Notes for Smithers & Boyle Investigate
1. It’s raining heavily = A lot of rain is falling
2. particular = individual
3. persistent = determined / stubborn
4. drenching = covering with water / soaking
5. whoever = whichever person / anybody
6. Inspector = a high ranking police officer
7. desk = work table
8. take away food = food bought from a restaurant but eaten outside the restaurant
9. agitated = distracted / uncomfortable / irritated
10. mood = humour (state of mind. e.g. happy, unhappy)
11. looking like a drowned rat (idiom) = looking very, very wet
12. soaked = very wet / full of water
13. running down = (phrasal verb) = flowing in a downward direction
14. to dampen P C Smithers’ spirit (idiom: to dampen someone’s spirit = to spoil their enthusiasm / to make them feel depressed) = to make P.C. Smithers feel unhappy or depressed
15. He hangs up (phrasal verb) his wet raincoat = He puts his wet raincoat on a coat hanger or a hook
16. customary = usual
17. optimistic = positive
18. greets the inspector good day = says hello to the inspector
19. A body = A corpse / the remains of a dead person or animal
20. A body has been found (passive form) = somebody has found a body (active form)
21. for heaven’s sake= for God’s sake / for pity’s sake (this is a way of expressing exasperation)
22. squad car = police car
23. Now have my squad car brought round (more formal) = Tell somebody to bring my squad car here
24. let’s get down to (phrasal verb) = let’s go to
25. the scene of the crime = the place where the crime occurred
26. what the hell’s going on (phrasal verb: to go on = to happen) (informal and quite aggressive) = what is happening
27. Right away = immediately
28. heads out (phrasal verb) to = goes in the direction of
29. at the wheel = driving / at the steering wheel
30. muttering = speaking inaudibly and in an irritated manner
31. cursing = swearing / using bad words
32. siren = claxon / flashing light that emits a warning sound (on a police car, fire engine or an ambulance)
33. brash = showy / over the top / flamboyant
34. distressed = unhappy / in pain
35. Get it fixed = Fix it or find someone who can fix it
36. as soon as = at the first moment that
37. get back (phrasal verb) = return
38. to instill fear in them = to make them feel frightened
39. Laurel and Hardy = comedians from American black and white films between 1920s to the 1950s
40. See to it = (phrasal verb) = Do it / Make sure it is done
41. patch = territory / piece of land
42. to put ourselves out of a job (idiom) = to leave ourselves with no work to do
43. this is a murder investigation not a tea party (sarcastically contrasting two very different things for effect) a tea party is a polite gathering to chat, drink tea and eat cake a murder investigation is something very different
44. now put your foot down (idiom) = accelerate / move faster
45. skid to a halt = come to a sudden stop (in a car)
46. with a screech of brakes = with a high pitched screaming sound coming from the brakes
47. derelict = empty / disused and in a bad state of repair
48. crumbling = disintegrating / falling apart (phrasal verb) slowly
49. warehouses = large buildings used for storing goods
50. courtyard = open paved area between buildings
51. cordoned off (phrasal verb) = separated by a police cordon / closed to the public
52. clues = indications as to who committed a crime
53. step aside (phrasal verb) = move out of the way
54. pulls back (phrasal verb) = takes off (phrasal verb)
55. to reveal = to expose / to show
56. what interest is that to me? = Why should that be important to me?
57. called out (phrasal verb) = asked to attend (to something) / asked to look (at something)
58. Enforcing = Implementing, sometimes with force
59. the rule of law = the law / the legal regulations
60. mean streets = (idiom) dangerous cruel streets
61. good honest citizens = good people of a country who do not break the law
62. I don’t think it’s just any old (idiom) dead dog = I don’t think it is a normal dead dog (there is something special about it)
63. flea-ridden = infested with fleas (fleas are small insects that live in the coats of animals)
64. pests = animals that cause problems for people (like rats, mice, cockroaches etc)
65. roaming the streets = wandering the streets with no purpose
66. diamond-encrusted = covered with diamonds
67. dog collar = collar (which goes round the neck of the dog and to which you attach its lead in order to keep it under control and stop it from running away(phrasal verb))
68. pedigree dogs = dogs of high quality breeding (mongrels are of mixed breed pedigree are of one breed)
69. a corgi = a type of dog (which is the favourite of the Queen)
70. head back (phrasal verb) towards = make the return journey to
71. rants = talks in a loud angry voice, complaining about things
72. observing = watching
73. going about (phrasal verb) = performing / doing / carrying out (phrasal verb)
74. legitimate business = legally permitted activities
75. suspicious characters = people who look as if they might commit crimes
76. Swindlers = people who cheat other people out of money
77. kidnappers = people who take other people against their will and then only free them if a ransom is paid
78. bank robbers = people who steal from banks
79. escaped convicts = prisoners who have escaped from jail
80. shoplifters = people who steal things from shops
81. muggers = people who steal things from people in the streets using violence or the threat of violence
82. murderers = people who kill other people deliberately and with intent
83. sheep rustlers = people who steal sheep
84. jail birds = people who have spent time in jail
85. thieves = people who rob and steal
86. layabouts (informal) = lazy people who don’t do any work
87. hooligans = badly behaved people who are violent and destructive (often connected with football)
88. long-haired weirdoes = strange people with long hair
89. short-haired weirdoes = strange people with short hair
90. non-payers of parking fines = people who have received parking tickets as a punishment for parking illegally but who have not paid the fines
91. If I had my own way I’d like to (talking hypothetically) = If it were my decision I would
92. lock them all up (phrasal verb) = put them all in jail
93. Put them all behind bars (idiom) = Put them all in jail
94. go back over (phrasal verb) the key facts of = look at all the facts and make an assessment of
95. the case = the criminal investigation (more formal)
96. suspect = person thought to have committed the crime
97. motive = reason (for committing a crime)
98. Where do we go from here? = What do we do now? / What is the next step?
99. the dog in question (very formal) = the dog that we are talking about
100. breed of dog = type of dog (e.g. poodle, greyhound etc.)
