Gooogr/pie_idioms huggingface dataset:
Idiom: out of line (used idiomatically: yes)
You 've no call to go whingeing on about morals when you 're making up to Adam in this very office . Thinking yourself in love is no excuse . You 're out of line , lady , way out of line.’ ‘ I am doing nothing of the sort . What do you know of love , who are you to decide what I feel ?
Idiom: lay eyes on (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ You 're going to regret the day you ever laid eyes on Matthew,’ Sandra hissed . Charity ruefully watched her walking away . Somehow she doubted whether sharing with Sandra the fact that she already did regret the day she 'd first laid eyes on Matthew would be helpful to anyone . She wondered how much of this side of Sandra Matthew knew about , if any of it . She knew people with mental disorders could often be extremely clever at concealing them .
Idiom: on paper (used idiomatically: no)
There is little wrong with the tenor and even toughness of the Code but its weakness is that it is unrealistic when crucial choices have to be made by its members . Action by the Library Association on censorship The views of the Library Association on censorship are , on paper , sound , but what the News International ban demonstrated was that a simple reliance on policy statements and codes of professional conduct was not enough and never will be enough to confront library censorship . Some sort of specific and effective action is necessary . There are a number of different options , and each of these can probably be brought into play together , but broadly speaking they fall under two headings .
Idiom: fly the flag (used idiomatically: yes)
Yeah . she 's so Americanized you see ? But erm we have to fly the flag ! But as I say what do you feel as as students do you feel that you have the facilities here that could be improved on or or Well
Idiom: perish the thought (used idiomatically: yes)
A trap was made near the entrance , and after three months of patience , she was finally caught Janice covering the trap over to keep Poppy calm — before her trip to Stokenchurch Perish THE THOUGHT ! Maurice Dodd 's famous cartoon strip The Perishers just would n't have been the same without Boot MAURICE DODD
Idiom: by heart (used idiomatically: yes)
He kept up this humbling exercise , even in the days of effortless photocopying . There was no such professional method about Blackadder , who nevertheless noticed and corrected a plethora of errors , accompanying this correction with a steady series of disparaging comments on the declining standard of English education . In his day , he said , students were grounded in spelling and had learned poetry and the Bible by heart . An odd phrase , by heart , he would add , as though poems were stored in the bloodstream . ‘ Felt along the heart’ as Wordsworth said,’Blackadder said .
Idiom: crystal clear (used idiomatically: yes)
Under the pseudonym Matthew Bramble , Barber wrote as early as 1957 in all three journals extant at the time , eloquently pleading for ‘ one good chemical news journal to read once a week’;Chemistry in Britain was eventually launched in 1965 . Two leisure interests will be particularly recalled by Barber 's friends — playing hockey into his 60s and membership of the Savage Club during his last 26 years . Barber had an exceptional flair for expressing himself fluently in crystal clear prose . Perhaps above all he will be remembered by many as the friend who taught them the craft that is organic chemistry . Bill Wragg and Denys Coomber
Idiom: from scratch (used idiomatically: yes)
As I I love being a candidate , I love talking to voters , I like being active and doing things and that 's the reason basically that I want to be your Euro candidate , I 'm ready to be a candidate again . But also in the years since the Liberal Democrats ' inception , I 've been chairman of the Metropolitan Stockport Liberal Democrats . That 's the team of management that I , together with one or two others , built up from scratch at the beginning of the Liberal Democrats , and we now in Stockport have a highly successful erm m As I say , tier of management for training , for campaigning , for policy development in Stockport , and as you probably know we do have a good record of winning local council seats . We do do things well , generally speaking , in Stockport . And I 've been the leader of of that party for the last four and half years , I am ready to step down from that , and ready to take up this challenge , and I believe that those experiences , and what I 've done there , will stand me in good stead .
