| Rob: | Hi! I'm Rob. And this is Helen! |
| Helen: | Hello. |
| Rob: | Now come on Helen, we've no time to waste. This jumble sale has nearly finished and we haven't got any bargains yet. |
| Helen: | Yes, all I've bought is an old teddy bear and a hat with a hole in it. A jumble sale is a great place to pick up some second-hand goods but make sure they are things you want! So what are you looking for Rob? |
| Rob: | Some antique pots and vases. Then I can sell it to someone else and I'll be quids in! |
| Helen: | What? Quids in? What a strange saying. |
| Rob: | It means I'll be in profit—or I will have made or saved some money through some kind of financial transaction. |
| Helen: | I like the sound of that. But did you say squids in—like the creature in the sea—a squid? |
| Rob: | No Helen, the word is quids—it's a slang word for pounds. A quid is £1. You might hear people talking about it like this: |
| I'm broke so can you lend me a quid to buy a cup of tea—please? |
| Come on ladies, who wants these lovely strawberries? Only two quid a box. |
| Rob: | So a quid is a pound and if I am quids in it means I will have made some extra pounds sterling. |
| Helen: | Ah! Why didn't you say? Quids in means you could be rich! |
| Rob: | Possibly. Let's hear some other people who are hoping to be quids in: |
| If we complete this deal, we'll be quids in! |
| With such a good exchange rate you'll be quids in when you go abroad on holiday. |
- I paid £50 for it but sold it for £60 so I'm quids in!
| Helen: | OK Rob, if we're going to be quids in today we need to get buying things. |
| Rob: | Did I say 'we'? Anyway, look at this old vase—it's only £10. I could clean it up and sell it for £20. |
| Helen: | Sounds fantastic. We really would be quids in then. Come on then let's buy it. |
| Rob: | Right OK, I've got my bargain for today, let's go home. |
| Helen: | Rob watch that step! |
| Rob: | Whoa! Oh no, my vase—it's broken. |
| Helen: | Oh! Do you think you'll be able to get £20 for it now? |
| Rob: | No, I won't even get a penny. |
| Helen: | Rob won't be making a profit on selling his old vase now it's broken. He'll be quids out! |
| Rob: | Sorry, what did you say? |
| Helen: | Is there such an expression as being quids out? |
| Rob: | No there isn't! But there is an expression about being out of pocket. |
| Helen: | Hmm, I think we'll leave that for another day. Come on Rob I'll buy you a drink to cheer you up. |
| Rob: | Thanks Helen. See you next time on The English We Speak. Bye. |
| Helen: | Bye! |
