on the house

Idioms  

1. At the expense of the establishment, as in This hotel serves an afternoon tea that's on the house. This idiom uses house in the sense of “an inn, tavern, or other building serving the public.” [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Before the fires, the value of their property had appreciated to $1.2 million, though Ford still owes nearly $500,000 on the house after his father refinanced several times.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

"How much did Santa's sleigh cost? Nothing, it was on the house."

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

He’s hoping to close on the house by Nov. 20, but is also mentally prepared to let the house go if the shutdown persists.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025

"Before long people in this street won't get insurance, because the cost of it is so much - I find it very difficult to afford the insurance on the house," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Every time it thunders we jump as if guards had opened fire on the house.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez