Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: yes)
Every major country of the world has abundant land in the form of farms and forests , much of which can be converted someday into urban land . Less than 1 % of the earth ’s land area is densely urbanized , and even in the most populated major countries , the share is less than 10 % . There are often regulatory barriers to converting farmland into urban land , but these barriers tend to be thwarted in the long run if economic incentives to work around them become sufficiently powerful . It becomes increasingly difficult for governments to keep telling their citizens that they ca n’t have an affordable home because of land restrictions . The price of farmland has n’t grown so fast as to make investors rich .
Idiom: at loggerheads (used idiomatically: yes)
She further declared that any charges of heresy against Pole would be heard in England , announcing in words ironically reminiscent of her father 's that : ‘ she would in observance of the laws and privileges of her realm , refer them [ the charges]to the cognisance and decision of her own ecclesiastical courts.’ Despite endless negotiations and a subsequent improvement in the international situation , the quarrel was never resolved . Mary died in November 1558 in union with Rome , but at loggerheads with the pope . She was followed just a few hours later by Pole who , like Wolsey before him , had remained to the end torn between his allegiance to his monarch and his obedience to his spiritual lord . Following Mary 's death , observers at home and abroad realized that the papal connection with England would once more be severed by her successor .
Idiom: make a splash (used idiomatically: yes)
The group 's expansion into the US market was not quite so smooth . The City took a dim view of what it regarded as the inordinate amount of time it took for the group to return a profit there . But Conran had decided not to soft - pedal in the US and had made up his mind to make a big splash immediately , which required large investments which it took years to recoup . You can adopt two lines of approach when you start a new business . You can either be very timid and start in a small way , building it up gradually and expecting to make a profit in the first year .
Idiom: break someone's heart (used idiomatically: yes)
Her tone changed , and she said decisively : ‘ I 'm going to come home with you , as soon as Pete 's affairs are cleared up . Tollemarche was livable with Pete , but without him it will be intolerable . These empty women make me sick and their neglected kids break my heart.’ Dorothy tossed her head to clear her long black hair from her eyes , and grinned elfishly at Isobel . ‘ We could live together and paint London pale pink,’ she said hopefully .
Idiom: nothing doing (used idiomatically: no)
They started their break at one o'clock and finished at two . Well they were still working when we left . Yeah , because th they keep nattering and they do n't get nothing done and then it after then , but we 've gone . But it 's ridiculous ! What do you call that one with the big , Mary is it ?
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
He 's right , of course . It 's not only riding skills that count when considering a holiday , but the ability to cope in unfamiliar surroundings . This and the social side , if any , is what can make or break a holiday . It 's no use going on a six day trail ride , with six hours daily in the saddle , if all you want is some gentle hacking in a scenic setting , with perhaps a few longer pub rides as an added bonus . Nor is it any use going with non - riding friends or family , unless riding is just one part of a sporting package which also includes walking and fishing for example , or even wind surfing or canoeing .
Idiom: on the shelf (used idiomatically: yes)
She was pleased . It is humiliating to be left and gratifying when the leaver shows signs of repentance and regret . She put the card on the dresser shelf , knowing that later she would attempt to decipher it . ' I expect he 'll turn up when he gets back , ' prophesied Betty . ' I expect he will , ' agreed Lydia .
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
The short answer is no . A more qualified response might be , yes , in various ways which collectively have shaped musical life as we know it . The Berlin Philharmonic , founded in 1882 , has grown up in tandem with the evolution of the star conductor . Its most notable musical directors — Von Bulow , Richard Strauss ( though primarily a composer ) , Nikisch , Furtwangler and Karajan — remain models on which subsequent conductors have based themselves . Nikisch , for example , was among the first to perfect the technique ( etiquette , mannerisms and devilish good looks included ) of the ‘ virtuoso conductor’ ; Furtwangler established a new and enduring tradition which transformed orchestral playing out of all recognition .
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
Originally , the Seychelles kestrels nested in holes in the mountain crags but are said to have been ousted from that habitat by barn owls which were introduced to try and control the rat population . They found alternative sites under house roofs , but suffered because of a superstitious belief that they were omens of death . Today , the kestrel , if not endangered , is certainly one of the world 's rarest birds of prey , with a population of only a few hundred . After skulking around for half an hour I spotted a kestrel in a tree nearby . It was obviously a recently fledged bird , still with a few tufts of down adhering to its head , but of its parents there was no sign .
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: no)
I found myself saying , ‘ If you genuinely want to save your marriage , go home . Pain has to be faced , to be gone through , you ca n't make it better by getting into bed with me.’ He went and I had a few miserable weeks . I missed the joy of knowing , in the back of my mind , that someone wanted me , that sometimes , when we could manage it , I could escape from the world of work , washing and worrying into a place of pure pleasure . I feared that without him I would batten down the hatches of the physical part of me and crawl back inside the shell which I had built around myself in the three years before he blew through my life .
