This document provides quotes from several British detective television series to help language learners improve their English skills. It includes short phrases from shows like A Touch of Frost, Midsummer Murders, The Bletchley Circle, Sherlock, and Jonathan Creek. The quotes cover a variety of conversational expressions and colloquialisms to expose learners to more natural English speech patterns.

1. FILM QUOTES –ENGLISH
A TOUCH OF FROST
MIDSUMMER MURDERS
THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE
SHERLOCK
JONATHAN CREEK
( BRITISH DETECTIVE SERIES)
BOOST YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS BY READING
THESE QUOTES (PRIVATE SELECTION) FROM
BRITISH DETECTIVE SERIES.
By M. van Eijk/MA

2. It’s an easy way to learn a different language!
 Movies, TV shows and web series like ‘Detective Frost’ are useful for helping you improve your
language skills. Here’s why they are a fun and easy learning tool!
 Films and series are excellent for listening to native speakers and how a language sounds.
Imitate what you hear to help remember words – just think of all the phrases you know by
heart from films and series in your own language!
 You will find the ‘Frost detective series (and the others) on the internet’; in this slideshare I
have selected the English phrases or quotes to help you memorize them even quicker!

3. A TOUCH OF FROST
I think you had a few too many.
I will explain in words of one-syllable!
Then…. I want every sight, every
sound, everything you did and every
way you went.

4. A TOUCH OF FROST - Mind
Games
Woman: ‘You took your time. Man!
Working up an appetite!’
It takes as long as it takes!
For someone who is not too hot upstairs, he
is a convincing liar!

5. A TOUCH OF FROST – Mistaken Identity
 Person A: I know I will get thrown to the lions.
Person B: If there’s anything left to throw!
 You spend so much time here (canteen); you could
start your own TV-cookery program!
 I’m going to interview her in …..ten minutes ago!

6. You must have your suspicion…like I do!
I’ll get my own way out!
If my hunch is correct, it’s odds we’re going to win
the penalty shootout!
Sarcasm Frost: ‘the last refuge of wit.’

7. A TOUCH OF FROST
That’s up to you Jack; you’re running the
show!
‘Jack, a word in your ear…….’
It’s still early days.
I’ll keep an eye out, I promise.

8. I won’t be the first in the queue for
counseling!
What’s the big attraction here then!
(man limping) If it wasn’t sex, what was it?
‘Always trouble with kids’. ‘Well, if that’s
the only worry on your plate, you’re a lucky
man’.

9.  You know what they say: ‘the bigger they are, the
harder they fall.’
 You know what: I’m beginning to enjoy myself.
 ‘What did they take’?
‘Well, a half jar of pickled onions and a pair of old
socks!’

10. ‘You’re cutting things a bit fine, Jack!’
‘You arresting me wasn’t exactly part of the
scenario!’
‘Do you want my advice?’ ‘No, but I suppose
we’re gonna get it…!’
You cannot separate people from their
passions.

11. A TOUCH OF FROST – Fun Times for Swingers
Thanks for a smashing time!
‘Come on, we’re not talking about love.
We’re talking about rolling about in bed!’

12.  (noisy group) ‘Alright, alright, let’s keep it
together!’
‘I’m having a rather thin time!’ (no money)
‘Get on with it, get moving, chop, chop.’
A copper bottomed alibi.

13. A TOUCH OF FROST –
The Things we do for Love
 (found some candy)
‘Sweet tooth, by the looks of it!’
 (handing over litter) ‘Find a bin for that, will you.’
 (calming down/ motivating his team) ‘Alright,
pack it in, let’s get going!’
 ‘Come on, what’s your bright idea!’

14. ‘He’s lying, but he’s very good at it!’
‘That was a nasty moment, wasn’t it?’
‘I’m not going to charge you with wasting my
time.’
‘Are you buying (you’re paying for it)!
‘He was gonna shack up with her.’ (start living
together)
‘Yeah, eight o’clock, on the dot (precisely).

15. Midsummer Murder–
Death of a Hollow Man
I do not know where x finds the money?
Rosa, have you pricked your finger?
Maybe she goes to sleep for a hundred years;
give us all a break!

16. Stands to reason.
Nobody is perfect!
I am looking for a book! ‘Books is what
we do best!’
Everyone needs to love.

17. Teasing people is ill – mannered.
He jumped a red light.
It will run like a dream ( it will go smoothly)
.
You want to know how he described your sex-
life: like humping a tranquilized cart-horse!

18. The atmosphere is electric.
For-warned is for-armed.
Yeah, but you’re not one summer short of a
picknick ( raving mad)!
Oh God, it’s Dracula’s mother!

19. Midsummer Murder –
Faithful unto Death
What can I do for you? I would like a bit of
your self-esteem, if you can spare any?
You have such a lovely face, I’m sure you want
to keep it.
Something is making my copper’s nose itch.
Sorry, I was miles away.

