Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: head for the hills (used idiomatically: yes)
There 's definitely money to be made by running an Outward Bound course . All you have to do is grow a beard and look rugged , take a bunch of gullible kids from good homes , make their parents pay through the nose to let them sleep in bunks and eat beans , and then pretend that mundane things are difficult or unusual . It was n't as if they were heading for the hills . After their terribly exciting bridge crossing , they hopped back over the shallows and headed back to their mini - van . I 'll bet he made them rope up to do the dishes .
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: no)
Thereafter , because he patently thought my laughter geometry chart was the first sign of incipient lunacy , I would play the lines , then turn upstage and make a huge gesture demonstrating the sausage shape of the laugh , which never failed to roll him up . Similarly , one of his best laughs came when , explaining about Bill Blezzard 's eccentric act at the piano , Denis lay under the piano and played — hands crossed —‘How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?’ One night , at home in the beach house he and Astrid , their son Alexander and I were sharing , Den had a few Scotches sitting around the piano and revealed a talent for playing ‘ Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’ with his nose . In it went . Well , why not — he was sticking his nose in everywhere else .
Idiom: leave someone in the lurch (used idiomatically: yes)
Fed - up Chelsea call time on Lurch BRIAN MADLEY DAVE BEASANT was left in the lurch by Chelsea last night . His Stamford Bridge career is in ruins . Manager Ian Porterfield is to buy a replacement after Beasant had another nightmare match in the 3–2 home defeat by Norwich .
Idiom: steer clear of (used idiomatically: yes)
Michael Haines 's Introduction to farming systems ( Longman , pp 214 , £ 6.95 ) provides a less partisan entry to the techniques of contemporary agriculture and the economic climate within which it operates . Michael Haines has produced a nontechnical guide to the natural , economic and social factors which shape the modern industry . But he has not steered clear of farming 's controversial issues . Instead he has conducted a balanced exploration of such topics as organic systems , factory farming and the impact of agriculture on wildlife . The book will appeal to the growing number of professionals and students whose work brings them into contact with farming .
Idiom: rock the boat (used idiomatically: yes)
As any retinue would be under the command of the prince 's governor , earl Rivers , a large force might tilt the balance of power too far in the Woodvilles ' favour . Demands for a modest retinue were led by Hastings , who , as the Crowland chronicler makes clear , feared for his own position if the queen 's family were allowed to dominate the government . But he had the backing of what the chronicler calls the ' more foresighted ' part of the council , and this tacit approval suggests that the argument was not simply that of an ' anti - Woodville'faction , but represented a genuine attempt to avoid rocking the political boat — an attitude in line with what is known of council policy . In the short term , the squabble was resolved , although the seriousness of the issue is indicated by Hastings ' threat to withdraw to Calais , where he was captain , if his demands were not met . According to the Crowland chronicler , the settlement was the result of an initiative by the queen and there is no reason to doubt this .
Idiom: have an eye for (used idiomatically: yes)
At other times , William Joyce referred more vaguely to his father as being of independent means . Despite this allusion to financial gentility , the truth was that Michael Joyce 's income derived from rented property , and from being general manager of the horse trams in Galway . As a former building contractor , he had an eye for a sound investment in bricks and mortar . One by one the modest properties of which he was landlord in County Mayo and Galway began to show a satisfactory return . During 1917 , while visiting England to prove a family will , Michael and Gertrude were required to register under the Aliens Restriction Order .
Idiom: point the finger (used idiomatically: no)
Burton was living off the land and he loved it . An almighty cloudburst of possibilities had cascaded over his head and he loved that too . Emlyn Williams might have pointed his finger to Art , to the Theatre , to Magic and Burton had time for all three : but later . What hit him most was what hit him first . What a life , what fun , what pickings were there here !
Idiom: in black and white (used idiomatically: no)
And it seems to me that China was just doing the same as St Stalin did . In , in fact Mao himself said it I 've got it here in , in , in black and white , Mao said what we are after is the abolition of feudal ties , to get rid of feudalism . Not , not getting rid of capitalism , get rid of feudalism . Yes .
