for the thrill of it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the thrill of it" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express a desire to do something for excitement or fun, rather than for a practical purpose. Example: "I decided to go bungee jumping for the thrill of it, even though I was scared of heights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's for the thrill of it".

The New York Times - Arts

Others grill for the thrill of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was worth visiting just for the thrill of it.

The New York Times

"He would try everything just for the thrill of it.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes, just for the thrill of it, they even play from the tips, the farthest tees.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's why I play, for the thrill of it, the chance," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Author Robert Jungk recounted in his book Brighter than a Thousand Suns: A Personal History of the Atomic Scientists, the first published account of the Manhattan Project, that Slotin "had volunteered for service in the Spanish Civil War, more for the sake of the thrill of it than on political grounds.

Wikipedia

Gelbart re-teamed with Carl Reiner for the screenplay The Thrill of it All (1963), a satire on advertising starring Doris Day and James Garner.

Independent

"It's something I've enjoyed for ages – I love the thrill of it, and I love how it makes me feel," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Somewhere inside of me secretly I had hoped that it would go seven games for the excitement and the thrill of it," Yost said.

Los Angeles Times

But he'll do it anyway for the thrill of taking it to the limit.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the thrill of it" to explain motivations driven by excitement or enjoyment, especially when other rationales are absent.

Common error

Avoid using "for the thrill of it" in contexts requiring serious or professional justifications. It can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the thrill of it" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by providing the reason or motive for an action. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and provides real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for the thrill of it" is a common and generally informal way to express that an action is performed purely for excitement or enjoyment, rather than a practical purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal or professional settings where a more serious or reasoned justification is expected. Related phrases like "for the excitement of it" or "for the fun of it" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the excitement of it

Replaces "thrill" with a direct synonym, focusing on the exciting aspect.

for the adventure of it

Emphasizes the adventurous and exploratory nature of the action.

for the fun of it

Highlights the enjoyment and amusement derived from the activity.

just because it's exciting

Explains the reason as purely due to the excitement it provides.

for the adrenaline rush

Focuses specifically on the physiological excitement and rush of adrenaline.

for the experience

Highlights that the motivation is the experience and exposure derived from the activity and is slightly more neutral.

because it's exhilarating

Provides a reason based on the exhilarating or intensely joyful nature of the activity.

out of sheer excitement

Focuses on the spontaneity and pure excitement driving the action.

as a source of excitement

Positions the activity as a provider or origin of excitement.

to get a kick out of it

Indicates that the purpose of the activity is to produce a pleasing emotion and/or sensation.

FAQs

How can I use "for the thrill of it" in a sentence?

You can use "for the thrill of it" to describe actions done purely for excitement or enjoyment, such as "I went skydiving "for the thrill of it".".

What are some alternatives to "for the thrill of it"?

Alternatives include "for the excitement of it", "for the fun of it", or "just because it's exciting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "for the thrill of it" formal or informal?

"For the thrill of it" is generally considered informal and is best used in casual conversation or less formal writing. Avoid using it in professional or academic contexts where more serious justification is expected.

When is it appropriate to use "for the thrill of it"?

It is appropriate to use "for the thrill of it" when describing actions motivated by excitement or a desire for enjoyment, rather than practical reasons. For example, someone might climb a mountain "for the adventure of it" or play a risky game "for the adrenaline rush".