free quarters
Definition
- Noun (plural)
- Lodging without payment: "free quarters" refers to accommodation provided at no cost, typically as a privilege or benefit (e.g., for military personnel, servants, or guests).
- Board and lodging without charge: The term can also encompass both food and shelter provided free of charge, often as part of a hospitality arrangement.
Usage Examples
- (They received lodging without paying.)
- (He was given a place to live at no cost.)
- (He stayed without paying rent.)
Advanced Usage
"to have free quarters": to be provided with accommodation without payment.
- The visiting scholar had free quarters at the university guesthouse. (The scholar stayed without charge.)
"to grant free quarters": to officially provide free lodging.
- The king granted free quarters to his loyal retainers. (The king gave them free housing as a reward.)
Variants and Related Words
Quarter (n): a place of residence or lodging, especially for military personnel.
- The officer's quarters were comfortable and spacious. (The officer's living space was pleasant.)
Quarterage (n): the provision of quarters or lodging, often in a military context.
- Quarterage was arranged for the new recruits. (Lodging was provided for the new soldiers.)
Synonyms
- Free lodging: accommodation provided without cost.
- Complimentary housing: housing given as a courtesy or benefit.
- Billet: a place where soldiers are lodged, often temporarily and without charge.
Related Idioms
"to be in quarters": to be staying in assigned lodging (often military).
- The troops were in quarters for the night. (They were sleeping in their assigned accommodation.)
"to take up quarters": to settle into a place of lodging.
- The travelers took up quarters at the inn for the winter. (They found a place to stay.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Quarter with: to provide someone with lodging in a specific place.
- The villagers were required to quarter the soldiers with them. (The villagers had to house the soldiers in their homes.)