ESL Podcast 835 - Getting Shocking News
shock - a surprise, especially a negative one
It was a shock to hear that the store is closing and going out of business.
to throw (someone) for a loop - to surprise someone, especially with negative or confusing information
When Edna cut and dyed her hair, I almost couldn't recognize her. It really threw me for a loop!
pregnant - expecting a child; the condition of a woman who has a baby growing inside her
Heather felt sick quite often for the first three months when she was pregnant.
paternity test - a test of a man's blood to determine whether his DNA matches that of a baby or child, used to demonstrate whether he is the father
What will you do if the paternity test shows he isn't the father?
bombshell - a very important and surprising piece of news
When Slobodan announced he was going to marry a woman he had met only two weeks earlier, it was a bombshell for everyone.
biologically - related by blood, not through adoption
Biologically speaking, Francine is Gerard's mother, but he has never even met her.
the whole shebang - everything; without any exclusions; including all
They had a really fancy party with catered food, an open bar, live music, fresh
flowers - the whole shebang.
child support - money paid by one parent (usually the father) to the other parent (usually the mother) to cover some of the expenses of raising a child when the parents do not live together
They had a bad divorce, but he has always been great about paying the child support.
custody - the legal right to have a child live with oneself
Sharing custody can be emotionally difficult for the parents and for the children.
astounding - amazing and very surprising, usually in a good way; impressive
That was an astounding speech! Everyone in the audience was captivated by your words.
outraged - very angry and shocked
Oliver was outraged when he realized he had paid twice as much as the car was actually worth.
stunned - very shocked and unable to speak or react
Harold was stunned when his daughter announced she was dropping out of medical school to work in a coffee shop.
to rekindle - to start something again, especially to re-start a relationship that had previously ended or almost ended
Their therapist recommended taking a romantic weekend away from the kids to try to rekindle their marriage.
DNA test - an examination of a blood sample to determine whether the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) matches that of another person, to determine one's identify or to determine whether two people are related
The lawyers use a DNA test to prove that he was the killer.
proof - evidence; something that shows something must be true
The fingerprints provided proof that Benny had been in the house that evening.
one way or the other - whichever outcome is correct; in one of two ways, with no other possibilities; describing something that must happen without exceptions
One way or the other, you're going to have to pay off all this debt!
to cross (one's) fingers - to hold one's middle finger over one's index finger while saying something or wishing for something, used to show that one really wants something to happen
We're all crossing our fingers that the professor will decide to postpone the exam.