Marriage & Relationships. Part 1

bastion

Marriage in the traditional sense is a ... against social toxicity [fortification, protection, shield]

lump

It’s a sign of immaturity to ... so many features upon / on a partner [very inf., =offload onto you]

recluse

You should ascertain (=make sure) whether your prospective partner is emotionally available or a ... [loner, introvert]

get-out

Divorce might be a ... clause [safety net]

stands to gain

Everyone ... (to) ... that way [benefits]

pragmatic

I guess my approach is more ... [practical]

security

One of the main benefits of marriage is legal and financial ... [safety]

framework

Marriage provides a clear legal ... when it comes to property ownership [structure]

step in

In moments of crisis, there is no ambiguity about who has the right to ... ... [take action]

binding

This legally ... stability may sound unromantic, but it removes a huge amount of background stress [enforced]

undermine

Background stress that can quietly ... relationships over time [damage, ruin]

emotions

Marriage creates a strong sense of long‑term commitment that goes beyond ... [sentiments, feelings]

fluctuate

Feelings ...; commitment doesn’t have to [change, rise & fall irregularly]

stay the course

Both partners have made a public and legal promise to ... (the) ... [pursue a difficult task to the end]

work through

A public and legal promise to stay the course encourages people to ... ... problems [manage step by step]

first sign of discomfort

People need to work through problems rather than walking away at the ... ... (of) ... [immediately]

grounding

That psychological anchor (public and legal promise) can be ..., especially during periods of financial pressure [stabilizing, balancing]

established

It’s a well-known ... fact that for many couples, marriage provides a clear structure for family life [accepted]

households

Children raised in stable married ... [families]

parental

Children benefit from consistency through predictable routine, and clearly defined ... roles

long shot

This doesn’t mean married couples are perfect parents, not by a ... ... [informal, not at all]

romance killer

This might sound like a ... ... but there is also a social benefit to marriage [unromantic]

symbolic weight

Marriage still carries ... ... in society and signals reliability [social significance]

permanence

Marriage signals reliability, maturity, and ... [durability, stability]

subtle but meaningful

Marriage can open doors in ... (but) ... ways [quiet yet powerful]

foster

On an emotional level, marriage can ... deeper intimacy [strengthen]

playing the field

Jumping from one relationship to the next aka ... (the) ...

one foot

Both partners are willing to invest emotionally, and plan a shared future rather than keeping ... ... out of the door [be ready to leave]

stabilizing

With the world going absolutely bonkers these days, marriage can act as a ... force [balancing, permanent, predictable]

food on the table

With jobs coming and going and digital overload, you aren't sure if you can put ... (on the) ... next month [provide]

refuge

It becomes a private ... where both partners are not constantly competing or performing [shelter, protection, security]

betterment

Both partners are existing together for the ... of the family [improvement]

materialize

The benefits of marriage only ... when both partners are emotionally mature and aligned in values [happen, come about]

amplifies

Marriage is not a magic solution; it ... existing problems [intensifies]

owning

It’s up to the individuals to use the tools properly so that requires accountability and ... your mistakes [admitting]

same sheet

When you’re singing from the ... ..., that’s where kids thrive and grow into well-rounded adults without all that emotional baggage [UK, inf., have the same understanding, esp. in public]

hookup

There is a massive ... culture these days spurred on by toxic sites like Only Fans [encouragement of casual sex]

trumps

Individuality ... group adaptation [beats]

gutter

That’s essentially why many marriages end up in the ... [destroyed]

hitched

Many people avoid getting ... like the plague [inf., marry]

high and dry

Being left ... (and) ... and out of pocket is a dead cert [helpless]

pocket

Being left high and dry and out of ... is a dead cert [broke]

dead cert

Being left high and dry and out of pocket is a ... ... [inf., absolute certainty]

sacrosanct

Marriage is ... and shields you from toxicity [sacred]

landed

You’ve ... the right partner [very inf., found]

conditional arrangement

Marriage in 2026 is treated more like a c... a... rather than a lifelong commitment [formal, based on conditions]

on the rise

Divorces are ... (the) ... big time throughout the West [inf., increasing]

iron out

Rather than i.. o... any issues, couples see divorce as a back-up option rather than a last resort [resolve]

throw in

Many couples are willing to t... i... the towel at the first sign of trouble [give up]

flare up

When people lack resilience, conflicts f... u... [literal: body swells up = allergic reaction]

transactional

Then you ask yourself if love was ... in the first place [Quid Pro Quo]

rolled into one

Modern culture often promotes the idea that a spouse should be everything r... i... o... [put into one group]

inflated

When real human beings fail to meet this ... standard, disappointment quickly turns into resentment [unreasonably high]

