expression, godan verb (-su)
blow off steam; forget one's troubles by doing something fun
Used when someone relieves pent-up frustration or gloom through an enjoyable activity such as drinking, singing, or going out.
カラオケで憂さを晴らそう。
Let's blow off some steam at karaoke.
彼は飲みに行って憂さを晴らした。
He went out drinking to forget his troubles.
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
Kana spelling of the first part is common when the kanji 憂 is considered difficult or when a softer tone is desired.
ストレス発散 is a more modern, casual phrase for stress relief, while 憂さを晴らす has a slightly literary or traditional feel and specifically implies dispelling gloom or resentment.
憂さ (gloom, melancholy) + を + 晴らす (to clear away, dispel). The expression literally means 'to clear away gloom' and has been used since the Edo period.