Idiom: follow suit (used idiomatically: yes)
Business as usual ? THE Tories ' reaction to the crisis threatening to engulf John Major was predictable . The Cabinet closed ranks behind him and a sizeable proportion of his back - benchers followed suit . Conservative MPs cheered when he entered the chamber of the Commons yesterday and cheered again when he borrowed a phrase from Harold Macmillan to dismiss Norman Lamont 's vitriolic attack on his governance as a ‘ little local difficulty.’ Macmillan used the comment to shrug off the resignations of Peter Thorneycroft , his Chancellor , Nigel Birch and Enoch Powell , over public spending .
Idiom: in the hole (used idiomatically: yes)
But what they really need is a proper test on a large crowd . Of course that 's not really practicable , unless —’ The caddie had put the flag back in the hole so that the second competitor could line up his putt on it . He took a very long time over it and in the end just lipped the hole . By the time he had tapped in John had lost the thread of his remark .
Idiom: strain every nerve (used idiomatically: yes)
She went to the ballot box touching her hat . In 1940 , for a brief moment , the democracy stopped touching its hat . Confronted by the imminent threat of Nazi invasion , and convinced that only by straining every nerve could Britain avoid the fate of France , millions of people came , perhaps for the first time , to perceive the nation not as something to which they were admitted by the grace of kings , but as their own authentic community . J. B. Priestley 's celebration of the ‘ little holiday steamers’ which ‘ snatched glory out of defeat’at Dunkirk gained him an enormous radio audience . He used it to attack paternalistic officialdom and to articulate demands for social progress : ‘ I 'd tell people to forget their old ordinary life because ultimately , anyhow , we 'll either have a better life than that , or bust.’
Idiom: on someone's mind (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ I am . I can sort things out for myself.’ ‘ So there is something , then,’ he returned , ‘ something that 's on your mind ? Is it the garden ? Are you worrying about that?’
Idiom: fight tooth and nail (used idiomatically: yes)
If people just sit and think about it , the National Health Service you know ? Security and Health that 's from the cradle to the grave , it 's a wonderful a wonderful thing . And Ni Bevan obviously felt that for he fought tooth and nail to get it through . Mind you must remember at the time when he was fighting to put it through , the bill through parliament , the whole B M A , British Medical Association were against him , to a man . They had the Socialists Medical Association well there 'd be they 'd be on the side of Bevan .
Idiom: buy time (used idiomatically: yes)
The EPRDF executive committee meeting on May 10 - 12 , however , dismissed the Cabinet changes as " cosmetic " . On May 15 the US - mediated peace talks which ( since May 9 ) had been scheduled to be held in London on May 20 , were postponed until one week later . On May 16 , as the government denounced the postponement as an attempt by rebel groups to " buy time to intensify the war " , the EPRDF launched a fresh offensive against the Ethiopian army in southern Wollo and northern Shoa regions , north - east of Addis Ababa . Heavy fighting also continued to the west of the city , where EPRDF forces recaptured the town of Ambo on May 18 [ see p. 38137 ] , and around Beylul in Eritrea . Departure of Mengistu
Idiom: in the bag (used idiomatically: yes)
They were so flabby . They believed so completely in the strength of their discipline and the spider net of submission that it secreted . The screws that they used in the workshop came in plastic bags a few inches square . Holly had picked a discarded one from the floor . The lathes were serviced with a light oil film , draped in it as if to give them an overcoat protection that would ensure their survival against age and wear .
Idiom: don't hold your breath (used idiomatically: yes)
They would make good sandrat material . Along with the majorette , whom she saw being helped away from the fire by the kids . ‘ You 'll be able to work on your tan tomorrow , surf sweetie,’ she shouted after the Daughter , ‘ but do n't hold your breath waiting for the tide to come in.’ She found an unburned six - by - three stars and stripes in the sand . She picked it up and draped it over Miss Liberty 's still - smoking remains .
Idiom: take stock (used idiomatically: yes)
This may involve sales of goods but also other arrangements such as manufacture under licence and technology transfer,’ he said . Mr Stewart was officially launching Europartenariat , which will take place on 13 and 14 December , with support from Bruce Millan , the European Commissioner . It was first announced 12 days ago by the Scottish Secretary , Ian Lang , as part of the Government 's ‘ taking stock’ exercise . It is predicted to be Scotland 's largest - ever European business meeting . Around 400 of Scotland 's best small to medium - size companies and 800 to 1,000 selected European firms will meet on a one - to - one basis at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre to discuss joint ventures , distribution agreements , technology transfers and other business partnerships .
