ESL Podcast 765 - Annulling a Marriage
to annul a marriage - to legally end a marriage as if it had never been valid or had never existed
When Ingrid found out that her husband had another wife, she immediately asked her lawyer to help her annul her marriage.
What brought this on? - a question asked when one does not understand why something has happened, believes it is very unexpected, and wants an explanation of what led to that situation
I thought Jun liked school, but apparently he's dropping out of college. What brought this on?
underage - less than 18 years old; too young to legally be considered an adult
It's illegal to sell cigarettes to underage teenagers.
bigamist - someone who is illegally married to two people at the same time
None of us ever suspected that Aaron was a bigamist. We were shocked to learn that he had another wife on the other side of the country!
of (one's) own free will - by choice, without being forced or pressured to do something by another person
Suzanne shaved off her hair of her own free will, and now she has to deal with the consequences.
fraud - the act of lying or misleading other people to get money or some other benefit
If someone calls you and asks for your bank account number or social security number, it is a clear example of fraud, so don't provide any information.
on (some) grounds - for those reasons; on that basis
Miller is suing his employer for $1 million on the grounds of discrimination.
related by blood - part of the same family through birth, not through marriage or adoption; with common (shared) ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.)
Charlene says she's related by blood to the Prince of Wales.
soap opera - a very dramatic television show with the same group of characters appearing each day, often about romantic relationships, unusual illnesses, and other dramatic stories
Maggie has been married six times. Her life seems like a soap opera!
to speculate - to say what one thinks might be true, even though one is really guessing and does not have all the necessary information
If I had to speculate, I'd say he was fired for always coming to work late.
witch - a rude word for a woman whom one does not like, usually because she is mean and unpleasant
Stop being such a witch! Can't you just be nice and friendly for a change?
catty - saying mean things about other people, especially gossiping in a mean way
Beatriz is so catty, always pretending to be Perry's friend but then saying bad things about him when he isn't there.
to detect - to observe something that is hidden or difficult to see or realize
When Dynee detected sudden changes in her son's behavior, she went to talk to his teacher.
jealousy - feelings of anger, sadness, and dissatisfaction because another person has what one wants
Troy's jealousy toward his brother keeps them from having a good relationship.
forget it - no way; an informal phrase used to strongly object to what another person has said because one thinks it is wrong or incorrect
Did you use my tools without asking me?
Forget it! I would never do anything like!
to wish (someone/something) on (one's) worst enemy - a phrase used when talking about a person or thing that one strongly dislikes, meaning that one wouldn't want to make anybody spend time with that person or thing because he/she/it is so unpleasant
That was the most boring presentation I've ever listened to! I wouldn't wish that speaker on my worst enemy!