marriage penalty
A situation where a married couple pays more in taxes, typically income taxes, when filing jointly, than the two individuals would pay if filing as singles separately.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They pay a marriage penalty because of their combined income.”
“The couple discovered that filing their taxes together resulted in a marriage penalty, so they calculated the difference carefully.”
“Financial analysts often debate whether the current tax code unfairly imposes a marriage penalty on dual-income households, potentially discouraging legal unions for tax-conscious partners.”
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marriage bed
Sexual activity between a married couple.
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pay the penalty
To incur negative consequences of one's deeds; to suffer as a result of some choice.
- 03
penalty box
A temporary punishment, or, metaphorically, a similar setback (e.g., loss of control, embarrassment, etc.).
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white marriage
An unconsummated marriage.
Last updated August 10, 2026