Idiom: take a hike (used idiomatically: yes)
( Fortunately we did n't have this problem . ) With the forecast of rain we donned our rain gear , loaded our canoes and the day got started . We went across a large lake and then took a hike up a trail to see some old steam engines and lots of parts strewn about ; the trains were once used to transport the logs . Along the trail were wild raspberries which we all enjoyed . We stopped for a snack and were introduced to gorp ( good old raisins and peanuts ) , rather like a trail mix for energy .
Idiom: come clean (used idiomatically: yes)
The Devil does not mind which of these attacks upon him we make , because taken on their own either one will leave us helpless and impotent in the Enemy 's territory . SECULARISATION I must come clean and admit that the concept of secularisation has become extremely confusing in sociological usage . The clearest and most sophisticated expositions of secularisation that I know can be found in Martin ( 1978 ) and Dobbelaere ( 1981 ) . Basically secularisation is a composite concept that involves a number of different ideas .
Idiom: close to home (used idiomatically: yes)
The idea that the colonies might be told to go their own way was not considered ; an administrative system was set up to make sure that the King 's orders were obeyed on the far side of the Atlantic as much as in the more distant parts of the British Isles — it was realized that he could not expect complete obedience , and in some respects the system was losing its impetus even by the beginning of the eighteenth century , but the shift from the Greek pattern of virtual independence to the Roman pattern of general obedience in the colonies had been made and there was no reason to think it would be reversed . Continuity in Republican and Royalist Policy In 1649 the government of the Republic was not at all sure that it could assert its authority over distant colonies ; it had too many problems close to home . Ireland had been in rebellion for eight years . After the Elizabethan conquest there had been the usual influx of people wanting land , but the landlords of the traditional type had been supplemented by London - based land - holding companies and also by peasant emigrants from Scotland .
Idiom: all and sundry (used idiomatically: yes)
Where do you get all your energy from ? When other sunsigner 's get up and go has got up and gone you 're still going strong , so take pity on a pooped pal or po - fagged partner and ease up a little Tuesday . Knuckle down to any jobs you 've been promising all and sundry to do , but have secretly been avoiding like the plague . You have a self - disciplined and energetic approach to life now that should help you get even the most arduous and onerous tasks done . A personal problem you thought would be a bed of nails and nothing but a whole heap of hassles and troubles will actually be your big chance to show off your brilliant brain , sensitive nature and warm hearted generosity .
Idiom: gather dust (used idiomatically: yes)
Many courses require that some kind of placement project is undertaken by the student . A caricature of this exercise is that the tutor and student agree on a suitable project at a school which has been selected on the basis of its willingness to be disturbed by the student . When the project is completed copies of the project report , written up and assessed , gather dust , one on the tutor 's shelf another on the student 's . Whenever this happens it is a sad waste of the stimulus which projects can engender . The alternative approach is for the project to be more explicitly a contract between the LEA or schools concerned , the higher education institution and the student .
Idiom: bear fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ It is quite clear that opposition 's spending plans will lead to higher inflation . John Major is the only leader committed to striving for zero inflation . ‘ The radical changes in the health service — long overdue — are bearing fruit . Locally the signs are clear . The new hospital and surgery in Petersfield , the health centre in Bordon and the closing of old , out - dated institutions have brought vast improvement to our people .
Idiom: have words (used idiomatically: no)
30.0 She is understood to have a nine - year - old daughter and worked with her sister at Neill 's newsagent shop in the Co Antrim village . Manageress Angela had been employed at the shop for 20 years while Patricia worked there three mornings a week . Owner David Neill said : ' The whole community is shocked and I have no words to describe what has happened . ' Angela worked in the shop before she left school , delivering papers and when she left school she joined us fulltime . ' She was a lovely wee girl and never missed a day .
Idiom: true to form (used idiomatically: yes)
— NAPOLEON I ON reporting to Chantilly on the morning of February 25th , Pétain and Serrigny found that ‘ the panic was at its peak’ The fall of Verdun was expected momentarily , ‘ and everybody was saying that General Herr should be shot’Somehow it leaked out that Pétain had come from Paris , not Noailles , and the word was quickly passed round by those veterans of intrigue that he had first been to see the Minister of War , Galliéni , the implacable foe of G.Q.G. Doubtless the rumour helped augment the alarm in the air . Only Joffre himself , true to form , seemed unaffected by it all . Greeting him with the words ‘ Eh bien ! Pétain , you know that things really are n't bad at all,’ he gave a laconic resume of the situation , then sent the new Commander on his way , remarking cryptically , ‘ Now you are easy in your mind.’