Idiom: against the grain (used idiomatically: yes)
For many , the first reggae album they bought was 1974 's ‘ Natty Dread’ . Now denuded of Tosh & Bunny Wailer , Marley was supported by the experienced but deliberately chanty female trio the I - Threes . Containing the first studio cut of ‘ No Woman No Cry’ , versions of early Jamaicans singles ‘ Belly Full’ , ‘ Bend Down Low’ , ‘ Natty Dread’ and ‘ Lively Up Yourself’ , this is , superficially , a simple set of songs that went against the grain of the mesmeric dub that was then dominating reggae . But the arrangements are becoming a little more fulsome , drum machines ( the innovation of bass players Family Man Barrett ) appear on two tracks , and the band are getting more writing credits . A revolution was brewing .
Idiom: put up or shut up (used idiomatically: yes)
One could well direct that question to the Labour party . Will the Labour party nationalise , subsidise and force British Steel to keep the plant open ? The Labour party should put up or shut up . Mr. Andrew Mitchell Is my hon . Friend aware that British Steel 's productivity woud be fatally crippled by Labour 's absurd proposal to ban coal imports ?
Idiom: dog eat dog (used idiomatically: yes)
You can never have the final word . Nobody is in charge.’ Long - term partnerships and alliances are emphasised replacing the calculative ‘ dog eat dog’ model . Shrewd behaviour is still encouraged but adversarialism loses out to co - operation . In this intuitive workplace , values and beliefs begin to dominate rules .
Idiom: have a few (used idiomatically: yes)
He was in the middle of more grief than he could deal with , yet he was piling onto it the commonplace misery of subterfuge , as if he had to protect some clandestine happiness that did n't even exist . To shake off the mood of secrecy , he took her out . The balance of power must have shifted between them , because he had a few glittering moments of objectivity about her as well as the old nuzzling gratitude of some broken - kneed dray horse . For once , too , she seemed to want him to order , and to pay the bill . ‘ Here 's to your play,’ she said when they had decided to have another brandy .
Idiom: take root (used idiomatically: yes)
’s Crony Capitalism Buenos ~ Aires – For 20 years , Americans have denounced the “ crony capitalism ” of Third ~ World countries , especially in Asia . But , just as those regions have been improving their public and corporate governance – Hong ~ Kong just witnessed a breakthrough court decision against a telecom tycoon who is the son of the province ’s richest and most powerful man – crony capitalism is taking root in the United ~ States , a country that the world long considered the gold standard of a level playing field in business . The recently completed “ stress tests ” of US banks are but the latest indication that crony capitalists have now captured Washington , DC . It is no surprise that stock ~ markets liked the results of the stress tests that US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner administered to America ’s big banks , for the general outcome had been leaked weeks before .
Idiom: break new ground (used idiomatically: yes)
H.T.s and Floribundas are glorious , but there is such a thing as too much sameness , as the saying goes : ‘ having too much of a good thing’ . Planting one rose or a hundred makes no difference — you have to think about it if you value your garden . Replacing a loss is straightforward enough , but a new planting , a new feature or breaking new ground in a collection all need even more careful planning . This is why we have discussed the many different types first , and thus have some idea of all the possibilities available to us . Relatively few amateur gardeners will be in a position to plan an entirely new garden of any serious size , so it would be rather academic to the majority of readers to go too much into siting and orientation of north , south or other aspects .
Idiom: jump to conclusions (used idiomatically: yes)
So yourself and O'Gorman have been up to something ? You do n't expect me to be surprised , do you?’ ‘ I knew you 'd jump to conclusions,’ Kitty said . ‘ Do you want me to tell you or not ? ‘ Better you than Father Condon , I suppose,’ Frank said , staring at the blankets .