Idiom: make a meal of (used idiomatically: yes)
16 year old Mark Cross and 17 year old Paul Eversham are being brought into the side to show off the talent Hereford has to offer for the future . You can see highlights of Oxford 's game in goals extra at teatime tomorrow . And make a meal of the soccer , with Swindon verses West Ham in the live match on Sunday . If football 's not your game … you can bank on a feast of other sports this holiday weekend . Voice over
Idiom: off and on (used idiomatically: yes)
Thus , a major paper on US military assistance to Southeast Asia to which Rusk gave his name early in 1951 was predicated on ‘ the imminence of a communist invasion of that area’ . On closer inspection there was quite a muddle between ‘ Chinese imperialism’ and ‘ Vietminh military operations’ , but it seems to have been an elementary mistake to base the assessment entirely on capability rather than intention , which the paper admitted , and was an extraordinary foundation for Rusk 's conclusion which was that : ‘ Above all , we can not afford to jeopardise the considerable measure of success our policy has already had in Indo - China by neglecting to provide the proper maintenance for our investment.’ Reports and assumptions such as this continued , off and on , throughout the year and reached a climax in December 1951 in a memorandum from the acting Assistant Secretary of State ( Allison ) to Acheson which reported that from various sources and for various reasons , not least the fact that some 200,000 Chinese communist troops in Kwangsi Province were prepared to move on Indo - China as ‘ volunteers’ , a large - scale attack against French Union and Vietnamese forces in Tonkin must be expected on or about 28 December . This was remarkably precise and remarkably misleading and seems once again to have been based essentially on Chinese communist capability . When de Lattre had visited Washington in September 1951 it was this theme , ‘ the ability of communist China to invade Indo - China and South - East Asia’ that the State Department had chosen to stress in their briefing for President Truman and their up - beat assessment of the General who had transformed ‘ an army beset with defeatism into a force which has since won every major engagement against the communist forces’ .
Idiom: come to terms with (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ We choose children who will fully appreciate this trip , which is why we do n't select those who are blind . ‘ Christopher is a special case because he lost his sight after he 'd been chosen.’ The holiday was particularly useful for children who are still coming to terms with their conditions and may have been robbed of their self - confidence . Eleven - year - old Michelle Redshaw from Yorkshire had n't been swimming since part of her small intestine was removed and she had an ileostomy bag fitted . But by the second day of the adventure , her escort was having trouble getting her out of the pool .
Idiom: behind the scenes (used idiomatically: yes)
The three - day clash grossed £ 5 million which mostly came from acres of private hospitality tents . Gate receipts brought in a further £ 750,000 and a similar figure was produced through merchandising . While behind - the - scenes the Americans were discussing remarks alleged to have been said by Gary Player . Reports had it he thought Ray Floyd had shot the US side in the foot by selecting Tom Watson as a " wild card " choice but the British crowds gave this five - time pen Champion the biggest cheer of any American . While the pre - match words were quickly lost in a breeze , even severe critics of the Belfry Golf Course , a converted stretch of farmland and duck - ponds , were impressed with the attractive presentation .
Idiom: have a ball (used idiomatically: no)
With just eight minutes remaining , Randall , 34 , curled over a cross which fooled Cobblers keeper Barry Richardson and dropped into the net . completely lost for the ball to drop gently into the net . ‘ I turned away because I did n't know where the ball had gone . It was only when I heard the crowd roar I knew it was in , ’ he said . Andy Saville hit a hat-trick for HARTLEPOOL as they beat SOUTHPORT 4-0 yesterday .
Idiom: shut the door on (used idiomatically: no)
Have a nice eternity . We retreat into Lil 's office : Lil , Nick , me . Lil shuts the door on the sounds of Gotterdammerung in the corridor , and unlocks her drinks cupboard . ‘ Might as well demolish this stuff ; I 'm not leaving it behind.’ ‘ You mean you 've got the boot along with the rest of us?’