101. engraved with = marked by ( to engrave = to write on metal)
102. unicorn = an imaginary creature (represented as a white horse with a horn growing out of its head)
103. By God (used to express surprise or amazement) = Can you believe it?
104. coat of arms = official symbol of a family or a state etc
105. make enquiries = try to find out (phrasal verb)
106. Her Majesty = The Queen
107. run away (phrasal verb) = escaped / left without permission
108. residency = house (place where someone is staying)
109. the forensic team = police team that looks at the scientific evidence
110. every test in the book (idiom) = every possible test
111. directory enquiries = telephone service that finds people’s telephone numbers
112. the Queen’s servants = people who work in the Queen’s household
113. He was proceeding in an Easterly direction (very formal type of language often used by the police) = He was walking eastwards
114. at approximately (more formal) = at about
115. a blunt object = something that is not sharp (like a piece of wood or a baseball bat)
116. lost consciousness = passed out (phrasal verb) / blacked out (phrasal verb)
117. awoke = woke up (phrasal verb)
118. kidnapped = taken and held in order to extort money
119. a ransom demand = a demand for money that if given will secure the freedom of something or someone after they have been kidnapped
120. turned up (phrasal verb) = arrived
121. of all places = of all the possible places in the world
122. ask around (phrasal verb) = make enquiries
123. see if anyone has seen anything suspicious going on yesterday(phrasal verb) yesterday (here the actor makes a grammatical error, because yesterday is finished past time, so of course we do use the present perfect form ‘has seen’.) = see if anyone saw anything suspicious going on yesterday
124. Police crime files = the police records recording crimes that have been committed in the past
125. run across to (phrasal verb) to = go quickly to
126. gherkins = pickled cucumber
127. shrivelled = dried / shrunken
128. I can’t stand the damned things = I hate the horrible things
129. the news breaks = the news becomes public / everybody finds out (phrasal verb) about it
130. dognapped = kidnapped (but a dog has been taken rather than a person)
131. the headline = the main piece of news on the front of a newspaper
132. under the international spotlight = in the view of the whole world
133. journalists = people who write for newspapers
134. TV crews = people who make TV programs
135. chance = opportunity
136. to make history = to become famous
137. getting mixed up in (phrasal verb) = becoming involved in (phrasal verb)
138. nasty = unpleasant
139. Chief Inspector = highest ranking Police Officer in an area
140. some James Bond type = somebody who is like James Bond
141. It’s all over the front page = It’s on the front page of every the newspaper
142. you can’t miss it = It’s impossible not to see it
143. stays strictly between you and me = is only for you and me to know (don’t tell anybody else)
144. I’ll do the thinking = I will be the one who decides, you just do what I tell you to do
145. I was proceeding down = I was walking along
146. a gentle North easterly wind was blowing = a light wind coming from the North East
147. Get to the point = Stop talking about the unimportant things and go directly to the important information
148. a dustbin wagon = a vehicle that removes the rubbish from the street / trash car
149. Yes, go on (phrasal verb) = Please, continue (more formal)
150. dustbins = containers outside each house for storing rubbish
151. van = vehicle bigger than a car but smaller than a lorry that is used to carry goods
152. sped past (phrasal verb) = went past at high speed
153. caught his attention = attracted his interest
154. The van screeched to a halt = The van stopped quickly and a loud noise came from the tyres
155. traffic lights = lights at road junctions that control the flow of traffic
156. colliding with = crashing into
157. burst open (phrasal verb) = opened suddenly
158. run over (phrasal verb) by a car = was knocked down (phrasal verb) by a car / was hit by a car
159. got up (phrasal verb) = stood up (phrasal verb) / got to its feet
160. ran off (phrasal verb) = ran away (phrasal verb) / ran to another place
161. alleyway = passage / path (between two buildings)
162. hardware shop = shop that sells things like tools, nails and screws
163. limping = walking with difficulty due to the effects of an accident or a disability
164. losing a lot of blood = bleeding a lot
165. witness = person who saw a crime happen
166. barking = the noise that dogs make (bow wow wow etc.)
