"hundreds", "fives", "ones", "Tens", "20s"

[IMPSX-UE]

LJ's friend: LJ, hold up. Hold up.I don't think I can go through with this.
LJ: Everything's going to be fine. Trust me.
Man: We understand each other, then?
LJ: Yeah.
Man: Friday. Not Saturday. Not Sunday. Friday.
LJ: Totally understood.
Man: I don't want hundreds,I don't want fives, I don't want ones.
LJ: I know, I know. Tens and 20s only.

(Hi! I have a question from Prison Break. I can not figure out what this man [it seems he is either a drug seller or buyer, I am not sure] and LJ are talking about. "hundreds", "fives", "ones", "Tens", "20s", what do they refer to ? Dollars? Could you make this clearer? Thank you! )

Police Officer: It's on. Police

[David L.]

The "man" appears then, to be a drug dealer, and he is reminding LJ that when he pays him for the drugs, what denominations (=the face value of a banknote, a coin, or a postage stamp ) he will, and will not accept.
He doesn't want very large bills ( $100 notes), or small bills ($5 and $1) but 10s and 20s.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes, those are bill denominations. Smaller bills are less likely to be marked by police for tracing, so people breaking laws feel safer using smaller bills.

[David L.]

...and carrying around a hundred dollars in $1 bills in your wallet makes for a bulky back pocket!

[IMPSX-UE]

The "man" appears then, to be a drug dealer, and he is reminding LJ that when he pays him for the drugs, what denominations (=the face value of a banknote, a coin, or a postage stamp ) he will, and will not accept.
He doesn't want very large bills ( $100 notes), or small bills ($5 and $1) but 10s and 20s.

David L. and Charlie, thank you very much, I can figure it out now!

And could you have a look for at these two more questions in this context when you are free. Many thanks!

Q1: LJ's friend: LJ, hold up. Hold up.I don't think I can go through with this.
May I interpret "hold up" here as "wait a minute" ?

Q2: Police Officer: It's on. Police.
What does "It's on" mean ? I can not find it in the dictionary. Thanks for your help!

[David L.]

Q1: LJ's friend: LJ, hold up. Hold up.I don't think I can go through with this.
May I interpret "hold up" here as "wait a minute" ?
Exactly! Good for you. You're getting a 'feel' for the language.


Q2: Police Officer: It's on. Police.
What does "It's on" mean ? I can not find it in the dictionary. Thanks for your help!

I haven't got the broader context here, but what I would imagine is that the criminals have planned some caper ( some sort of criminal activity, like a robbery, or an escape from prison, or a drug deal.) The police have been watching, waiting for the first sign that they are doing it; and one policeman says to the others, "It's on! (they've (the criminals have) started whatever the criminal activity it is); and the policeman then calls out to the criminals, "(We're the) Police! (Stop, desist, surrender........(my imagination is running away with me here)

[IMPSX-UE]

[QUOTE]

Q1: LJ's friend: LJ, hold up. Hold up.I don't think I can go through with this.
May I interpret "hold up" here as "wait a minute" ?
Exactly! Good for you. You're getting a 'feel' for the language.

Hi, David L.

Thanks for your help. Well, and sorry for the misunderstanding to you.

Anyway, thanks!