Ticking off

... … your long list without giving back is dumb

mitigating factor

Financial pressure is a dominant m... f... in parting ways (f.) [f., sth that partly justifies the situation]

strain

Rising living costs, debt, and job insecurity put enormous ... on couples [pressure, but slightly stronger]

mounting up

You might have redundancy looming on the horizon or the bailiffs banging on your door because your debts have been m... u... [getting bigger]

expose

Money issues frequently ... deeper problems: power imbalance, lack of transparency, or incompatible lifestyles [reveal, uncover]

erode

Hidden problems can slowly ... trust and push couples towards the door [undermine]

familial

There has been a radical shift in societal and ... pressure when it comes to divorce [coming from families]

marital

Years ago couples would be encouraged to work on their ... issues to satisfy community expectations [related to marriage]

keep face

Couples worked on their issues basically to k... f... [not show weakness]

pretense

Couples worked on their issues to maintain the ... of the ideal family [fake idea]

prioritized over

Today individual happiness is p... o... collective stability [trumps]

backlash

Separation has become a more socially acceptable choice because couples wouldn’t face a community ... [negative reaction]

indicative of

Couples getting divorced en masse [ˌɒ̃ ˈmas], self-entitlement, and grandiose narcissism are all i... o... an individualistic society [serving as a sign of]

breakdown

Apparently, communication ... is another key factor [miscommunication]

resort to

Many couples lack the skills to manage conflict constructively and instead r... t... blame, withdrawal, or passive aggression [turn to]

pile up

Over time, unresolved issues p... u... until emotional detachment feels irreversible [get larger in number]

separate ways

The damage has been done and many couples go their s... w... [f., break up]

fuel

Technology has added ... to the fire [made things worse]

curated

Constant comparison with ... online lives also fosters dissatisfaction [selected]

test the waters

Some couples might be tempted to t... the w...s and have a casual fling [examine, try, probe]

detriment

Some couples might have a casual fling, but to the ... of it should someone be caught in the act [be harmful to sb / sth]

self‑preservation

Not all divorces are failures; some are acts of ... [saving yourself]

subjected to

Some couples might be s... t... hellish abuse and constant humiliation by their spouse [exposed to, put through]

closed doors

We shouldn’t underestimate what goes on behind c... d... because abusive dysfunctional marriages are a regular occurrence [behind curtains]

down-low

Abusive dysfunctional marriages are a regular occurrence and are kept on the ... [kept in the shadows / in the background, not openly talked about]

to

The moment a man raises his hand ... a woman, sign the papers and save yourself!

open

I might be touching on a taboo subject here but we need to get it out in the ... [discuss it openly]

fizzle out

After many couples tie the knot, some let the spark f... o... of their romance [end gradually, oft. in a disappointing or weak way]

biologically wired

People are b... w... to share intimacy and effort should be made to keep the candle burning [naturally built]

upfront

Being ... about intentions, prevents unnecessary confusion and emotional fallout [straightforward]

prowl

Are you on the ... for something serious [on the lookout for] or just getting your leg over [=very gopnik phrase, have sex]

to

The moment you sit down ... dinner you lay out your do’s and don’ts

feed subtle hints

At least ... your date some s... h... to avoid any ambiguity [provide clues]

jump the gun

Many couples tend to ... (the) ... and look for instant intensity [too quick]

gradual emotional investment

Couples look for instant intensity, rather than involve g... e... i... [building connection over time]

chase

There was a day when a man would court a lady for weeks on end, enjoying the ... [pursuit]

cornerstone

In my books, respectful communication remains a ... of healthy dating [f., basis, foundation]

sock

Listening attentively, responding thoughtfully, and knowing when to put a ... in it [inf., shut up]

face

Ghosting is disappearing off the ... of the planet

outgrown

Ghosting is all too common, but it signals that someone hasn’t ... their shoe size [be immature]