167. shot off (phrasal verb) = moved away (phrasal verb) at speed
168. registration number = the number on the number plate
169. I’m afraid he didn’t = I’m afraid he didn’t get the registration number
170. not in a very good state of repair Sir = not in good condition / not well looked after (phrasal verb)
171. covered in rust and dents = with a lot of rust (oxidization) and dents (indentations where it has been hit by something)
172. it’s a start = It’s a positive beginning
173. CCTV = closed circuit television (cameras in the street)
174. footage = recordings / film
175. picked up (phrasal verb) any images of = recorded any images of
176. fitting that description = of that description
177. is electric with excitement (more emphatic) = has a very excited atmosphere
178. the mystery of the missing Corgis deepens = the question of what has happened to the Corgis becomes more interesting
179. the press and the media = the newspapers, the radio and television
180. is the word on everyone’s lips = is the subject that everybody is talking about
181. much to the displeasure of = to the great annoyance of
182. to fill up (phrasal verb) with = to fill with / to go from empty to full
183. secret agents = people who work for the secret services / spies
184. Handsome = Attractive
185. thirty something = around the age of thirty
186. jaw = bone in the head that contains the lower set of teeth
187. licences to kill = permission to kill in order to protect the state (like James Bond)
188. chasing the ladies = trying to attract the girls / trying to become romantically involved with women
189. gadgets = technological innovations to carry out specific tasks
190. brain = large organ inside the head (used to think with!)
191. a magnifying glass = an instrument made from glass which you look through to make things look bigger
192. the mind of a genius = the brain of an exceptionally intelligent person
193. of our time = from this period in history
194. The Hound of the Baskervilles = A famous Sherlock Holmes story
195. the case = the investigation
196. fingerprints = marks left at the scene of a crime by peoples fingers that the police use to find criminals
197. sifting through (phrasal verb) = examining carefully
198. DNA samples = examples of a person’s genetic code (the police use this to identify criminals)
199. routine = everyday (something that happens or has to be done regularly)
200. paperwork = forms and documents that have to be completed or filed
201. the tedious side of = the boring part of
202. patience = the ability to wait or work on something for a long time for a long time without complaining
203. patience is a virtue (proverb) = being able to wait calmly for something is a positive quality
204. possesses in abundance = has a lot of
205. Johnny Fingers Harris = A criminal character who is a thief. In criminal slang names, ‘Fingers’ means ‘thief’ because thieves use their fingers to pick things up (phrasal verb)
206. released from prison = let out (phrasal verb) of jail
207. you can guarantee = you can be certain
208. he’s done his time (idiom) = he has finished his period in jail / he has finished his prison sentence
209. enterprise = aptitude for coming up with (phrasal verb) business ideas
210. He came to my attention = I noticed him
211. His first venture into the dirty world of crime = The first time he broke the law
212. a toffee apple = an apple on a stick covered with caramel
213. fair = town fair (when a group of people arrive in town and set up (phrasal verb) a fair with entertainments such as gambling machines fairground rides)
214. dinner money = money that parents give to their children to pay for their lunch at school
215. protection racket = a campaign or system that gangsters or groups, such as the Mafia, use to extort money (normally from local business people)
216. punch = hit with fist
217. until they did (using only the auxiliary) = until they gave him their dinner money
218. scar = wound (mark on the skin left after a cut has healed or got better)
219. Run-ins = fights / confrontations
220. he put on so much weight (phrasal verb: to put on weight = to get fat) = he got fat
221. he put on so much weight that he was able to throw around = he was able to use his weight as a weapon (idiom: to throw one’s weight around = to act in violent bullying manner)
222. to great effect = with such success / so effectively
223. dedicated his life to crime = became a professional criminal
224. to respect = to admire
225. single-mindedness = determined character / stubbornness
226. He’s a tough old boot (idiom) = He’s a hard man
227. prison cell = small room in a prison where a prisoner is kept
228. committing crime = breaking the law
229. Appalling = terrible
230. put it this way (idiom) = say it like this
231. tasteless slop = horrible, runny food that has no taste
232. serve up (phrasal verb) = provide / make
233. inmates = people who live in an institution (such as a prison or a mental hospital)
234. I see your point = I understand what you’re saying
235. involved with = connected with
236. you can bet Fingers Harris has something to do with (phrasal verb) it = You can be sure that Fingers Harris will be involved
237. to have a word with (idiom) = to talk to
238. doughnut = a sweet cake that is round and made of boiled dough covered in sugar
239. Hold on = (phrasal verb) = Wait a moment
240. a very tricky character = a difficult and unpredictable person
241. an extremely violent disposition = he very often behaves in a violent way / with a tendency to be very violent
242. to track down (phrasal verb) = to find / to search for (phrasal verb)
243. infernal = horrible / as if from hell
244. HQ = headquarters (the police station)
245. you test my patience = you can be very irritating
246. a very tasty looking red Thai curry = a Thai red curry that appears to be very delicious (Thai red curry = hot and spicy dish from Thailand)
247. to break up (phrasal verb) = to interrupt / to stop
248. They handcuff him = They restrain him using handcuffs (handcuffs are a pair of locking bracelets joined by a metal chain that the police use to restrain suspects)
249. drive him away (phrasal verb) = take him in the car to another place
250. proclaims = she announces loudly
251. innocence = absence of guilt
252. Sobbing = crying audibly
253. cop = police officer
254. the usual good cop/ bad cop routine = the usual interrogation technique where one police officer is very friendly and the other is very aggressive
255. gruelling = difficult / hard / painful
256. come to (phrasal verb) the same conclusion = think the same thing / reach the same conclusion
257. Fingers Harris has gone straight (phrasal verb) = Fingers Harris has become an honest person who doesn’t break the law
258. What is the world coming to? (phrasal verb) = How the world has changed
259. a one-man crime wave (idiom) = a man who committed a lot of crimes
260. the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (proverb) = the way to win the affection of a man is by giving him good food
261. law-abiding citizen! = person who does not break the law
262. I never thought I’d see the day = I never thought this would happen / I never thought I would live to see this moment!