Idiom: bear fruit (used idiomatically: yes)
the leaves plucked and drying . I know you know of it and have even assayed it in a pipe , as they did at court when Astraea ruled and she was inclined to taste it now and then . Companion of my heart , I trust in God that all we venture here bear fruit and I count on your prayers too , for the Lord must incline his will when such a one as you petitions him . We are settled on the southern shore , called Belmont for the amenity of the situation , within a stout stockade I am causing to be built . Though these measures are not due to necessity , as the people here are glad to be of service to us and treat us with courtesy in which not a little deference is admixed , for as I say they count many simple things great wonders : my fine paste shoe buckles ( the only part remaining after some native rats that are very large and like to be tame devoured the rest of the appurtenances ) inspired much clicking of teeth and clucking of tongues till I thought I should have to part with them .
Idiom: keep mum (used idiomatically: yes)
God help us when you do!’ But I have clammed up about L. Feel superstitious . Maybe if I keep mum and keep my fingers crossed — what did my father always say when I could n't have something : ‘ Them that ask do n't get , them that do n't ask , do n't want.’ He thought it was funny and who needs a Mary Poppins LP , a Beatles poster , a sequinned belt , anyway . Well , I did and did n't get and now I have all these things .
Idiom: hard cheese (used idiomatically: yes)
Leiden is very similar to Gouda and is generally sold in the same yellow paraffin wax coating . I call it curry cheese as it is very heavily flavoured with cumin seeds . Switzerland is famous for six cheeses , four of which belong to the semi - hard family , although they are sometimes referred to as hard cheeses . Emmenthal and Gruyère are the most famous , Emmenthal having the distinctive holes , a nutty flavour and drawing threads when heated , whereas Gruyère has a very few small holes , if any , and melts readily and evenly . Both cheeses are slightly unusual in as much as they are made with cooked curds that have been heated in the whey for about 30min before being drained .
Idiom: in no uncertain terms (used idiomatically: yes)
On the Wednesday morning , Peter 's father sought out Janice . He felt that the discipline was cruel and unnecessary . He said so in no uncertain terms . Peter 's father complained to the head teacher , who quite surprisingly immediately took the parent 's side . As it happens , Peter 's mother is a governor at the school , although this should have had nothing to do with the matter .
Idiom: on the stump (used idiomatically: yes)
On one he inscribed Michelet 's words : ' How can it be that there is in the world one woman alone — deserted ? ' He combined in it his two great themes of death and rebirth . The figure is Sien , painfully stripped naked , her bony shanks drawn up as she squats on a sawn - off dead tree stump . Her head is sunk on her arms , one wrinkled hand is visible , her black hair straggles down her knobbly back . The swollen belly tells of her condition .
Idiom: off the wall (used idiomatically: yes)
Porter wanted to know . ' SHUT UP . ' The voice boomed around the inside of the building , bouncing off the walls with its ferocity and power . All heads turned in one direction , peering upwards to find its source . ' Shut up and listen , ' the voice continued , and now the inmates could see where the thunderous exhortation came from .
Idiom: in cahoots (used idiomatically: yes)
And although I had disappointed her by going into ‘ trade’ , I was still the son of the house . As we sat drinking sherry together and I watched her acquire the jowled ovine features of all elderly English gentlewomen , I found it hard to summon up my old anger . I even found it difficult to believe that she had ever been in cahoots with Mr Broadhurst . She spoke of him occasionally , as if blithely unaware of any possible alter - egos that he might have . ‘ I had a card from Mr Broadhurst the other day,’ she bleated .
Idiom: on the cards (used idiomatically: yes)
TRAINERS have shunned the chance to take on the brilliant miler Zafonic at Royal Ascot next week . Just five horses stand their ground for the £ 145,000-added St James 's Palace Stakes , first day feature at the showpiece meeting . But one of those is the French - trained 2,000 Guineas winner 's likely pacemaker Wharf and another , Needle Gun , may be switched to the King Edward VII Stakes on the same card . The other two acceptors are Kingmambo , the only horse to have beaten Zafonic , and the John Dunlop - trained Ventiquattrofogli . Richard Hannon 's team is certainly in flying form for the Royal meeting .
