Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: lay a finger on (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ No,’ she began , seeing now the distinct intent in his eyes , the flicker of calculation . ‘ Stay away from me,’ she breathed . ‘ Do n't you dare so much as lay a finger on me.’ ‘ What will you do ? Go on , say it — women always do .
Idiom: cock a snook (used idiomatically: yes)
If he is afforded the slightest respect it makes him worse , larger.’ ‘ I know you to be right,’ said Lydia in her reflective pedantic way , ‘ but I have not your courage . I might cock a snook at him behind his back but I would n't dash into his path making the victory sign.’ ‘ Nor would I,’ said Beuno . ‘ I would n't seek him out , but if by mischance he should loom up before me I should waggle my fingers at him.’
Idiom: in the black (used idiomatically: no)
But it 's a problem accentuated in a white ruled society that for decades regarded migrant blacks as temporary sojourners in urban areas , and little was done to accommodate them until influx control laws were removed four years ago . It was madness to begin with , the only trouble is , it took forty years for the government to discover it 's own craziness and to begin to dismantle it , we are now reaping the legacy of that , of , of the , the accumulated folly of forty years is now bursting upon our cities . And as the pressure mounts , squatters are encroaching on what was once idyllic whites only areas and the residents of Hout Bay near Capetown are made increasingly aware that in this time of political reform , they are no longer sheltered from the reality of life in the black townships . There 's no toilets , nothing for them , I mean they 're doing everything in public , I mean it 's not right , it 's making life bad and this is meant to be a holiday resort . Well , I think they must get out , I mean they ca n't live like that .
Idiom: off the hook (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ She 's OK . Little Chef seems to like her.’ Following him through the dark , panelled and tapestried hall , Daisy noticed the telephone off the hook in the drawing room , then froze . Ahead on the kitchen table lay a twelve bore . Ricky must be about to commit suicide .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
Class and status groups In many societies class and status situations are closely linked . Weber notes that ‘ Property as such is not always recognized as a status qualification , but in the long run it is , and with extraordinary regularity’ . However , those who share the same class situation will not necessarily belong to the same status group . For example the nouveaux riches ( the newly rich ) are sometimes excluded from the status groups of the privileged because their tastes , manners and dress are defined as vulgar .
Idiom: spot on (used idiomatically: yes)
Party Politics , a 16–1 chance , is in ‘ great shape’ in the run up to the big race according to trainer Nick Gaselee . ‘ He 's very well and is usually at his best when fresh,’ he said . The trainer intends to give the eight - year - old , who is likely to be ridden by Richard Dunwoody in the Hennessy , a gallop at Newbury racecourse to put him spot - on . Bradbury Star is a best - priced 3–1 from 7–2 with Ladbrokes for Saturday 's H & T Walker Gold Cup at Ascot due to doubts surrounding the participation of second favourite Beech Road . Danny Harrold has also been in demand for the £ 50,000 contest and is now 8–1 .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: yes)
Azra Duric , another Bosnian refugee , says Shnezhana and her husband Haris had escaped to the seaside quiet of Split from the beseiged town of Mostar . Their car came under mortar fire and they had to cross five military checkpoints . A volunteer from Kettering also made the journey . Kevin Bird says she 's a brave girl — she 's put up with mortar fire , a tuma and now looks like having open heart surgery .
Idiom: get lost (used idiomatically: yes)
March 29th : The district auditor says this device too would be illegal . Haringey will have to find the £ 22 m for itself . Its accountants sit down with the auditor for a day of conjuring tricks and , hey presto , £ 15 m gets lost in a cloud of smoke , leaving a mere £ 7 m to find . March 30th , 7.30pm : The council meets to set a rate , facing an inherited deficit of about £ 50 m on top of £ 175 m of 1989 - 90 spending . A massed choir of anti - cuts protesters drowns speeches .
Idiom: make a clean break (used idiomatically: yes)
LINFORD Christie will quit athletics in two years ' time — aiming to bow out as the undisputed No 1 sprinter in the world . The Olympic 100 metres champion will retire after the Commonwealth Games in Canada in 1994 , by which time he hopes to have added the World Championship gold medal to his trophy chest . Christie , who yesterday signed a deal with Puma worth an estimated £ 500,000 , said : ‘ I 'll make a clean break from athletics in two years time and I wo n't be competing anymore . ‘ I do n't want any kid coming along and beating me in my twilight years . I set out to be the best athlete Britain has ever known and I 've achieved that .
