drinking spree

USAGE SUMMARY

"drinking spree" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a period of excessive drinking, and it is often used as a criticism. For example: "He went on a week-long drinking spree and ended up in hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

She knows he has probably gone on a drinking spree.

The New Yorker

Where Dylan Thomas stayed during his last drinking spree.

The New York Times

In the end Scott spent a lot of the London 2012 regatta on a drinking spree.

The Guardian - Sport

"I've never been out on a drinking spree but I enjoy a small glass of sherry," she adds.

Independent

Paton: Late one night, we had a little drinking spree and a bunch of us went back to our room so Petey could play our piano.

Princeton University

telegraph.co.uk Blind drunk Denis Duthie was celebrating his parents' 50th wedding anniversary with a four-hour drinking spree when his world suddenly went dark.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

They joke about their onetime drinking sprees and cocaine toots.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps wild nights and drinking sprees are the answer after all.

The Guardian - Sport

President Mbeki's spokesman dismissed the initial reports of the minister's drinking sprees as unworthy of investigation.

The New York Times

Though only two works sold, both of them drawings, the optimistic Zborowski began paying Modigliani a stipend, much of which he blew on drinking sprees with Soutine.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, many of the ticket buyers will be gangs of youths on drinking sprees, a depressingly common hazard already in Prague and an emerging one in Tallinn.Robert Cottrell: central Europe correspondent, The Economist.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drinking spree" to describe a period of excessive alcohol consumption, especially when implying a lack of control or negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "drinking spree" to describe casual or social drinking. The phrase implies a period of heavy, often uncontrolled, alcohol consumption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drinking spree" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence, describing an event or activity. Ludwig's examples show it depicting periods of unrestrained alcohol consumption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

8%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drinking spree" is a noun phrase used to describe a period of excessive alcohol consumption, often implying a lack of control and potential negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for general use. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register. Consider using synonyms like "binge drinking" or "alcohol-fueled bender" for stylistic variation. Avoid using the phrase when describing casual social drinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

binge drinking

Focuses on the act of excessive consumption itself.

alcohol-fueled bender

Emphasizes the role of alcohol as the driving force behind a period of unrestrained behavior.

drunken revelry

Highlights the celebratory and unrestrained nature of the drinking episode.

booze-filled escapade

Suggests a lighthearted yet excessive drinking event.

alcohol-induced rampage

Suggests more destructive and uncontrolled behavior.

intoxicated spree

General term for an extended period of being intoxicated, broader than just alcohol.

excessive drinking

A more clinical and neutral term for the act of drinking too much.

alcoholic binge

Focuses on the pathological aspect of excessive drinking.

pub crawl

Refers specifically to visiting multiple pubs in one outing, often involving drinking.

bender

A slang term for a period of heavy drinking, often implying other excesses.

FAQs

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

You can use "drinking spree" to describe a period of excessive alcohol consumption. For example, "After the victory, the team went on a week-long drinking spree".

What is an alternative to "drinking spree"?

Alternatives to "drinking spree" include "binge drinking", "alcohol-fueled bender", or "drunken revelry".

Is "drinking spree" a formal or informal term?

"Drinking spree" is generally considered an informal term. More formal alternatives might include "excessive alcohol consumption" or "period of alcohol abuse".

What are the implications of using the term "drinking spree"?

Using "drinking spree" often implies a period of uncontrolled and potentially harmful alcohol consumption. It can also suggest a lack of responsibility or negative consequences.