263. conspiracy = a plan made by a group of people to do something bad or illegal
264. pay little attention to = ignore
265. regard as = see as / think of as
266. a minor irritation = something that is a little bit annoying
267. unhindered = without problems / without obstacles
268. instincts = natural reactions
269. a local job = a crime committed by people that live in the area
270. shady = shadowy / dark / dangerous
271. criminal underworld = world of crime that is hidden from the ordinary public
272. prepared for whatever the day has to throw at them = ready for the problems that the day will bring them
273. to ease a mild hangover = to lessen the effects of a light hangover (hangover = the unpleasant feeling that one feels in the morning after a night of heavy drinking)
274. chain smoking = continually smoking cigarettes
275. gulping down = drinking very quickly
276. un-breathable = too unpleasant to breath
277. to cut down (phrasal verb) on = to reduce (the amount that you do something)
278. giving up (phrasal verb) = stopping doing (a habit)
279. We’ve all got to go sometime, you know to that great police station in the sky and make our peace with the Chief Inspector = We will all die one day and go to meet our God in heaven
280. strictly forbidden = it is not allowed / very much against the rules
281. Shut up (phrasal verb – rude) = stop talking
282. We seem to have come to a bit of a dead end (idiom) = we’ve arrived at a point where we can go no further
283. leads = clues
284. put the word around (phrasal verb) = talk with people
285. see what’s cooking (idiom) = find out (phrasal verb) what’s happening
286. undercover = in disguise as an ordinary member of the public (an undercover police man = a plain clothes officer)
287. I’ve done more than my fair share of = I’ve done lots of / I have done enough of
288. plain clothes work = undercover police work
289. underhand = sly / dishonest
290. deceiving = cheating / lying to
291. hang out (phrasal verb) = socialize / spend leisure time / frequent
292. where they hatch out (phrasal verb) their sordid little plans = where they make their nasty plans (sordid = seedy / unpleasant / nasty)
293. dive = horrible, dirty place
294. make it quick = do it quickly
295. a disguise = something to make someone look like a different person (for example, a false moustache or a wig)
296. suitable for = correct for
297. an outfit = a costume
298. gives him the appearance of (more formal) = makes him look like
299. an awkward adolescent = a person between the age of 13 and 19 who is not comfortable with his or her appearance
300. ill-fitting = too big or too small / badly-fitting
301. peering = looking curiously
302. sticking his nose into every corner (idiom) = looking at everything
303. suspicious characters = people who look like they might do illegal things
304. mentioned = talked about / referred to (more formal)
305. Gang = group of people who engage in illegal activities
306. ruthless = vicious / heartless / cruel
307. bunch of individuals = collection of people
308. who will stop at nothing to get what they want = who will do anything to obtain the things that they want
309. things got too hot for them = life became too dangerous for them (probably because the local police knew of their criminal activities)
310. The word on the street is (idiom, slang) = People are saying that / It is believed by the people in the area
311. involved in = connected with / participating in
312. this is Smithers and Boyle territory = this is land that belongs to Smithers and Boyle / this is an area that is controlled by Smithers and Boyle
313. glad = happy
314. hangs up (phrasal verb) his coat = puts his coat on a coat hanger
315. stuffed with (more emphatic) = completely filled with
316. briefcase = small suitcase for carrying documents
317. report = the written summary
318. drug running = drug smuggling / drug trafficking
319. they’ve been seen around town = people have seen them in town
320. entertaining the ladies = showing off (phrasal verb) to the ladies and trying to impress them
321. They seem to have come into (phrasal verb) a large amount of money = They appear to have acquired a lot of money (more formal)
322. An informant = a person who provides information about criminals (to the Police)
323. lock-up garage = small garage (often used for storage)
324. industrial estate = estate or park which contains small factories and warehouses
325. Let’s get down (phrasal verb) there = Let’s go there now
326. to give up (phrasal verb) = to stop (doing something)
327. spots something of interest = sees something that attracts his attention
328. scrap yard = a place where people take old cars or old metal so they can be broken up (phrasal verb) and used for scrap metal
329. barbed wire fence = wire fence with sharp twists of wire that look like thorns along its length
330. skeletons = inner structures (bones of dead bodies)
331. rusty = oxidized / decayed (metal)
332. battered = damaged (in bad condition)
333. Ford Transit van = light goods vehicle manufactured by Ford
334. gate = door in a fence
335. A vicious-looking dog = A dog that appears to be very aggressive
336. tied to = attached by rope or chain to
337. Rough-looking men = men who look aggressive and dangerous
338. hut = temporary shelter (often used by workers)
339. the Old Bill (slang)= the police
340. copper = police man or woman (slang)
341. What’s it got to do with (phrasal verb) you? = Mind your own business (idiom)
342. Take that = (this is something is often used in comics and comedy and is said just before someone is punched or hit)
343. speed out of = leave at high speed (in a vehicle)
344. After them = follow them / chase them
345. car chase = two or more cars following each other at high speed
346. with no regard to the other road users = not caring about the safety of the other people that are using the roads
347. knocking down (phrasal verb) = running over (phrasal verb) (hitting a person with a moving vehicle)
348. a pedestrian crossing = an area where people on foot can cross the road
349. a fruit and veg stall = outdoor shop selling fruit and vegetables (at a market for example)
350. car skids = car slides across the road as the tyres lose grip of the road
351. its brakes squeal = its brakes make a high pitched screaming sound
352. gears = speeds (you ascend through the gears as a car travels faster)
353. still on their tail = still behind them / still following them
354. they just can’t shake them off (phrasal verb) = they can’t lose them / they can’t get away (phrasal verb) from them
355. head quarters = police station (where operations are directed from)
356. back up (phrasal noun) = help / assistance
357. Come in (phrasal verb) HQ! = Speak to me HQ (this is the language that radio operators use in the police and military)
358. Do you read me? = Can you hear me? (this is the language that radio operators use in the police and military.)
359. Over (this is the language that radio operators use in the police and military when passing the conversation over to the other radio operator.)= I have finished, now you can speak!