Idiom: get the picture (used idiomatically: yes)
Er I do n't think one would ever have the stomach to go through all the detail . And even looking at the figures we get now , I mean others here will take a great deal of interest , one 's interested in knowing where you 're going and what 's , you 're looking at those figures yourself anyway . I would expect to get the broad picture and highlights and examples of . And that 's what I would have thought was proper for the board to know about . I think beyond that you 're getting to very detailed analysis which will take a lot of time , either yours or ours .
Idiom: in the bag (used idiomatically: yes)
Guide her finger to each one in turn and ask her to taste and identify each powder . Use a fresh plate for each girl . Touch : Put several objects in a drawstring bag . Give each Brownie in turn one minute to put her hand in the bag and identify the objects . She then whispers them to the Sixer while the next Brownie has her turn .
Idiom: over the top (used idiomatically: no)
A sound that more than anything else is rooted in the excitement of the live arena rather than the cut ' n ' mix ethics of the studio . ‘ I like the eclecticism of some of that studio stuff,’ admits Tara speaking in his young , snotty Jagger voice . ‘ The idea of nicking a Stones riff and putting it behind a James Brown backbeat and howling over the top is pretty appealing , but it 's not really what we 're into as a band . ‘ It 's good , though , because in ten year 's time you 'll be able to do family trees for records . You 'll take a song and trace its riffs back and sit around with your grandchildren playing the originals .
Idiom: whoop it up (used idiomatically: yes)
Being Royal is no fun at all . You and I , presented with loads of dosh and plenty of places to live in , would spend our time whooping it up . Meeting Steve the stamp man from Surbiton or Billy from the back of beyond or travelling around attending street parties and generally being gawped at by the Press and the populace is not my idea of whooping it up . Me , I 'd take half a dozen ski trips a year , spend a lot of time on the beach , have a lot of fun in pubs and clubs ( and , by the by , give Middlesbrough FC enough money to win the Football League and FA Cup ) . A shallow lifestyle ?
Idiom: food for thought (used idiomatically: yes)
Little mascots spread the luck around and warm the crowd on a chilly day . As the fans tune in and line up for the battle ahead . The red army marches on its stomach , although the dream of Wembley and premier league football is food for thought . Male speaker Swindon are definitely going to win .
Idiom: win the day (used idiomatically: yes)
It is not yet certain that they will get the chance . If one of the big parties wins something close to a majority of seats , it may have two ways of avoiding dependence on either Catalans or Basques . One is to settle for being a minority government , and hope to collect enough support each time a parliamentary vote comes up to win the day and stay in office . The other is to go into coalition with some of the other regional parties that may also hold some seats in parliament . Under Spain 's system of proportional representation , regionalists stand a chance of winning seats in Valencia , Aragon , the Canary Islands and Andalusia .
Idiom: behind bars (used idiomatically: yes)
He returned in a few minutes with a very wet and chastened Liam and the cortege was complete . Thus Old Den left the scene of his many triumphs on the shoulders of his son and his friends , leaving behind him on the bar fond memories of countless great nights of debates , discussion and song , echoed now in the keening of the women from their seats in the corner . Behind the empty and desolate bar , stood the solitary figure of Tim , the barman , calmly tearing up at least half - a - dozen pages of unpaid drinks in the name of Denis O'Neil . A circle of O'Neils sat in silence round the dining table in Sean and Michael 's new service flat in Gramercy Park , New York City . Both men had moved up in the world recently and the evidence of their new wealth was all around them in the curtains , the carpets , the original paintings and the quality of the ornaments and effects .