20.  Ten minutes in your company and….. I feel better?
 Someone with an ox to grind (with other
intentions).
 If I had lost £20,000, I would be climbing the walls
 Clever to invite the police! Just in case we
overstep the mark
 I cannot bear the sight of him.

21. You don’t have a soft paddle when it comes
to the English language (rude language).
I want my money back: I am emotionally
attracted to it!
Fresh air: were devils for it!
From pompous ass to petty thief.

22. Midsummer murder–Death in Disguise
I am fine, but Mr Canten is a different shade
of grey (a lot less)!
Midsummer Murder-Death’s Shadow
• It soon mounts up – (adds up quickly).
• Stephen has never been very selective about the
company he keeps ( not very picky)

23. David knew he had him over a barrel (under
his control).
You put a stop to that.
No need to go into details.
How about putting the boot on the other foot
for a change (try sth new)
It was midnight on the dot (precisely).

24. Midsummer Murder – Blood will out
Have you got anything special lined up?
Bad moment?
All-in the past!
He gets things done.
That story varies, depending on who I am
telling it to!

25. Good God, you nearly come alive there!
Force of habit?
What can I do to put a smile on your face?
Beware the wrath of a patient man.

26. Midsummer Murder - Death of a stranger
 I hope she is not going to be a drag ( slowing
down).
 … as you mean to go on (bend the twig and
bend the tree).
 I will see to my duties (duty calls).
 She means well.
 She is bored out of her mind.
 It really clamped her up .

27. Midsummer Murder - Blue Herrings
 I didn’t come here to be insulted, you Interfering old
buffer!
 You are not the world’s greatest handyman are you?!
 Bossy old bag!
 They all think .. going soft in the head (senile).
 As fit as a fiddle (good condition)
 Need I say more (that says it all).
 You will become another old fart in a cheap sports
jacket!

28.  Where do they come from? Ask no questions and
I will tell you no lies!
 Bloody nerve.
 I have to clean up my mother’s financial affairs.
 It took me by surprise.
 If you let us have the room for a few moments
(leave us alone).
 Not in the first flush of youth.
 They are knocking each other off (have sex).

29. Midsummer Murder - Judgement Day
I had to think on my feet (think quickly).
Midsummer Murder - Beyond the Grave
I don’t hang about (delay, linger).
File it under forget!
The house is miles off the beaten track
(remote).
The sea is just a stone’s throw (close).

30. She is daft as a bloody brush (mad).
Where did they dig you up?
You are one of those people who had
everything thrown your way.
I’ve got a big fat card up my sleeve (trump
card).

31. The Bletchley Circle
 Stephen is reorganizing the department, so
everyone is in their best behavior.
 I bet you felt like a fool!
 That will take forever in a day.
I know we gotta crack on.
 Everything comes with practice.
 No boyfriend? That is a crying shame for a pretty
girl like you!

32.  What happened, happened. You don’t regret it do
you?
 He was going to blow the whistle.
 Send us (me) a postcard!
 Just a little sideline.
 They had a thing going on the side.
 Let’s take a real amounts, not fairy tales.

33. He always thought he could bluff his
way out of everything.
It was nothing, a wild goose chase.
It was all rubbish, bullocks.
Let’s get cracking!
I just have one of those faces.

34. Sherlock (1)
 What about those suicides Sherlock, I thought that
would be right up your street (sth. that would really
suit you).
 I will be right behind (I’ll be right there).
 Brilliant, it is Christmas! (receiving unexpected present)
 I’ve seen enough for a lifetime (more than enough).

35.  There is no point sitting at home when something
fun is going on.
 Shot in the dark (a guess)
 Oh God, what is it like in your funny little brains, it
must be so boring! (Not much brain activity)

36. I am the closest thing to a friend Sherlock
Holmes is capable of having!
In order to ease your way (to make things
more easy for you)!
She’s got it the wrong way around.
Are you afraid? No, ah, the bravery of the
soldier.

37. No, not really my area (Not my cup of tea)
Anderson, don’t talk out loud, you lower the
IQ of the whole street!
Now, enough chatter (talking).

38. (Shouting at the wall) so, you are taking it out on the
wall? The wall had it coming!
It is cold outside, he should have wrapped himself up
a bit more.
Break it off and save yourself the pain.
You’re in sparkling form (top fit).

39. Something fishy about it
(suspicious).
Opposites attract !
That was him all over!
I am fine (I’m good)!
Good night Vienna (end of story).

40. Sherlock (2)
• It’s a relief, in a way, to know that she’s
beyond this veil of tears.
• Fire away! (ask your questions)
• We won upon him .
• Poor sod.
• There’s nothing taken.
• We were having a night in (evening home).
• My patience is wearing thin (loosing
patience).