Idiom: in tandem (used idiomatically: yes)
The idea of completing the connection between the Leicester and Northants . Union Canal was renewed almost immediately by the Grand Junction , and Foxton came back into the picture . Telford , though not sacked , disappeared from the project and Benjamin Bevan , one of the Grand Junction 's own engineers , at first nominally in tandem with Telford , became responsible for the later development . Bevan favoured Barnes 's route ; it was shorter , cheaper and , despite the lock climbs at each end , less complicated than Telford 's . A factor which evidently weighed with the committees and the ‘ General Assembly’ considering the line during the complex negotiations between the newly established ‘ Grand Union’(in which the Grand Junction and the Leicester and Northants .
Idiom: take to the hills (used idiomatically: yes)
Every hill - walker dreams of seeing a wildlife drama unfold in front of them as they peer over a crag , hoping that the next rise will reveal an osprey fighting off a wildcat which it returned to find attacking the nest , forcing the great bird to drop its intended dinner , a pine marten , which runs for its life , stopping only to catch and eat a grounded , flapping , pipistrelle bat . Unfortunately , a glance over the rise will usually reveal a fat sheep chewing vacantly at some grass . In fact the chances for viewing exciting wildlife are getting rarer every day , as hundreds more people take to the hills , bringing dogs and children and wearing colours that can be seen as far away as Belgium . Most hill - walkers ' wildlife experiences take place as they mow down interesting species caught in the glare of their XR2 's headlights on the way home from a hill . In fact the volume of traffic on Scotland 's mountains is making the sighting of anything more exotic than a slug increasingly difficult .
Idiom: make or break (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ If you feel inclined,’ it said non - committally , ‘ join me at the Station Hotel , Edinburgh on Friday , then I 'll show you the smugglers’den . Love C.’ He appended the time of the best train . This was make or break . Or maybe not . It 's so hard to separate emotions from facts .
Idiom: go for the jugular (used idiomatically: yes)
So complete was his total immersion in the subject that he actually began to believe that he had assisted Sanders in the plan 's preparation . His delusions were those of a messenger boy who assumes that because he takes the Chief Architect 's drawings to the print room , he has played a leading role in the design of the building . A few days before the European Planning Committee was due to meet , Mueller decided to go for the jugular . His suggestion that United Motors should progressively wind up its European , South American and Asian regional headquarters and plan , direct and control world operations from its home base in Detroit , had been well - received by most of the top brass who liked the big bold approach of running the world the way it used to be … from Detroit . They were under no illusions that they could do a better job from Detroit , but they had become increasingly concerned that they were getting out of touch with what was happening around the world , and that the tail was beginning to wag the dog .
Idiom: with a view to (used idiomatically: yes)
Sherwood aims to exploit the product 's existing UK and overseas customer base and has a further three clients , to be announced soon . The company says it has been able to generate high levels of repeat income from long term contracts in the financial services area and is keen to collaborate with other suppliers to expand its service and product range . For example , it is currently working with major client Scottish Provident , which accounts for 10 % of its turnover , to convert its ICL - based systems to IBM mainframes , with a view to further re - engineering for open systems . Sherwood 's housing and government divisions generated significant repeat revenues and a number of new sales , but performed below the company 's average . Local authorities in Norwich and Derby took the Threshold housing management system , Merseyside Improved Housing and Peabody Trust took the Household system for housing associations .
Idiom: keep body and soul together (used idiomatically: yes)
No matter what he got up to , Constance did n't want to see him damaged : it was the women she blamed , the tarts who ran after him . As far as she could remember , she had n't thought like this about anyone before . She had regarded men as men had been used to regard women : pleasant and pleasurable enough when they stayed in line but outside the mainstream of life and more or less irrelevant to its principal purpose , which was keeping body and soul together with as little effort and as much comfort as was practically consistent with this aim . Her upbringing had not encouraged a romantic view of life . She had lived among and watched too many other lives .
