiom: around the clock (used idiomatically: yes)
Survival in the force meant in part learning to accept as legitimate some of the City Police 's more peculiar idiosyncrasies and arbitrary discipline . ‘ You Must n't Make a Mistake’ Like beat duty , on shift around the clock , discipline never let up . It was a total environment . It governed the minutiae of affairs , ready to strike wherever weakness showed up .
Idiom: come of age (used idiomatically: yes)
First , because identification with one 's community is morally worthwhile , and acceptance of the authority of the state an appropriate way ( though not the only way ) to express it , one may jump to the conclusion that one has an obligation to accept the authority of the state , or even that it has authority independently of such acceptance . Reflection on the analogous case of promises dispels this impression . There are times when making a certain promise ( say to look after a friend 's child if the friend dies before the child comes of age ) are morally worthwhile but where one does not have an obligation to make them ( remember that in this example too one may find other adequate ways to help one 's friend ) . Certainly one is not under an obligation to look after the child if one did not promise to do so just because it would have been a good thing to promise . Second , if the attitude of respect is itself the source of the legitimacy of the authority then it is a self - referential attitude .
Idiom: go straight (used idiomatically: yes)
for the people who live there they are , anyway the river 's a great divide Oh yeah Yes , it 's amazing how a big delight it is , despite all the bridges Oh that 's right , mm You did n't go straight from college overseas Well , as near as possible because , erm , I mean I was appointed to , to Africa while I was still in college Oh , mm , mm
Idiom: get a grip (used idiomatically: no)
Tyrant ! ' A silver cup whizzed an inch wide of her father 's ear ; her eldest brother caught it just before it sailed out of an arrow - slit window . At last her mother distracted Elizabeth , and her father got a firm grip on her waist . Skidding on a gravy - greased platter as she tried to kick , she lost her balance , and her mother slapped her face hard . She screamed , more in rage than pain , but she was tiring , and her father managed to control her struggles .
Idiom: hold someone's hand (used idiomatically: yes)
The glare when they emerged from the restaurant was disorientating . Simone kissed her warmly on her cheek , looked as though she was about to say something , and then thought better of it . André held her hand and squeezed it . ‘ I 'll get in touch , if that 's all right . Is it?’
Idiom: clutch at straws (used idiomatically: yes)
Anyway , it does no harm for a politician to evince some passing interest in sport . The ones who really enjoy it play the sporting card for all it 's worth ; the others pray that it will render them a touch more human . And as they get ready for the Big One , the title decider , the lads will clutch at every available straw . Like Major , Neil Kinnock 's sporting credentials are beyond reproach . Currently he is celebrating the revival , renewal , resurgence , restoration , in short , the revitalisation of Welsh rugby fortunes after that overwhelming triumph — a single - point victory in Dublin .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
Little has come of these arguments . The Dodd - Frank ~ Act did succeed in putting the OTS out of its misery , but jealous congressional oversight committees have prevented a merger of the SEC and CFTC , and nothing has been done to rationalize banking supervision . So the American system looks remarkably similar to the one that turned a collective blind eye to the rise of fatal tensions in the early 2000s . One factor that contributed to institutional stasis was the absence of a persuasive alternative . In the decade or ~ so leading up to the meltdown of 2007 - 2008 , the global trend was toward regulatory integration .
Idiom: scratch the surface (used idiomatically: yes)
Yet there is little detailed Parliamentary control . Debates on the floor of the House are rarely concerned with matters of detail . The various departmental select committees looking at the estimates and the Public Accounts Committee looking at the accounts of what has been spent , can only scratch the surface . There is no parliamentary control over Government borrowing . The Comptroller and Auditor General , appointed by the Crown on a resolution of the House of Commons by virtue of section 1(1 ) of the National Audit Act 1983 has two major functions:(a ) to ensure that all money paid out of the government accounts has been properly authorised and is properly applied ; and ( b ) to examine the accounts of the , various government departments .
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: yes)
One of the most important parts of investment is inward investment into this country , which is very much encouraged by our low rates of tax — by our low rates of corporation tax and by the fact that we have a low higher rate of income of tax . We all know what the Labour party will do to the higher rate , but even it does not seem to know what it will do to the tax on middle managers — national insurance contributions . If Labour Members want to encourage inward investment , they should come clean and clarify in their own minds what their plans for national insurance contributions are . Sir Ian Stewart As the future of manufacturing investment depends on confidence in future economic performance , does my right hon . Friend think that anyone contemplating what will happen to his income will feel more confident if he is threatened with slow torture rather than immediate amputation ?
Idiom: to boot (used idiomatically: no)
As you might expect from a Swedish manufacturer , the heating and ventilation are superb ; you can supply cold air to the face and warm air to the feet at the same time . The interior styling is sombre ; apart from the headlining and plush seat facings everything is either dark grey or black . However , there are plenty of storage areas plus a ' ski - flap ' through to the 17 cubic feet boot for long , thin items . To sum up , the 940 is the traditionally sensible Volvo product — well specified , spacious and solid . With its supremely aerodynamic body , the 605 moves through the air quietly and efficiently
Idiom: at sea (used idiomatically: yes)
Robots are used at sea terminals to move containers from ships .