Idiom: come to mind (used idiomatically: yes)
But let me return to the question that is of genuine interest , this question we so enjoyed debating when our evenings were not spoilt by chatter from those who lacked any fundamental understanding of the profession ; that is to say , the question ‘ what is a great butler’ ? To the best of my knowledge , for all the talk this question has engendered over the years , there have been very few attempts within the profession to formulate an official answer . The only instance that comes to mind is the attempt of the Hayes Society to devise criteria for membership . You may not be aware of the Hayes Society , for few talk of it these days . But in the twenties and the early thirties , it exerted a considerable influence over much of London and the Home Counties .
Idiom: carrot and stick (used idiomatically: yes)
In addition to this lump sum the annual half a million pound allowance will be paid to the Duchess by the Queen partly to ensure that she is never tempted to publish memoirs or talk about her failed marriage . Such , shu shut up money arrangements are never openly discussed , but the financial arrangements within the Duke and Duchess will include a contract with a silent clause . The senior aide said last night there will be carrot and stick clauses . The Duchess will be told quite clearly that if news or information gets out publicly in any way she could be fined , for example will be warned that time spent with her children will possibly be curtailed if she does n't tow the line . And it goes on and all .
Idiom: get stuck in (used idiomatically: yes)
Charles did n't find many sympathetic characters among the cast . The Horror Film Specialist was surrounded by an admiring coterie of lesser horror film specialists and most of their conversation referred back to previous triumphs . ( ‘ Do you remember that Dracula when your fang got stuck in the girl 's bra?’ ; or ‘ I 'll never forget that girl who had hysterics during that human sacrifice’ ; or ‘ Do you remember that take as the Werewolf when you forgot your line and said ‘ Bow - Wow’?’ They all sat around , reminding each other of things they all remembered , each waiting his cue for the next reminiscence to be slotted in . So Charles went off on his own most of the time .
Idiom: come to a head (used idiomatically: yes)
SPAIN Industrial unrest A massive industrial crisis came to a head in late 1991 and early 1992 with widespread industrial unrest in some areas as Spain began to restructure its loss - making steel , coal , shipbuilding and other sectors and withdraw subsidies in preparation for the EC single internal market in 1993 . At least 35,000 jobs were expected to be lost in the mining and metallurgical industries alone ( including defence , electronics and telecommunications ) over the next few months . In Asturias strike action began in late December 1991 in all the mines owned by the state company Hunosa ( the biggest employer in the region , which had made a loss of 65,000 million ptas — US$ 674 million — in 1991 ) in protest at a restructuring plan which would involve the loss of 6,000 jobs by the end of 1993 at a saving of only 15,000 million ptas .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
FOR teenagers , Wayne 's World is just the video they have been waiting for . For those of us staring down into the yawning chasm of the generation gap it really is n't so bad , you know . Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are the two dudes whose off - the - wall cable television show broadcast from a basement attracts a cult teenage following . But it also wakes up media moguls , led by dastardly Rob Lowe , who see the benefits of hijacking their fame . The movie shot in a record 35 days scored big at the box - office and is out later this month from CIC Video .
Idiom: tongue in cheek (used idiomatically: yes)
Models such as Linda Evangelista , Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss , appeared in TV adverts for the Corsa . The car received more publicity when a feminist group complained that shots of Naomi appearing in a leather outfit complete with whip in a fantasy bondage scene was ' sexist and disgusting ' . However , the Independent Television Commission ruled that the adverts were more tongue - in - cheek rather than sinister or sexist and that , in any , case the Naomi Campbell one had been moved to a post-9pm slot . A replacement for the Nova , the Corsa was ninth in the May 1993 UK top ten sellers list . By Daily Post Correspondent
Idiom: kicking and screaming (used idiomatically: yes)
I 'll go to the police if I have to.’ She thought of the helpful policeman who had told her the wrong day for the train . ‘ I 'm not going to drag you away,’ he said , ‘ kicking and screaming , by the hair . If I hurt you , it would be in other ways.’ The inside of her body pulsed and moved , leaving the outside a thin cold integument , stranded .
Idiom: not all there (used idiomatically: yes)
Would you say that Abie was clever ? Abie Klugman had long grown used to the taunt — it was Aronson 's stock joke for all of the ten years they had been lodging with Mrs Neumann , and he no longer minded it . He knew he was slow - witted ; so many things that were simple for other people quite defeated him , and he was aware that this made him different — he had even heard himself referred to as ‘ not all there’ . But , dull and wanting though he might be , he at least had dignity , consideration , mensheskeit . Never would he have committed the outrage of addressing his landlady by her first name .