Idiom: up a tree (used idiomatically: no)
will provide enough fuel to keep a WWF forestry team Landrover going for a week . £ 50 will buy enough tools and seeds to set up a tree nursery . £ 100 4 gifts of £ 100 will pay for a WWF expert to go to Geneva to influence an international meeting discussing the fate of the rainforest .
Idiom: for Africa (used idiomatically: yes)
After eight months of dogged peacemaking , wholly unrewarded and largely unappreciated , the UN 's representative in Angola , Margaret Anstee , is said to want to give up . Her successor faces an unenviable task . Aid for Africa If you 're good ‘ DURING the long cold - war period,’ Warren Christopher , America 's secretary of state , said on May 20th , ‘ policies toward Africa were often determined not by how they affected Africa , but by what advantage they brought to Washington or Moscow.’
Idiom: put paid to (used idiomatically: yes)
Surely he could n't be trying to chat her up ? ‘ Certainly,’ she replied firmly . Then , putting paid to any ideas he might have , she added , ‘ On condition that that is how it remains : a friendly environment purely for working purposes.’ He stared at her , then inclined his head slightly in response . ‘ If that 's how you want it … ’
Idiom: make light of (used idiomatically: yes)
‘ My dear Constance , I am not suggesting that you should no longer visit me . I merely propose that the charade of music lessons be terminated.’ Trying to make light of it , she added , ‘ Why , even the birds think it a joke ! I shall write to your mother.’ The next few days were agony for Constance , as she waited for the letter to arrive .
Idiom: all the rage (used idiomatically: yes)
In Paris , at No . 6 Rue Huyghens , in a dingy , badly heated studio which belonged to a Swiss painter , Lejeune , modern art exhibitions , poetry readings and performances of new music were held in wartime . Paul Guillaume arranged the art exhibitions . Sometimes in a display of the new ‘ simultaneity’ that was all the rage , there would be a combined performance of art , poetry reading and music of high quality with a fashionable , well - dressed crowd mingling with the artists . Modigliani was among the painters who showed their work at the studio in the narrow street off Boulevard Montparnasse in 19 16 . Visitors to the studio could gain an impression of his work as a whole and grasp the cumulative effect .
Idiom: buy time (used idiomatically: yes)
This curious misuse of language means that if you book a spot at anything less than the top rate , some time in advance , the station can re - sell it , at a higher rate , to anyone who wants it , at any time before the cancellation date . I have heard several attempts to justify this method of doing business but none which succeeds in avoiding the suspicion that this is a highly opportunistic — though by now , after several years , established — version of having your cake and eating it . TV time is bought well in advance , and is subject to a standard cancellation date — of eight weeks — beyond which the advertiser and agency can not back out of the commitment to advertise ( though in practice an agency may , in an emergency , transfer the time to another client or a different brand ) . How a TV commercial is produced The script
Idiom: two a penny (used idiomatically: yes)
The challenge to increase membership has been imaginatively taken up by some groups . Bridget Ewing 's Bromley class , with money left over from their ball - buying funds , sponsored pupils from her Mentally Handicapped class at Belvedere to become members . Joan Gatfield 's Bromley and Grove Park classes achieved a new - membership total of over 100 by saving one - and two - penny pieces and sponsoring five senior citizens ' classes to join the Society . Boosting membership was the main idea behind the Banstead Rally in early December , organised and sponsored by Margaret Charlwood and Surrey teachers . Participants attended free , but had to have paid their Society membership ; they were rewarded with an enjoyable day of open classes , display items and cheese - and - wine refreshments .
Idiom: with a will (used idiomatically: yes)
I shall be the director but you will work in the way you 're used to and as you think fit . Do n't ask me questions because I ca n't tell you anything . It was that sort of genial incompetent who plagued the management of Ceauşescu 's industry , but what else were ill - trained bureaucrats to do when orders rained down on them which could not be obeyed even with the best will in the world . Ceauşescu himself knew the cynical and cringing apologetics of those managers who were caught out for gross failure to follow the plan . In 1988 , he complained , ' I must say that I have the impression that there is a certain mentality with some activists .