Definition

Noun: * Something acquired without effort, payment, or obligation: The phrase "free lunch" literally refers to a meal provided at no cost. Figuratively, it represents any perceived benefit, gain, or advantage that is obtained without the recipient having to pay for it, work for it, or bear any associated burden or consequence. The term is most famously used in the economic adage, "There's no such thing as a free lunch," which asserts that everything of value has a cost that must be borne by someone, even if it is not immediately apparent to the beneficiary.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The government subsidy was presented as a free lunch for farmers, but taxpayers ultimately bore the cost.
  • He thought the investment scheme was a free lunch, offering high returns with zero risk.
  • The politician's promise of lower taxes and increased spending sounded like a free lunch to skeptical economists.

Advanced Usage

• "There's no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAAFL)": This is a proverbial phrase emphasizing that it is impossible to get something for nothing. Any apparent gift or benefit has hidden or indirect costs.
  • The app is free to download, but remember: there's no such thing as a free lunch. You pay with your personal data.

Variants and Related Words

• Freebie (n): A thing that is provided or given free of charge. (This is a more casual, less proverbial term for a tangible free item).
  • The company gave out pens and notebooks as freebies at the conference.

Synonyms

• Something for nothing
• Windfall (though this implies an unexpected gain, not necessarily one without cost)
• Gratuity (a more formal term for a gift, often for service)

Related Idioms

• "There's no such thing as a free lunch": As detailed above, this is the core idiom containing the term.
  • You can borrow my car, but you have to fill the tank. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Noun

1. something acquired without effort or payment or obligation
   • there is no free lunch in politics or Hollywood