41. •He was so blasted (utterly drunk).
•When a neat little idea popped into
your head (bright idea).
•In this hour of need, your name has
arisen!
•That’s as modest as he gets.
•I have bad ideas.
•I had tea too, if anyone is interested!

42. The driver is fixing the car; getting nowhere
(in vain).
Something big is coming .
I’m fine; since you didn’t ask!
Some things are best left tot he imagination,
Mrs. Hudson!

43. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.
He wants in his mother’s good books;
probably to borrow money.
You have nearly driven a man out of his
mind.
Let’s not jump to conclusions.

44. You need someone to set the record straight (get rid of rumours).
Jonathan Creek (The Wrestler’s Tomb)
• A heartattack on legs! (old person)
• That is mindnumbingly banal!
• Have a good old squirt (clean your nose).
• A mind like quicksilver (a superfast brain).

45. Jonathan Creek (House of Monkeys)
•Well, that was most illuminating
(enlightening).
•The day before he was nice as pie
(super-sweet).
•You’re a cocky sod (cock).

46. Jonathan Creek (Jack in the box)
• The client will hack it to shreds anyway
(will not accept it).
• Hear me out!
• Let me have a squint at that (let me have
a look).

47. Jonathan Creek (The Reconstituted Corpse)
•I’m going to flush this through the toilet.
•I’ll put the thinking-cap on (I’m going
to think about it). Leave it with me.
•It’s probably a mad idea (probably
far-fetched).
•There were a few hick-ups this week
(minor problems).

48. • There were a few hick-ups this week (minor
problems).
• I have to pay a visit to the little boys’room
(toilet).
• It’s a bit lumpy (far-fetched).
• He certainly got his money’s worth, didn’t he
(value for money)?
• It’s all part of the service.
• Tell him to get his ass round here (to come
here).

49. Jonathan Creek (No Trace of Tracey)
• Mad as a lightbulb (mad as a hatter).
• I’ll be two seconds (back soon).
• Seriously potty people! (completely
insane)
• Now I can die happy!
• That was exactly what you were banking
on (counting on).

50. • You were off like a bullet (disappeared
quickly).
• We stood full square behind Roy from the word
‘go’ (from the beginning).
• Penny-pinching bastard (cheapskate, miser).
• You don’t tend to hang about (don’t stay
long).
• My head is spinning around, I can’t take this in
(cannot understand).

51. Jonathan Creek (Dance Macabre)
• I won’t say we got on like a house on fire,
but....
• Sorry, I have some work to catch up (work
to do).
• I wouldn’t mind hanging on to these (to
keep them).
• The guy just popped (just died).

52. Jonathan Creek (Time Waits For Norman)
• I’ve told you everything there is to tell.
• I have a lot on (busy).
Jonathan Creek (The Scented Room)
• Due to a cock up in the diary (mistake in
agenda).
• I’m not with you (I don’t understand what
you’re trying to say).
• Tell me, put me out of my misery.

53. Jonathan Creek (The problems at Gallows Gate)
• I feel like dirt dug up (feel like shit).
Jonathan Creek (Mother Redcap)
• You brainless little turt!
• On another planet
• Let’s grab a coffee and talk it all over.
• Am I talking to myself.

54. Jonathan Creek (Black Canary)
• I am sorry I put the wind up you last night
(did I scare you).
• What came next, nothing in the world
could have prepared me for.
• Which makes her death a bit dodgy
(suspicious).
• You must be joking, surely to heaven!

55. • If you can come up with a better trick, I
would like to see it sometime!
• Not in a month of Sundays (never going to
happen)!
• I could murder a black coffee (black
coffee, please).
• Well, I don’t like the look of you either!
Thank you for letting me share that
experience.

56. • Just have to pop to the loo for a sec
(toilet).
• Anytime you want to; pop in for a cuppa
(cup of coffee).
Jonathan Creek (Mr. Spearfish)
• You have made a pigs’breakfast of it!
• Hee, aren’t you up bright and early.
• Can we keep the rabbit down there,
please (quiet, still).

57. • You’re dealing with forces, you can’t
begin to understand.
• You have nothing against him; nothing
that can hold water.
• Sorry, something popped in there
(I thought of something).
• Story thère is ......... that she was on her
way to the airport...
• I’d be scared titless in her shoes!
• No agenda (no predetermined plan).

58. Jonathan Creek (The Omega Man)
• It could be a bit out of your league (bit to
much for you).
• The alien did a moonlight flit
(disappeared, vanished)!
• Meal-ticket for life (provide a person with
a lifestyle or money they otherwise
wouldn’t have).

59. Hope you enjoyed this!
Photos made in london 12 August 2014
UPDATE SOON!