Idiom: have a go (used idiomatically: yes)
His trainer , a very pushy guy , kept saying : ‘ One hundred phrases at his command , David ! Ask him any questions you like and he 'll answer . ’ So I said : ‘ If you will just be quiet for a moment , I 'll have a go . ’ And for five minutes I quizzed this wretched bird without getting a single chirp out of it . Finally , I had to say , ‘ Of course , this is the world 's greatest feathered mime artiste .
Idiom: first off (used idiomatically: yes)
Yes , the atmosphere was outstanding as we put our clothes on and went downstairs to have something to eat . There we sat , at the dinette feature , side by side , equably untwirling yard after yard of the pale pasta . Then another first — off to the movies , if you please . And arm in arm . I felt I was moving through a strange land , on tiptoe , with the woman I was allowed to touch — was allowed to do anything I wanted to , or at least anything I was capable of doing .
Idiom: below par (used idiomatically: yes)
Gooch has complained too many times now that the players needed to compete more keenly . Along with team manager Keith Fletcher , they both continually insist that the England team is packed with quality players . But performances have been consistently below par for too long and drastic action needs to be taken . Every Australian player made some contribution to a fully deserved victory . They looked combative and confident and they had an aggression which , Gooch and Such apart , England too clearly lacked .
Idiom: thumb your nose at (used idiomatically: yes)
Four republics — Russia , the Ukraine , Belorussia and Kazakhstan — have already agreed to negotiate a limited union treaty among themselves , which other republics can join if they wish . Between them these four represent 80 % of the Soviet people , a solid core of a new union . But it is one thing to thumb your nose at Mr Gorbachev over the Kremlin wall , as many thousands did in a demonstration in Moscow last weekend . Or to jeer at the discredited Baltic Communists who rode in behind the thugs , proclaimed themselves in charge in Lithuania and Latvia and then scuttled for cover . It is quite another to stand defiantly in front of the guns and hold your ground .
Idiom: head for the hills (used idiomatically: yes)
You will feel confident knowing your independent holiday is backed by the same high standard of our reservations service . LAKES & MOUNTAINS When it is time to relax and really get away from it all , Italians head for the hills and the spectacular scenery for our country 's lakes and mountains . Here it is tranquil , there is a rarefied atmosphere — still deep blue waters . The pace of life slows and it is easy to unwind .
Idiom: turn a blind eye (used idiomatically: yes)
A playwright once responded to someone who asked him about the message of his play that when he wanted to send messages he did so by telegram . It 's far more useful to think about plays in terms of the questions they ask us than what they tell us . Macbeth , for example , asks us some very difficult questions about ( amongst other things ) the relationship between power and sexuality , about acquiescence in the face of evil and turning a blind eye to things we 'd rather not know about . Different interpreters see these questions differently , which is why there can be so many different productions of the same play . But by formulating the central questions ( sometimes subconsciously ) the production is made coherent and given a focus .
Idiom: turn heads (used idiomatically: yes)
Harold Badcock . She uttered a grunt of dismay and surprise . The squaw turned head and shoulder and looked at her . Great dark eyes stared up from under broad brow and untidy hairline . Generous lips drew back in a smile to reveal small , pearl - like teeth .
Idiom: moment of truth (used idiomatically: yes)
I know you are watching and I will sort you out tomorrow.’ We all had a good laugh about it , but it was not so funny if you happened to be Keith Fletcher . Australia made inroads into our batting and the moment of truth arrived when Fletch had to go out and bat . No helmet , no visor , just his MCC cap with St George on his horse as the badge . Lillee met him at the gate and escorted him to the middle .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst and Sir John Forster told conflicting stories in the subsequent enquiry . Ferniehirst was removed from office on English insistence , and gradually calm was restored . A flagrant breach of truce in 1596 made history , and led to the creation of one of the most famous of the Border Ballads collected by Sir Walter Scott and others : the tale of Kinmont Willie . William Armstrong of Kinmont , a celebrated reiver or raider , was among the Scottish representatives at a meeting at Kershopefoot in Liddesdale , where the English frontier runs down the middle of the Kershope burn to its junction with the Liddel Water , and then south down the Liddel . Today it is a delightful corner , a tranquil meeting of the waters below a modern bridge with a road sign for England and Cumbria at one end .
Idiom: call it a day (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ OK , Patsy,’ he mumbled as his young brother weaved round him . ‘ OK so you got lucky . So let 's call it a day — OK?’ ‘ No,’ said Patsy . ‘ It 's not OK , Mike .
Idiom: state of the art (used idiomatically: yes)
Colin Vickerman , secretary of the Joint Matriculation Board , said : ‘ It is a continuing problem which all the boards are having to keep a fairly close watch on . Things that take up no more space than a cigarette packet can now have vast amounts of data in them . The state of the art is quite incredible.’ Machines which once cost £ 400 to £ 500 as prototypes are now available for £ 3 to £ 4 . While there was no evidence of widespread abuse of calculators in the examination room , the boards , he said , were attempting to anticipate possible problems .