Idiom: to say the least (used idiomatically: yes)
Jamila said nothing and Helen was eager to talk about Charlie , a subject on which she was obviously preparing for an advanced degree . Jamila was n't even contemptuous , as she abstractedly poured pints of bitter into herself . She 'd met Charlie a couple of times at our house and was n't thrilled by him , to say the least . ‘ Vanity , thy name is Charlie’ , was her conclusion . Charlie made no effort with her .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
The Chairman of National Heritage Memorial Fund gives his views on British government policy towards the art world On 7 May , the Central Hall of the National Gallery reopens , richly restored as a farewell present from its former Chairman of Trustees , Lord Rothschild . The notoriously media - shy financier has come into his own in the last ten years as one of the most successful behind - the - scenes advisors in the British art world . We asked him here about the Eighties and their aftermath . Lord Rothschild , when did you start getting involved in the art world ?
Idiom: fight tooth and nail (used idiomatically: yes)
( v)Third reading This is similar to the second reading , except that details have now been settled in committee and on report and the House is concerned again with the question of the whole Bill as now amended . Since most Bills will already have been settled upon by this time — all the battles will have been lost and won — there is normally less gist about the debate and it may be purely formal . Exceptionally , if a Bill is extremely controversial , the opposition may fight it tooth and nail even at this stage . There being , normally , little substance to the third - reading debate , the practice is now developing of merging the report and third - reading stages and treating them , in effect , as one . Once the Bill receives its third reading , the House has passed it and , for the time being at least , finished with it .
Idiom: down and out (used idiomatically: yes)
We were 1–0 to Brighton at home with around 15 mins left . Then Barnes decided to start playing and we won 2–1!. Unfortunately we lost our last game and other results went against us so we were down and out . Since moving to London in 1980 , I have been very much restricted to opportunities to see Leeds live due to the crowd problems and ensuing all - ticket matches , club cards , etc . However , I managed a League Cup match in 1990 ( QPR 3–0 after 20 mins — we murdered them ) , and the debacle at Watford in the same competition last year ( 1–2 ) .
Idiom: up in the air (used idiomatically: yes)
I mean it 's such a very small people is n't it ? Yeah yeah Why do n't they put all the leaders of all the countries up in the air Yes , yes I always used to think that , why ca n't , why ca n't they push Mrs Thatcher
Idiom: wear the trousers (used idiomatically: yes)
Does n't matter whether whether it 's a boy or a girl .. Why do n't you buy some trousers ? Then it does n't matter , girls can wear trousers ca n't they ? Yes . White trousers .
Idiom: go through the motions (used idiomatically: no)
' An interesting name … That sounds more Italian than English to me . ' ' My maternal grandfather was Italian , ' she surprised herself by replying , reaching for her refilled glass , extending it towards Rune and going once more through the motions he had taught her . ' Skål ! ' Look , drink , look again … this time it was easy because she had instigated the toast .
Idiom: see eye to eye (used idiomatically: yes)
His scores may not sound impressive but Clarke was obviously impressed by the Sheffielder 's effort against John Wisden , Hillyer and himself and asked him to join the ranks . He played only a few times for Clarke 's side before leaving to join the United All - England XI upon its formation in 1852 . Sampson and Clarke certainly did not see ' eye to eye ' and they had the utmost contempt for each other as cricketers . Clarke said of Sampson , ' Harry , could not bat at all , ' being what he termed a ' poter,'whilst Sampson retorted that ' Bill did n't know how to bowl,'and that ' a child could play him . ' In the early 1850s Sampson continued to contribute for Yorkshire and Sheffield .