Idiom: have a heart (used idiomatically: no)
The still stunning star of classic hit films like Private Benjamin and Shampoo has two teenage children , Oscar , 15 , and 16-year-old Katie — Goldie 's children by her marriage to musician Bill Hudson — and five-year-old son Wyatt , by Kurt . Kurt 's 14 year-old son Boston , by his former wife Season Hubley , is also a regular visitor . Goldie still oozes little girl charm , but admits she 's a family woman at heart . ‘ I feel lost without my kids . I love to have them around me when I 'm working .
Idiom: in the works (used idiomatically: yes)
That power is located in the slums , in the kinship and solidarity which prevail there , in sanctions which welfare workers will not be able to comprehend . The angle from which the riots are studied makes them appear distant and unimportant , while also worrying . The same angle was conspicuous in the title story of Naipaul 's previous book , In a Free State , where a coup in a new African country was studied , as it were , out of the corner of an eye ; and it also occurs elsewhere in his work . On these occasions the eye discerns a kind of visibility in ' an area of darkness ' : this , in fact , is the title of the book which records Naipaul 's ' experience of India ' . Enthusiasts for explanation , however , might want to explain that this ' darkness visible ' tends to obscure and diminish what deserves to be understood , and that , for him , there are important countries and unimportant countries , and that the coups and riots of the latter are severely diminishable .
Idiom: moment of truth (used idiomatically: yes)
ROBERT Strain , bitter at seeing Glentoran lose a commanding half - time lead , admitted it was crisis time at the Oval yet again . He is now in the market for a goalkeeper and midfielder . The moment of truth comes on Tuesday when they meet unstoppable Portadown in a quarter - final at Shamrock Park , Glentoran having only qualified on goal difference . Strain said : ‘ Coleraine deserved more than they got . Dean Smyth is transfer - listed in goal and I do n't have a Billy Caskey or Ray Morrison in midfield .
Idiom: give something a miss (used idiomatically: yes)
' Hello ! I 've found you at last . I was beginning to think you 'd given it a miss . ' It was several seconds before Lindsey recognised the dark - haired girl grinning at her . ' Kay ! ' she exclaimed .
Idiom: open someone's eyes (used idiomatically: yes)
At the far end of the chamber is a coffin on a heavy table , and seated beside it a woman in a low - cut black dress with red silk edging . The adventurers have come upon Maximilian von Steinhoff , a Vampire from Talabheim , and Juliane Fassbinder , a Vampiric Minion ( see New Monsters ) who travels with and protects her master . When the adventurers first arrive , Maximilian opens his eyes and begins to awaken ; from this moment on , he is gaining strength all the time . The Profiles section gives details of profile changes . He is silent until 6 rounds have elapsed ; Juliane does the talking .
Idiom: down to the wire (used idiomatically: yes)
The bass is more funky than a fridge full of Earth Wind And Fire remixes . Jonti jumps about , a mass of raps and vocal slaps . No shame , no gain is the subliminal motto , and The Cherrys chase the drongo - rock dragon down to the wire . The only problem I have with all this hectic activity is that the concept of funk - metal should have been buried under 20 feet of hyper dangerous asbestos padding before it was permitted to draw its first breath . To their credit , The Cherrys are more to do with cartoon frenzies than the slick professionalism which seemingly warrants a Spin front cover at the drop of a bobble hat , but it 's as hollow a victory as Linford Christie 's Olympic Gold in the absence of Carl Lewis .
Idiom: behind closed doors (used idiomatically: yes)
On the 3rd the leaders of the Bolsheviki had another historic meeting behind closed doors .
