collocation · informal
retail therapy
/ˈriːteɪl ˈθerəpi/RE·tail THER·a·py
the activity of shopping because it makes you feel happier when you are unhappy
Examples
“After a bad week at work she indulged in a little retail therapy.”
“Retail therapy can lift your mood but it may harm your budget if overused.”
“I sometimes go for retail therapy when I'm stressed.”
Band 8 sentence
“She admitted to indulging in retail therapy after a stressful term at university.”
Collocations
- indulge in retail therapy
- retail therapy session
Word family
Common mistakes
do shopping→go shopping
retail therapy means therapy→retail therapy means shopping to improve mood
Say it for a higher band
5go shopping→6shop to relax→7+retail therapy
Synonyms
shopping for fun
Easily confused
go shopping
“After the exam she went shopping to relax.”
shopping for fun
“On weekends she often goes shopping for fun.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Shopping & Money
Learn it with its set