Idiom: leave well alone (used idiomatically: yes)
Erm , clearly we are in a room full of people who have a more than marginal interest in the political process erm and that goes for your boundaries of Cambridge city councils er remit and clearly contains also to parliamentary methods erm I 'm trying not to be desperately partisan about this , I do n't expect anybody erm but a phrase has been used earlier this evening from another quarter about if it 's not broke do n't fix it , erm the boundary commission have looked at the boundaries of the Cambridge city constituency have found that it is up to ninety nine percent of the right and proper er number of electors . It has changed relatively . People have just about got used to the new structure and it seems to me that it would behove us all to leave well alone . I 'm feel that it is the remit of this council , or indeed other district councils to talk about the whole of the county of Cambridgeshire , particularly when they start mucking around with issues well outside their own geographical area . I can see that perhaps if they want to have a er they may feel they need to stray into other boundaries but I did feel that when I read what Huntingdon district council proposed which was if you like , to completely re - drawing the electoral map for the entire county I was n't actually looking at something that was designed to deal with the interests of the citizens of Huntingdon district council , I was looking at the straightforward political proposal which would be far better to come from a political party than from a district council .
Idiom: rare bird (used idiomatically: yes)
Greek islands " centre of illegal trade " The World Wide Fund for Nature has accused the Greek government of allowing a flourishing trade in endangered species , after investigators from the TRAFFIC wildlife monitoring agency found hundreds of shops on the tourist islands selling a variety of wildlife products . Among the objects discovered were coats made of jaguar and cheetah skin , sea turtle shells , ivory trinkets and stuffed rare birds . All are banned under the regulations of CITES ( the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species ) . Although Greece itself is not a CITES signatory , it is obliged to implement its decisions as a member of the EC .
Idiom: fly the flag (used idiomatically: no)
' Each state shall fix the conditions for the grant of its nationality to ships , for the registration of ships in its territory , and for the right to fly its flag . Ships have the nationality of the state whose flag they are entitled to fly . There must exist a genuine link between the state and the ship ; in particular , the state must effectively exercise its jurisdiction and control in administrative , technical and social matters over ships flying its flag . 17 . That provision was part of the international public order and applied to all ships which sailed on the seas .
Idiom: back to the drawing board (used idiomatically: yes)
Where the system falls down , of course , is when someone changes their mind about the typeface that 's going to be used or the number of columns per page . With an automatic system a few simple alterations to the style sheet and it 's all done for you . With the manual systems such as PageMaker , the leading exponent of this method , it is , quite literally , back to the drawing board . During the first two years of desktop publishing much argument has raged about which is the better system . Ventura has been criticised for taking away the exquisite and interactive control while PageMaker has been similarly slated for its tedious approach to standard formats and layouts .
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
Some further consequences of the government 's decision should be noted . The first is that however the decision is presented , one suspects that it represents a reversal of the previous commitment of the government to strengthening competition . A second consequence is that UK competition law will remain out of line with EC law . The EC Commission is , therefore , less likely to be willing to leave Article 86-type competition cases to the UK competition authorities , and disputes over jurisdiction are , therefore , more likely . Third , a soft UK policy on abuse of market power will make it more difficult for the UK to argue that the EC should strengthen its merger policy .
Idiom: blow someone's cover (used idiomatically: yes)
When he saw the blue uniforms of the New York police , did Buddeke show them some sort of identification or did he just leave ? To flash a badge was to risk someone in the crowd remembering his face and in the future , on another job , he could fingered as the stoolie he truly was . His cover would have been blown . On the other hand , by refraining from identifying himself he risked being bludgeoned or arrested . Photographs of Eleanor Marx survive but Buddeke 's image has vanished .
Idiom: as luck would have it (used idiomatically: yes)
His ideas are all he has to do it with . And the only way these can make a difference is if he shares them , tests them out , listens to other ideas and looks for ways to put them into practice . As luck would have it we 've chosen a bad day to join him . He 's had one of his rare vivid nightmares ; the sort that has him lying rigid in bed , blind eyes wide open , yelling ' No ! No !