360. pursuing = chasing / following
361. they are armed and dangerous = they possess weapons and are prepared to use them
362. Over and out = I’ve nothing more to report (in the language of radio communications)
363. overturning their car = turning their car upside down (phrasal verb)
364. Boyle knows the streets of Oldtown like the back of his hand (idiom) = Boyle knows the streets of Oldtown very well
365. a dead-end street (idiom) = a street that has no exit at one end
366. slams on the brakes = puts the brakes on suddenly (in order to stop the car)
367. the car spins off the road = the driver loses control and the car leaves the road
368. a billowing cloud of steam = a large cloud of steam that is moving up into the air
369. wail = scream
370. just in the nick of time (informal) = at exactly the right time
371. apprehends = arrests
372. ruffians = rough, dangerous, scruffy people
373. the bonnet = the hatch or door that covers the engine (at the front of the car)
374. Boyle wrestles another to the ground = Boyle struggles with another and pulls him on to the ground
375. catchphrase = phrase (that someone uses and becomes known for using)
376. you’re nicked (slang / very informal) = you are under arrest
377. The criminals are handcuffed = The criminals are restrained using metal bracelets that lock around their wrists and can only be undone with a key
378. shoved into = pushed roughly into
379. coming out with the kind obscenities = swearing and using bad language
380. expletives and swear words = foul language
381. turning the air blue (idiom) = when a lot of bad language is used we say ‘the air turned blue’
382. handing out (phrasal verb) = distributing
383. summary justice = justice that is not issued in court and therefore is not legal
384. in revenge for = to get even for
385. the blow on the head = the bang on the head
386. slams the police van doors shut = shuts the police van doors aggressively and noisily
387. the van pulls away (phrasal verb) = the van starts moving and is driven away (phrasal verb)
388. flashing = turning on and off (light) (phrasal verb)
389. interrogate = question in order to obtain information
390. lhe whereabouts of = the exact location of
391. Let them sweat = Let them worry about what is going to happen
392. soften them up (phrasal verb) = make them uncomfortable (so they will be easier to interrogate)
393. to make sure they don’t sleep too soundly = to ensure that they don’t get a good night’s sleep
394. Fancy a drink…? (informal and friendly) = Do you want to go for a drink…?
395. Grab your coat = Get your coat quickly
396. The night’s young (phrasal verb), let’s hit the town (phrasal verb) = It’s still early, let’s go and have some fun
397. turn up (phrasal verb) their collars against the wind = raise their collars of their coats to protect them from the wind
398. at a very brisk pace = very quickly
399. stale = rank / not fresh
400. country and western = American style music (sometimes associated with cowboys)
401. play to an audience of one man and a dog (idiom) = play to very few people
402. hard stare out of the corner of his eye = piercing sideways look
403. infringement of the law (more formal: type of language often used by the police and the legal profession) = crime
404. he’s dying for (idiom) a whisky = he really wants a whisky
405. pub landlord = manager or owner of the pub
406. grumpy = unpleasant and unfriendly
407. high blood pressure = cardio vascular problems (often as a result of stress or a bad diet)
408. beetroot = type of red root vegetable
409. a pint of bitter = a pint of typical British beer
410. a whisky chaser = a whiskey to be drunk with a pint of beer
411. crisps = potato fries
412. lager shandy = mixture of lager beer and lemonade
413. As the case is going well = As the case is progressing satisfactorily
414. Boyle is in a lighter mood than normal = Boyle is in a better mood than normal
415. chat = lighthearted and leisurely conversation
416. looking forward to (phrasal verb) our holidays = excited about our holidays
417. Bognor = seaside resort on the South Coast of England
418. invigorating = stimulating / beneficial to health
419. She says that if she had all the money in the world, she’d still spend her holidays in Bognor = she says Bognor is the place where she would always prefer to pass her vacations no matter how much money she had
420. adventurous = interesting / exciting / slightly dangerous
421. ride across the Sahara = cross the Sahara desert (on the back of an animal or on a vehicle)
422. a camel = a animal with a hump (the animal is able to store water in its hump so it is very useful to people who live in deserts)
423. trek through the jungles of Vietnam = walk through the jungles of Vietnam (‘to trek’ means ‘to walk through difficult terrain’)
424. sharks = fish with large teeth that sometimes eat people (‘Jaws’ from the Hollywood film of the same name being the most famous example!)