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Why should he start with Simon ? Like Simon said , he was just a vandal who liked spoiling things . An image came into her head : of Gazzer 's spray can dropping out of his pocket and clunking across the floor of the kiosk : a little vandal who went round spraying his name everywhere . ' I wo n't hurt him , ' said Simon , ' if that 's what you 're worried about . There 's other ways of dealing with his sort . '
Idiom: crystal clear (used idiomatically: yes)
Pure Relaxation Relaxation comes naturally at the Forte Hotel Village . The sea is as crystal clear as any spot in the Caribbean you might care to name . The gardens are quiet and secluded , the service is friendly and magnificent meals tempt the most jaded appetites . Or why not just be pampered at the superb Health and Beauty Centre located by the deluxe Villa del Parco .
Idiom: down the drain (used idiomatically: yes)
As we passed Number 110 , I spotted Mrs Shorrocks staring at me out of the window , sporting her usual black eye and a mass of different coloured bruises which she collected from Bert most Saturday nights . ‘ You can go and bail ‘ i m out round noon,’ said Granpa.’‘e should have sobered up by then.’ I scowled at the thought of having to fork out the half - crown to cover his fine , which simply meant another day 's profits down the drain . A few minutes after twelve o'clock I reported to the police station . The duty sergeant told me that Bert Shorrocks was still in the cells and due up in front of the beak that afternoon , but they had n't set eyes on my old man the whole weekend .
Idiom: over the counter (used idiomatically: yes)
Ginnie prescribes drugs shake - up PATIENTS will be able to write their own prescriptions as part of a plan to cut the £ 3 billion NHS drugs bill . Many drugs will be available over the counter instead of by doctor 's order only , Health Secretary Virginia Bottomley told the Medical Journalists ' Association in London yesterday . The changes should reduce the 150 tonnes of unwanted medicines that are thrown away every year . ‘ The volume of unused medicines in the nation 's bathroom cabinets is a serious problem,’ she said .
Idiom: make history (used idiomatically: yes)
On the one hand , X and Y are human beings with beliefs and aims , and we are interested in what is in their heads . On the other hand , their situation is structured , and ( ' holism ' here standing for the idea that the parts of a whole behave as the whole requires ) we are interested in the social constraints on their actions . Both pulls are strong and theories which purport to reconcile them tend to be fragile , even though they capture a stout commonsense conviction that , as Marx put it , ' Men make their own history but they do not make it just as they please ; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves . ' But let us suppose that there are theories robust enough to hold the tension . The contrast shows up in the different notions of ' social capacity ' .
Idiom: come with the territory (used idiomatically: yes)
You comfortably decant every bottle of English wine into a couple of large French storage tanks . And then there 's the weather . You need sunshine to ripen grapes and in England unpredicability comes with the territory . To many foreigners , not to mention the British themselves , England is simply too cold and damp to be serious wine producer . Nevertheless , there are now over 400 officially registered grape growers in England and Wales , most of whom make wine , and most in the South of England .
Idiom: bring up the rear (used idiomatically: yes)
Two faces of Chamlang : Top — the south west face on descent to the Hongu Valley . Below — the north west face from the first rock peak . Bringing up the rear of our party I was suddenly startled by a commotion ahead . Something , or someone , was falling down the hillside . I watched in alarm as the rapidly rotating bundle crashed down the slope , jettisoning bits and pieces as it went .
Idiom: no strings attached (used idiomatically: yes)
Other principles accepted by the declaration were : i ) that the polluter should pay for the cost of the clean - up ; ii ) that environmental damage should be guarded against even if there were no apparent scientific reasons for doing so — the " precautionary principle " ; iii ) that women have " a vital role in environmental management and development " ; and iv ) that , while nations have a right to exploit their own resources , they must not damage the environments of other states . Other issues remained unresolved , including terms of trade and the debt crisis , action to combat global warming , and the means of safeguarding tropical forests . At the root of the problem , according to one European civil servant , was the fact that : " The poor countries wanted a lot of money with no strings attached , while the rich ones wanted to give a little money with lots of strings . " US resistance to binding agreements on either aid or greenhouse gas cuts was cited by many as being a significant factor in preventing further progress . * US President Bush has agreed to travel to Rio for the summit , saying that " the US has a strong environmental record , and I 'd be proud to take that record anywhere " .
Idiom: turn the screw (used idiomatically: no)
Had those problems ? It was just brought to my attention just before I came down . When we want urgent work done we 've really got to turn the screws tight . It 's hard work is it ? Yes .