Idiom: turn someone's head (used idiomatically: yes)
; What do you mean trapped ? What the hell arc you involved Urquhart turned his head away . She realised she was gripping the gun with two hands and had trained it on his chest , as if she expected him to leap up at any moment and lunge at her . She slipped the safety catch into place and deposited the gun on the coffee table beside her .
Idiom: neither here nor there (used idiomatically: yes)
The books were all behind glass . A low table carried some tidily arranged journals and newspapers ; letters on the desk top were pinned down by a silver paper knife . She felt again the presence of the wife , looking kindly and securely at her from the photograph ; do n't resent me , said Helen , I am really neither here nor there , I very much doubt if I signify , you need n't mind . Giles returned . There was a bottle of brandy on the tray as well as the coffee .
Idiom: in the long run (used idiomatically: no)
‘ We want to play with what we 've got , ’ said Chic Stedman who has been restored to the club captaincy . ‘ There is a big opportunity for our young players to play regularly in the first eleven . In the past it has been difficult for them to have long runs in the team . ’ After a long slog in the 1980s to reach the top flight of the Championship , last season 's relegation was nothing short of disastrous for the club and Stedman feels that it is an indictment of Farnham that promising young players in the area , whom the town club would hope to recruit , are instead going to Guildford , attracted by division one status . ‘ It is still a very good standard in division two and I would hope that some come here , ’ he said .
Idiom: take the piss (used idiomatically: yes)
I do now remember the thing with Regis . If I remember rightly West Brom should have thrashed Stoke really ( based on their current form ) . What made this worse was that we ( there were a few of us Leeds fans in my school ) we friends with a west brom fan , and had been taking the piss all year … hadnt they recently gone up to div 1 ? Surely you re forgetting Peter Barnes;- ) ) ) Or Kevin Hird ( aaarrghhhh ! ) And they wonder why Leeds had a persecution complex .
Idiom: pick someone's brain (used idiomatically: yes)
A very odd case has come to my department — we always seem to get the odd ones — concerning the disappearance of the managing director of a shipping company . He 's a man called Andrew Stavanger , and his office is in Upper Thames Street — the very building , in fact , where the office cleaner who , I understand , discovered the body in your case worked . Now I do n't see that there 's likely to be any connection , but since we 're up against a brick wall in the Stavanger case , I 've come to pick your brains . " " Stavanger 's not on the list of any missing persons that 's come to me . " " He would n't be , because he 's not officially missing .
Idiom: off and on (used idiomatically: yes)
It gives you a level of control over the configuration that is cleaner and quicker than anything DR - DOS offers in its question and answer CONFIG.SYS functionality . You will also want to decide what kind of re - boot Easy Boot will perform . There are two types of warm boot ( the same as pressing CONTROL , ALT and DEL ) , a cold boot ( like switching off and on again , or pressing the RESET button ) and a reload , which is the quickest of the lot . This last option just clears out the PC and re - loads CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT . The downside is that some memory managers might not take kindly to the reload option , but if you try it and can get away with it , it 's the one to opt for .
Idiom: never say die (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ Bernie Slaven , who was sat next to me , thought Rippers would have a go when he started his run . ‘ Ripley was easily the outstanding player . He showed his speed , strength , and never - say - die attitude . ‘ He always looked stronger than the players around him . He also got a bit of bend on the ball for a magnificent strike.’
Idiom: face to face (used idiomatically: yes)
If people look forward to a meeting because of the atmosphere which you help create it will add to your personal influence . Although it is easy to dismiss meetings as time wasters , the above indicates why you should take them seriously . In many organizations where communications in various directions are poor and managers are feeling powerless to influence events , the single most sensible action by senior staff can be to promote more face - to - face meetings . PURPOSE The meetings which you attend reflect varying purposes but the main ones are to :
Idiom: over the counter (used idiomatically: yes)
Although shareholders in Hilton Mining afterwards contemplated legal action because the prospectus had not revealed that Allan Hilton , the chairman , had been a director of Hilton ( Products ) which went into voluntary liquidation , their real grievance was against Harvard 's selling techniques . After the Towerbell Records fiasco , Tom Wilmot said : " The OTC market is very very risky , as demonstrated by Towerbell . Of every ten new over - the - counter companies , at least two go bust " It is the client who bears the brunt of this risk . One punter refers to a typically fateful day : 1 August 1988 - " … the day I returned from a holiday abroad , Harvard telephoned me out of the blue ( 8th April 1986 ) , and a chap who sounded like an enthusiastic young cockney told me how wonderful Towerbell was and that it was going places with top stars in tow ! "
Idiom: tie the knot (used idiomatically: no)
He simply went through his nose there 's me wah it come out like a bullet innit ? wisht like that . And this , this one was hanging nasty and they and they just get it off innit and tie a little knot . Cos I hate it when you see someone being sick . They go .