425. Mrs Smithers doesn’t care for (phrasal verb) sharks = Mrs Smithers doesn’t like sharks
426. a metaphor = an expression which describes a person or object in a literary way by referring to something that is thought to have similar characteristics to the person or object that is being described
427. grabbing life with both hands and giving it a good old shake (idiom) = doing something completely new or different
428. Taking a chance = Taking a risk
429. We’re contented with life just as it is = We’re happy with life the way that it is at the moment
430. I envy you = I feel jealous of you / I would like to be in your position
431. neat = tidy / well organised
432. domestic bliss (idiom) = the perfect home life
433. divorce = legal termination of marriage
434. a poky little rented flat = a small and unpleasant flat that is rented from someone else
435. a fish and chip shop = a shop which sells the typical British dish of fried fish and chips (these shops fry the fish and chips on location so if you lived above one you would get tired of the smell. Poor old Boyle!)
436. how the mighty have fallen (idiom) = how things have changed for the worse for me / I used to have a lot more than I have now!
437. to go it alone (idiom) = to live alone / to exist without the help of anyone else
438. I’m a confirmed bachelor (idiom) = I’m a single man (without a wife or girlfriend)
439. all lovey dovey (very informal) = very loving
440. nagging = constant complaining and grumbling (wives are sometimes said to nag their husbands.)
441. I can’t stand it = I dislike it intensely
442. put up with (phrasal verb) = tolerate
443. moods = temperament / changes of emotional behavior
444. You shouldn’t give up (phrasal verb) = You should not stop trying
445. there’s a good woman behind every great man (idiom) = every man that achieves something great needs the support of a woman
446. let your hair down (idiom) = enjoy yourself
447. at eight on the dot (idiom) = at exactly eight and not a minute later
448. to embark on the night’s task = to start the job for the night
449. to smoke enough cigarettes to choke a horse (idiom) = to smoke enough cigarettes to kill a horse (to choke = to constrict the windpipe or throat causing death by suffocation)
450. in his head he runs through (phrasal verb) = he thinks systematically about
451. the key facts of the case = the important points of the investigation
452. disintegration = collapse
453. a thumping headache (idiom) = a very bad headache / a terrible pain in the head
454. low lives (idiom) = bad people / useless people / criminals with no moral standards
455. bought = brought (Boyle made a common conversational error here, by using the past simple tense of ‘buy’ instead of ‘bring’)
456. strangling = putting hands around the throat and choking to death
457. you’ll only get yourself in trouble with the Chief Inspector = the only result will be that you will have problems with the Chief Inspector
458. human rights = legal entitlements as human beings
459. bloomin’ = (less rude swear word, meaning ‘damned’)
460. Blasted = Damned
461. I could do with (phrasal verb) a rest = I really need a rest
462. exaggerating a little = making something seem larger, more important, better or worse than it really is
463. interrogate = question (in order to obtain information)
464. good cop bad cop routine (idiom) = interrogation technique where one police officer is very friendly and the other is very aggressive
465. giving nothing away (phrasal verb: to give something away = to reveal something) = not revealing any information
466. sonny = son (a slightly condescending way for an older man to address a younger man)
467. stop messing me around (phrasal verb: to mess around = to behave in a silly or irritating way ) = stop playing with me
468. judges = heads of legal courts / people who administer justice
469. look on lightly (idiom) = consider to not constitute a serious crime /consider as not important
470. they usually throw the key away for that sort of thing (idiom) = they normally give a very long prison sentence for that type of crime
471. lump on my head = swelling / injury on my head (caused by the blow Boyle received at the scrap yard)
472. I’m prepared to do a deal with you (informal and sounding quite threatening) = I am ready to negotiate an agreement with you (much more formal)
473. I’d say that was very kind of me under the circumstances = I would say that is very generous of me considering what has happened
474. I’ll put a good word in for you (idiom) with the judge = I will speak favorably of you to the judge (more formal)
475. at Her Majesty’s Pleasure (very formal: using the language that the police and the legal profession uses) = in jail (all the British prisons are officially owned by the Queen)
476. I can’t grass on (phrasal verb)my mates = I can’t give information to the police about my friends
477. What’s it got to do with you? (phrasal verb, quite impolite and aggressive) = What business is it of yours?
478. gorgeous = very pretty
479. apple pie and custard = a typical English pudding or desert with sauce
480. on the face of the planet (idiom, more emphatic) = in the world
481. you’ll be past it (idiom) = you will be too old
482. You’re a good looking guy but there are plenty more fish in the sea (idiom: there are plenty more fish in the sea = there are lots of other people to choose from. It is often used when we are talking about romantic relationships.) = You are a handsome man but there are lots of other men around
483. a new man with prospects = a new man with good career options and possibilities to earn money
484. As soon as you go down (phrasal verb: to go down = to go to jail, because after the judge gives his sentence, the criminal is taken down the stairs to his cell) = At the very moment when you go to jail
485. she’ll ditch you for (idiom) someone else = she’ll swap you for another person / she will break up (phrasal verb) with you and find someone else
486. a witness = a person who has seen a crime and gives evidence in court
487. the accused = the person who is thought to have committed the crime and is on trial for it
488. a witness protection scheme = a plan to defend witnesses from the intimidation of criminals
489. new identity = new name, new passport etc
490. wasted their lives = ruined their lives
491. Don’t throw it down the drain (idiom) = Don’t waste it
492. Hyde Park = very large public park in the centre of London not far from Buckingham Palace
493. I swear on Samantha’s life = I promise that it’s true and as proof I offer the thing that I love the most (we never actually say it like this!)
