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!