Idiom: on the house (used idiomatically: no)
A four - bedroomed house in Harrow , West was charged £ 1,137 in rates . The council tax would have been £ 588 , a reduction for his constituents of £ 549 . My hon . Friend the Member for Rochford ( Dr. Clark ) , whose rates bill on a four - bedroomed house was £ 1,280 , would have received a council tax bill of £ 510 — a reduction of £ 770 . Mr. Gould The Minister is giving extremely persuasive and interesting figures .
Idiom: put two and two together (used idiomatically: no)
I make an encouraging grunt , to help him get involved in the story . ' There again , ' I say , ' maybe they are not from Brighton at all . Maybe I put the wrong two and two together . Maybe they 're from the London end . ' ' Why would that be ? '
Idiom: out of pocket (used idiomatically: yes)
Berger commanded . Devlin fired through the table top , chipping the wall beside the door . Eggar tried to get the pistol out of his pocket . The Walther Devlin had been holding on his knee appeared above the table now and he fired again , shooting Eggar through the right hand . The police attaché cried out , falling against the wall and one of the gypsies grabbed for his gun as he dropped it .
Idiom: born and bred (used idiomatically: yes)
They might believe in the sea as the source of Britain 's greatness ; they might share in the romance of the Navigators and of great naval victories and learn the benefits of seabathing and relaxation by the ocean . But very few had ever been to sea or had any desire to do so or had anything in common with seamen . Most sailors came from the coast or from coastal villages ; many were members of families which like those of Henry Woodruffe , Thomas Hodson , J.B.Butcher and other early union leaders , were born and bred to the sea itself . Voyages took the seaman from port to port where his life was led in the streets , alleys and boarding houses of yet other seagoing communities , a ready prey to disease and vice of all kinds . Conditions at sea were well known to be squalid and comfortless , wages beggarly , food too often no more than salt beef and weevilly biscuit , while officers were often no more than petty tyrants .
Idiom: fly off the handle (used idiomatically: yes)
I know she is . Cos she 's talked to me about it . I mean there 's been a couple of times that he 's really lost his temper with her and erm and , and really flown off the handle , badly . And I reckon that he 's the sort of person who would turn into someone that would hit someo hit his his woman , because he takes her for granted enough as it is , and that , I reckon that 's how wife battering starts because the husband starts taking the woman for granted so much Mm .
Idiom: green light (used idiomatically: yes)
Some of the local Red Cross employees had taken refuge in the office , unable even to step out into the street . By August , we had managed to get approval from all concerned to help evacuate these men and their families to safety in their own clan areas . We had guarantees , from the local military authorities , who provided heavily armed escorts , a Hercules plane , and even gave the green light to our closer local advisers . Early on the morning of the evacuation the families were preparing to embark when , in full sight of the military escort , gunmen surrounded the plane , forced the 11 men into a truck at gunpoint , and drove them off into the bush . In most conflicts around the world , the Red Cross Flag confers some degree of protection on those in care of the organisation , but clearly not now in Somalia .
Idiom: cock a snook (used idiomatically: yes)
Actors played the parts of the giants of Romania 's chequered history , like Stephen the Great , and gave a kind of historical blessing to the new General - Secretary . It was a sign that Ceauşescu intended to go much further than Dej in rehabilitating the Romanian past and distancing the Communist regime from the original Soviet model , at least so far as public presentation went . In his early years , Ceauşescu liked to cock a snook at Brezhnev by making visits to the districts bordering the territories Romania lost to the Soviet Union in 1940 . Once in the Southern Bukovina , a beautiful hilly land , he raised his glass to toast ‘ the Bukovina’ , implying Romania 's right to the whole territory including the northern half now inside the Soviet Union . Such gestures appealed to many Romanians , as they did to Western observers anxious to see Ceauşescu as a ‘ patriot’ and reformer .
Idiom: under fire (used idiomatically: no)
When death came from the long - range German counter battery guns , it came with frightening suddenness . A gunner sipping his soup astraddle his cannon , a group of NCOs playing cards would be expunged by an unheralded salvo . In action , the field artillery particularly had even less cover than the infantry ; often reduced still further by officers of the old school of that notably proud French arm , ‘ La Reine des Batailles’ , who believed ( and there were still many like them ) that to take cover under fire was almost cowardice . Casualties among some batteries were in fact often at least as high as among the infantry . Captain Humbert , a St. Cyrien of the 97th Infantry Regiment , testifies to the effect of the German artillery 's systematic sweeping of the back areas , knowing that the French field batteries must all be there :
Idiom: carry the can (used idiomatically: yes)
She was not very tall or strong . She had big brown eyes like her father , and soft brown hair . She carried an oil can in one hand , and held the side of her long skirts with the other hand . She smiled at her father while they talked . At the top of the lighthouse Grace and her father came into a small room .