494. a posh fellow (informal) = an upper class man
495. he asked about (phrasal verb) a bit = he asked questions to various people here and there
496. You’ve been had (idiom) = You’ve been cheated / you have been deceived
497. a paltry sum = a very small amount of money
498. treason = crime against the state (which up until recently was punishable by death)
499. The Tower of London = a castle in the centre of London (where traitors used to be sent to be executed)
500. the West End = area in the centre of London famous for its restaurants and nightlife
501. a slap up meal = a very big and lavish meal
502. I put a little money away (phrasal verb) for = I saved some money for
503. Fit looking = appears to be in a very good physical state (probably does a lot of exercise)
504. a bit of a snappy dresser (idiom) = quite fashionably dressed (a snappy dresser = someone who dresses well)
505. Knightsbridge = a rich fashionable area of London
506. relevant = important / related to the matter being discussed
507. come to think of it (idiom) = when I think about it
508. I got the feeling at the time = I thought at the time / It occurred to me at that moment (more formal)
509. get him out (phrasal verb) of here = take him out (phrasal verb) of here
510. Danny is led off (phrasal verb) to = Danny is taken to
511. who it was that grassed (to grass on someone = to inform the police of their criminal activities. Slang or informal street talk) = who it was that gave the police information about their crime
512. Are we at another dead end? (idiom) = Have we reached another point at which we can progress no further
513. Spit it out (phrasal verb) = Say it / Tell me
514. ask around (phrasal verb) = ask questions at various locations
515. pet shops = shops that sell animals and food for animals that people keep in the house as companions
516. Harrods = a very famous department store in Knightsbridge
517. Smithers and Boyle race across London = Smithers and Boyle drive across London at high speed
518. siren = wailing sound emitted by the car
519. They are in their element (idiom) = They are doing the thing that they love the most
520. to solving the crime = to finding out (phrasal verb) who committed the crime
521. jet black = very black
522. a bow = a decorative knot (we often wrap a present then we use a ribbon and tie it with a bow)
523. Make-up = cosmetics (eye liner, lipstick etc.)
524. like a school mistress from years gone by (phrasal verb) = like a female school teacher from the past
525. severe unsmiling manner = unfriendly and serious way of behaving
526. harsh tone of her voice = aggressive or nasty sounding voice
527. she exudes a certain attractiveness = she has an attractive aspect about her
528. I can assure you it does exist = I promise you that it is a real place
529. This is the pet department, after all = Obviously, because this is the pet department
530. we have a very high class clientele = our customers are very rich and important people
531. I couldn’t possibly reveal that sort of sensitive information (more formal) = I can’t give you that type of private information
532. That would be most irregular (more formal) = That would be against the rules
533. don’t make me lose my temper = don’t make me angry
534. You know it would only be a formality = It would be very easy for me to take the official step of getting a warrant
535. a warrant = a licence (official paper giving the police permission to do something i.e. carry out (phrasal verb) an arrest or search a premises)
536. I’ll get it right away (more emphatic) = I’ll get it now / I will fetch it immediately (more formal)
537. for a split second = for a very short moment
538. goes into slow motion = moves slowly like a piece of slowed down film (as it does sometimes in a love film when the lovers notice each other for the first time)
539. some chemistry = some physical chemistry that attracts them to each other
540. deep in conversation = heavily involved in conversation
541. if Smithers’ ears don’t deceive him (idiom) = if Smithers is hearing correctly
542. thinly-disguised = not very well hidden
543. flirting = chatting up (phrasal verb) (to flirt = to try and attract the attention of a member of the opposite sex using a mixture of wit and flattery. To chat up)
544. going on (phrasal verb) = happening / occurring
545. sifting through (phrasal verb) = examining in great detail
546. frequent deliveries = many deliveries
547. pheasant and partridge = two game birds that are often hunted and eaten by upper class English people
548. roast beef and horseradish sauce = a typical English Sunday lunch dish
549. the year of the Queen’s coronation = the year that the Queen was crowned (in fact , although the Elizabeth II became queen in 1952, the coronation took place in 1953)
550. cans = tins
551. in stock = in the shop / in supply
552. I most certainly do (using only the auxiliary) = Yes, I do have some cans of this Regal luxury dog food in stock
553. let’s pay number 52 Buckingham Place a visit = let’s go and visit 52 Buckingham Place
554. brash = flash / showy / aggressive
555. You seemed to be getting on very well with (phrasal verb: to get on with somebody = to enjoy a person company / to have a good relationship with someone) = It looked as if you were enjoying the company of
556. on first name terms = calling each other by your first names
557. tough exterior = hard image / serious image
558. a handsome couple = a good looking pair in a romantic partnership
559. gossiping = talking about petty irrelevant things that are none of your business
560. remodelled = re-built
561. to bear a tacky resemblance to = to look like, in a tasteless way
562. Boyle knocks loudly on the door = Boyle bangs his fist on the door in order to be let in (phrasal verb)
563. disgusting = horrible / dirty and unpleasant
564. a warrant = a licence (official paper giving the police permission to do something i.e. carry out (phrasal verb) an arrest or search a premises)
565. a renegade cop (idiom) = a police man that doesn’t follow all the rules
566. to ignore the niceties of the law (idiom) = to not follow all the rules of the law
567. Union Jack = British flag
568. flagpole = piece of wood or pole to which a flag is attached
569. throne = seat (on which a King or Queen sits)
570. a pedestal = a raised platform (usually used to display something such as a statue)
571. clues = evidence
572. You’re mistaken Inspector = You are incorrect, Inspector
573. invoice = demand for payment for services or goods
574. diamond-encrusted dog collars = bands which are decorated with diamonds, worn around dogs’ neck to which leads are attached
575. Come on Mister, the game’s up (idiom) = Be reasonable, Sir, the deception is over because we know the truth (much more formal and polite)
576. Smithers’ jaw drops open in utter amazement = Smithers is completely surprised and he just stands there with his mouth open finding it difficult to believe what he is seeing
577. Smithers is totally lost for words (idiom) = Smithers is so shocked that he cannot speak
578. staring at = looking at or watching intently
579. Her Royal Highness = an official formal title (in fact, the Queen should be referred to as Her Majesty)
580. awful = terrible / horrible
581. What is the meaning of this intrusion? (very formal: in the way that The Queen might speak) = Why are they doing here?
