spree
/spri:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A short period of doing a particular activity, especially shopping or drinking, in an excessive, unrestrained, and often enjoyable way: A "spree" refers to a brief, intense bout of indulgence in an activity, typically characterized by a lack of restraint.
- A lively, extravagant outing or session: It can also denote a period of energetic and often extravagant merrymaking or celebration.
Verb:
- To engage in an activity, especially shopping or merrymaking, in a unrestrained, excessive manner: To "spree" means to take part in such a brief period of indulgence.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- She went on a shopping spree and bought three new dresses.
- After their final exams, the students went on a celebratory spree.
- The city experienced a spree of burglaries last month.
- Verb (less common):
- They decided to spree through the luxury boutiques for the afternoon.
Advanced Usage
- "to go on a spree" / "to be on a spree": This is the most common collocation, meaning to engage in a period of unrestrained activity.
- He went on a spending spree with his bonus.
- "killing spree": A specific, serious idiom referring to a series of murders committed in a short period.
- The film's villain went on a killing spree.
Variants and Related Words
- Spreeing (gerund/participle): The act of engaging in a spree.
- Their spreeing left them with empty wallets.
- Shopping spree (noun phrase): An intense, unrestrained period of shopping.
- Drinking spree (noun phrase): An intense, unrestrained period of drinking alcohol.
- Crime spree (noun phrase): A series of crimes committed in quick succession.
Synonyms
- Binge: A period of excessive indulgence, especially in eating or drinking.
- Fling: A short period of enjoyment or wild behavior.
- Bout: A short period of intense activity of a specified kind.
- Orgy: A period of excessive indulgence in a specified activity (can have negative connotations).
Related Phrasal Verbs/Verb Phrases
- Go on a spree: As detailed above, this is the standard verb phrase used with the noun form.
Related Idioms
- On a spree: Describing the state of being engaged in such activity.
- The tourists were on a spree, visiting every souvenir shop in town.
Noun
- a brief indulgence of your impulses
Verb
- engage without restraint in an activity and indulge, as when shopping