free lunch

noun

1. food provided without charge in some bars and saloons to attract customers.

2. Informal.,  something given with no expectation of repayment, service, responsibility, etc..

   In politics there's no free lunch—everyone expects favors to be repaid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of free lunch¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

Something acquired without due effort or cost. For example, In politics there is no free lunch; every favor calls for repayment. This expression alludes to the custom of taverns offering food free of charge to induce customers to buy drinks. It was soon extended to other kinds of gift but is often used in a negative way, as in the example. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Each child has so far been provided with 435 free lunches on average, saving families up to £500 a year per child, the mayor said.

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These results highlight that there is no such thing as a free lunch in financial markets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At a Helsinki day centre called "Toivon talo", or "House of Hope", where undocumented non-European migrants can get legal, social and medical help, people chat while enjoying the free lunch served most days.

Read more on Barron's

To the extent investors care only about short-term returns, they therefore think that protecting the largest corporations is a free lunch.

Read more on MarketWatch

The free event will give attendees the opportunity to network with community members, learn more about the work of Indigenous Pride L.A., enjoy a free lunch and voice any concerns about issues facing their communities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times