582. I simply can’t abide (very formal) the working class = I don’t like the ordinary working people at all
583. Have them removed (formal) = Get somebody to take them away (phrasal verb)
584. inquiries = investigations
585. the State Opening of Parliament = the opening of the Parliament after the holiday break (The Queen always attends this opening and makes a speech)
586. In precisely seven and a half minutes = In exactly seven and a half minutes from now
587. Go away (phrasal verb) = leave me alone
588. impertinent questions (more formal) = rude questions / inappropriate questions (because a police officer would not be allowed to cross question The Queen in this way)
589. how dare you address me as Madam = don’t be so rude and insolent as to call me Madam (The Queen should not be addressed as Madam – this is for ordinary women. The Queen would expect to be addressed as Your Majesty)
590. Do as you’re told = Do what I tell you to do / follow orders
591. trembling = shaking (due to nervousness)
592. handcuffs = metallic bracelet like objects joined together by a chain (used by the police to restrain criminals that have just been arrested)
593. get your hands off (phrasal verb) me = don’t touch me / leave me alone
594. dreadful = horrible
595. shin = bone at the front of the lower leg
596. hops around the room = jumps around the room on one leg
597. clutching = holding tightly
598. crown = Royal ceremonial head dress (usually made of gold)
599. recover their senses = realise what has happened after an initial shock
600. to catch a glimpse of (idiom) = to see for a very brief moment
601. clambering over = climbing over with difficulty
602. tearing = ripping
603. dragging = pulling along (phrasal verb)
604. After her (police men often say this in TV cop dramas) = follow her
605. Don’t let her get away (phrasal verb) = Don’t allow her to escape
606. the intrepid = the brave / the daring / the dashing / the adventurous
607. grudging respect = respect that is unwillingly given
608. Film producer = Film maker
609. demanding the film rights = asking for the exclusive legal permission to make the film
610. tying up the loose ends of the case (idiom) = sorting out (phrasal verb) the final details of the case
611. in the late fifties = towards the end of the 1950s
612. playing some leading parts in a few low budget films and B movies = acting some important parts in some minor films
613. due to her uncanny resemblance to The Queen (more formal) = because she looked very like The Queen
614. impersonating = mimicking / pretending to be
615. typecast = (when an actor or actress becomes so associated with one particular role that they can only get work performing that role)
616. obsessed = interested to a level that is not normal or healthy
617. What did her husband make of all this? (idiom) = What did her husband think about this?
618. hen-pecked (idiom) = dominated and possibly bullied by girlfriend or wife
619. She definitely wore the trousers in that relationship (idiom) = She was the boss in that relationship
620. He tried to reason with (phrasal verb) her = He tried to make her see sense / He tried to point out (phrasal verb) to her the craziness of what she was doing
621. embroiled in their delusion = deeply involved in their own lies
622. declared = said / stated
623. concocted = made / devised
624. to plead insanity (legal language) = to officially state in court that she committed the crime because she was mad / crazy / insane
625. diminished responsibility (legal language) = lack of responsibility for one’s actions due to mental illness
626. psychiatrists = doctors that treat mental illness
627. to sort her head (idiom) = to help her with her mental illness
628. he’ll get a few years inside (idiom) = he’ll receive a short prison sentence
629. malice = nastiness / bad intention
630. when he’s done his time (idiom) = when he has served prison term / when he has completed his prison sentence
631. The Queen’s got her corgis back = The Queen’s corgis have been returned to her
632. live more or less happily ever after = live the rest of their lives without problems (fairy tales often finish with – “and they lived happily ever after”)
633. the spitting image of (idiom) = an exact likeness of / an exact copy of
634. She certainly had me fooled. = she really tricked me / she really convinced me with her deception
635. to blow my own trumpet (idiom) = to boast / to show off (phrasal verb) / to speak well of one’s own achievements
636. the Queen’s portrait = the picture of the Queen
637. for heaven’s sake (idiom – an expression of exasperation) = for goodness sake
638. what the hell would (showing exasperation) = why on earth would
639. well spotted = well observed
640. Elementary, my dear Smithers = It’s quite simple Smithers (here Boyle is a copying the words of his hero, Sherlock Holmes, who always said “Elementary, my dear Watson” when his assistant Watson complimented him on his detective genius.)
641. (Boyle hangs up (phrasal verb) the phone) = Boyle puts the telephone receiver down (phrasal verb)
642. Mrs Smithers will be pleased = Mrs Smithers will be happy