repossess

Everyday

(money, law) To take back goods or a house because the buyer has not kept up the payments they promised. tree →

In the lessons

Adult life seen by a child: if a family cannot pay the mortgage, the bank may repossess the house; a car bought on credit can be repossessed. It is a sad and serious thing for families. Phrases: «the house was repossessed», «repossession order».

Examples

• The bank repossessed the house when the payments stopped. tree →
• If you don't pay for the car, the company can repossess it. tree →
• Our neighbours were worried their home would be repossessed. tree →
• The shop repossessed the sofa after the missed payments. tree →
• Losing a job can mean a home is repossessed. tree →
• They got help from a charity so their house was not repossessed. tree →

Note

Spelling: double «s» twice — re-po-SS-e-SS. Noun «repossession». It happens only after a long time of missed payments, usually with warnings and court steps.