There’s no such thing as a free lunch

Meaning

The idiom "there's no such thing as a free lunch" means that nothing is truly free or without cost, and that there is always some form of compensation or benefit expected in return for something. It suggests that people often try to get something they want without realizing the effort or sacrifice required to achieve it.

Usage

• Sarah was thrilled when her boss offered her a promotion, but she soon realized that taking on more responsibility meant working longer hours and putting up with additional stress. She knew there's no such thing as a free lunch, so she decided to negotiate for more time off or a higher salary.
• John's girlfriend suggested they go out for dinner, but he knew they couldn't afford it on their tight budget. He reminded her that there's no such thing as a free lunch and that they should find cheaper options or cook at home.
• The new employee was excited to start his job, but he quickly realized that the long hours and high pressure meant sacrificing his personal life. He knew better than to expect anything for free; he had to work hard to earn his salary and respect.
• Many people believe that education is free, but in reality, it requires a significant financial investment and time commitment. Students must be prepared to pay tuition or take out loans and study consistently to succeed in their academic pursuits.
• The CEO of the company presented her team with an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii as a reward for exceeding their sales goals. While the team was excited about the opportunity, they knew that there's no such thing as a free lunch and that they had to work hard to meet their targets again in the future.

Roots and History

The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it has been used since at least the 16th century. One popular theory is that it comes from the practice of offering travelers a free meal or drink in exchange for a ride on horseback or a boat. However, these rides often required a significant amount of effort and time, so passengers would have to compensate their hosts in some way, such as by doing manual labor or helping with maintenance. Over time, the idiom has taken on a broader meaning to refer to any situation where there is an expectation of compensation or benefit beyond what is immediately apparent. It has become a common phrase used to caution people against taking shortcuts or expecting anything for free.

Synonyms in English

• "There's no such thing as a free meal"
• "You get what you pay for"
• "Nothing comes easy"
• "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is"
• "Don't put all your eggs in one basket"

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "No hay maíz sin cebolla" (There's no wheat without onion)
• French: "Rien ne vient sans paiement" (Nothing comes without payment)
• Italian: "Il dolce non ha prezzo" (Sweetness has no price)
• German: "Es gibt nichts kostenlos" (There's nothing for free)
• Russian: "Небо не дает ничего бесплатно" (The sky doesn't give anything for free)

Similar Idioms

• in a nutshell

• the brains behind

• the squeaky wheel gets the grease