Being Human, spick and span

Being Human, Series 04, Episode 04, A Spectre Calls


Kirby (to Annie): Oh, right, we'll get this place spick and span in no time. I
mean, the rest of the house is fab.

Spick and span: completely clean and tidy

The World at War, as well as

The World at War, Episode 4, Alone, May 1940 - May 1941

Narrator: to the relief of the authorities, Buckingham Palace was bombed as well as East London. Now it could be seen that King, Queen and people were all in it together.


as well as: in addition to something or something else

The World at War, In office

The World at War, Episode 4, Alone, May 1940 - May 1941


Narrator: Among the casualties of the raid on May 10th was the House of Commons. Exactly a year - a year of disappointment - the Commons had sustained Churchill in office, but the important battle had been won. Britain had survived. Now it was Russia's turn.


In office: while he was Prime Minister, in this case. An important job in Government.

Tony Blair, His Greatest Speech, a fully paid-up member

Blair's valedictory at the Labour Party conference in 2006 just as he steps down as British Prime Minister.

"... and they taught me that most of Politics isn't about politics in sense of meetings and resolutions, speeches and even parties sometimes. It starts with people, it's about friendship, and art, and culture and sport. It's actually about being a fully paid-up member of the human race before being a fully paid-up member of the Labour Party."

Valedictory: a speech or Statement in which you say goodbye
a fully paid-up member of a group: when someone strongly supports what that group likes or believes in

Sherlock , either way

Sherlock, Series 01, Episode 01, A Study in Pink


Jeff: It's pure genius. I know how people think. I know how people think I think. I can see it all like a map inside my head. Everyone's so stupid, even you. Or maybe God just loves me. 
Sherlock Holmes: Either way, you're wasted as a cabbie. 


either way: used to say that something will be the same whichever of two things happens or is true.


cabbie: a taxi driver (also cabby)

Sherlock, to be out of your depth

Sherlock, Series 01, Episode 01, A Study in Pink


Dr John Watson: Who are you? What do you do? 
Sherlock Holmes: What do you think? 
Dr John Watson: I'd say private detective... 
Sherlock Holmes: But? 
Dr John Watson: But the police don't consult private detectives. 
Sherlock Holmes: I'm a consulting detective. The only one in the world - I invented the job. 
Dr John Watson: What does that mean? 
Sherlock Holmes: It means when the police are out of their depth - which is always - they consult me. 


to be out of your depth: to be involved in a situation or activity which is difficult for you to understand or deal with

Dick Turpin, Two of a kind, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours

Dick Turpin, Series 02, Episode 03. The Blood Money

Dick Turpin: Look at them. Two of a kind.
Swiftnick: What do you mean?
Dick Turpin: Well, you scratch my back, Colonel de Coursey and I'll scratch yours.

(Two/three, etc of a kind = two/three, etc people or things that are very similar)
(You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours = used to say that you'll help someone if they agree to help you)