guilty pleasure

American  

[gil-tee plezh-er] / ˈgɪl ti ˈplɛʒ ər /

noun

1. an activity, habit, food, etc., that a person feels shame or guilt for enjoying, often because they feel they will be judged by others.

   TV shows meant for teens are a guilty pleasure many adults just can't get enough of.

   Eating healthfully is important, but treating yourself to a guilty pleasure from time to time is definitely not a crime.

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Etymology

Origin of guilty pleasure

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

People eat these shows like candy, and while candy can rot your teeth and put on pounds, it can also deliver a jolt of guilty pleasure and feed a sugar addiction.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years, Hulu and Peacock — the latter of which is the streaming extension of Bravo’s parent company, NBCUniversal — have become ideal destinations for reality lovers over the network that was once synonymous with guilty pleasure reality TV viewing.

From Salon

It is very much a guilty pleasure of mine.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not everyone sees fruity martinis as a guilty pleasure.

From Salon

Professional football is America’s guilty pleasure—and guilty pleasures die hard.

From The Wall Street Journal