consumption spree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consumption spree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of excessive buying or consuming, often in a short time frame. Example: "During the holiday season, many people go on a consumption spree, buying gifts and decorations without much thought to their budgets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Schor has been hacking intrepidly through the jumble of available data quantifying the last decade's consumption spree.

The New York Times - Magazine

Poorer and younger workers, having cut back on fun as their bank balances dwindled during the month, went on a consumption spree once they were topped up.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everything since has been a series of "sprees" (his favorite word): spending sprees, consumption sprees, debt sprees, and above all money-printing sprees.

The New York Times

Even before a Wal-Mart worker on Long Island was killed in a stampede on Black Friday, I was feeling uneasy about embarking on a spree of material consumption.

The New York Times

Unlike earlier spending sprees, however, the consumption will be a lot less conspicuous.

The New York Times

Chinese banks benefited in 2009 from a government-led lending spree aimed at boosting consumption during the global crisis.

The New York Times

Conspicuous consumption — the theory that our shopping sprees are planned as much for others as ourselves — has always been of critical, but limited, use.

The New York Times

The Chinese government is backing the spending spree, trying to raise salaries and encourage more consumption as part of its long-term plan to restructure the economy and create more balanced and sustainable growth.

The New York Times

Professor Connor has traced the interaction of women and consumption in literature, even tracking down literature's first shopping spree to 1778, in "Evelina: or The History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World".

The New York Times

(The rapper T. I. did a medley about conspicuous consumption: "Whatever You Like," where he took a woman on a back lot shopping spree, and "Live Your Life," about success).

The New York Times - Arts

This fall the nation soured on retail consumption as if it had awakened with a collective hangover from a half-century spree that began when the first credit cards arrived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consumption spree", consider whether the context is specifically about spending money or a broader consumption of resources or goods. Use alternatives like "spending binge" or "buying frenzy" if the focus is primarily on monetary transactions.

Common error

Avoid using "consumption spree" when describing a single, isolated purchase. The phrase implies a sustained period of increased consumption, not a one-time event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consumption spree" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consumption spree" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a period of heightened spending or resource utilization. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "spending binge" or "buying frenzy" can offer more specific connotations depending on the context. When using "consumption spree", ensure that the situation involves a sustained period of increased activity, not just a single purchase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spending binge

Focuses more specifically on spending money rather than general consumption.

buying frenzy

Emphasizes the hurried and possibly irrational nature of the purchasing.

shopping splurge

Similar to spending binge, but can imply a more enjoyable, less frantic experience.

purchasing surge

A more formal way of indicating a sudden increase in purchases.

acquisitive phase

Indicates a period marked by acquiring things, possibly beyond just buying.

consumer boom

Refers to a broader economic period with increased consumer activity.

spending boom

Focuses on the financial aspect and broader economic trends

excessive consumption

Directly refers to the act of consuming more than needed, but lacks the 'spree' connotation.

rampant consumerism

Implies a widespread societal tendency towards excessive consumption.

orgy of consumption

Highlights the excessive and unrestrained nature of the consumption.

FAQs

How can I use "consumption spree" in a sentence?

You can use "consumption spree" to describe a period of increased spending or consumption, as in: "The holidays often lead to a "consumption spree" as people buy gifts and decorations."

What are some alternatives to "consumption spree"?

Some alternatives include "spending binge", "buying frenzy", or "shopping splurge", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is "consumption spree" a formal or informal term?

"Consumption spree" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "increased consumer spending" might be preferred in academic or business writing.

What is the difference between "consumption spree" and "consumerism"?

"Consumption spree" refers to a specific period of increased consumption, while "consumerism" is a broader term describing the societal emphasis on acquiring goods and services.