ESL Podcast 553 - A Homeowners' Association
what possessed you (to do something) - an informal phrase used to ask someone why he or she has done something that seems irrational, illogical, strange, and unexpected
What possessed you to buy a boat? You don't even live near the water!
homeowners' association - an organization of the people who own houses or condos in a particular area, creating and enforcing rules about what people can and cannot do with their property, and maintaining common areas
The homeowners' association is going to vote on whether we should build a large pool for all the members to enjoy.
waste - using too much of something; using more of something than necessary, especially when talking about time, money, and other resources
A lot of the company's financial waste occurs in the sales department, where people sometimes secretly use the company's money for personal expenses.
to have a say - to make sure that one's opinion and beliefs are heard, especially when a group is making a decision; to be represented in a group or organization
The new manager invites everyone in the department to have a say in the decision-making.
dues - money that one must pay to be part of an organization, usually paid monthly or quarterly (four times a year)
The soccer players pay dues of $50 per month, and the funds are used to reserve soccer fields and pay for uniforms.
special assessment - money charged by a homeowners' association or a similar organization as a one-time fee in addition to the money that members normally have to pay
The condo building needs a new roof, but none of the condo owners want to pay the special assessment that will be needed to pay for the replacement.
bylaws - an official document that is written when an organization is created, describing why the organization exists, what it does, who runs it, how members can join, and more
According to the bylaws, we're supposed to elect a new president every three years.
to step up - to volunteer or agree to do something, especially when nobody else wants to do it because it is unpleasant or difficult
The police are asking for anyone who saw the robbery to step up and give them any information that may be helpful in catching the thief.
admirable - something that other people think is good or impressive; something or someone that other people look up to and wish they could be like
It's really admirable how you helped your friend when her husband died.
mismanagement - poor management; running a project, company, or organization in a way that is inefficient, ineffective, and/or dishonest
The team leader's mismanagement caused the project to fail.
to do battle - to fight; to argue with; to be in opposition to
Nutritionists are doing battle against soda companies and fast-food restaurants.
entrenched - having a very strong position or opinion, especially if one has been in that position or held that opinion for a long time
Why do you have such a deeply entrenched opinion? The latest scientific research no longer supports that theory.
to look kindly on - to favor or appreciate; to like something; to think that something is good or beneficial
American taxpayers don't look kindly on public officials who make a lot of money without producing good results.
tough questions - challenging, difficult questions that other people do not wish to answer because they are embarrassing or reveal something that was inappropriate
The President of the United States has to be prepared to answer tough questions about his policy decisions.
talk about - a phrase used to give emphasis to whatever comes next; a phrase used to show that something is a very good example of something else
Talk about a long day! I was in the office from 4:45 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. without a break!
thankless job - work that is important and must be done, but is not popular or appreciated
Collecting the garbage is a thankless job, but somebody has to do it.
don't I know it - a phrase used to show that one agrees with what another person has said and doesn't really need to be told about it, because one is already very familiar with it from personal experience
Raising kids is hard work.
Don't I know it! We have five children under the age of seven!
glutton for punishment - someone who likes to do things that have negative consequences; someone who chooses to do something even though he or she knows it will be very difficult or unpleasant
If you don't like math, why did you decide to major in engineering?
I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.