free lunches
No-cost midday food
Free lunches, always preceded by no or no such thing as, refers to the economic principle that nothing is truly without cost—someone always pays.
The full expression there's no such thing as a free lunch warns against apparent bargains or giveaways: The rebate sounds great, but there are no free lunches.
The phrase originated from 19th-century saloons that offered "free" food to customers who bought drinks.
- no such thingAbsent from reality
- freebiesItems given without charge
- giveawaysItems distributed free
- something for nothingReward without contribution
- complimentaryFree or expressing praise
benefit · hunger relief · gratis · open bar · provision · handout · charity case · welfare state · food security · bread line · gifts · feeding programs · child nutrition · eats · abundance · meal vouchers · nutrition programs · foods
free lunchespremium pricing
Charging above competitors deliberately
full price · market rate · out-of-pocket expenses · user fees · cover charges
free lunchestransparent pricing
Clearly disclosed cost structure
no strings attached · what you see is what you get · known quantities · buyer beware
free luncheszero-sum games
Contests with fixed totals
opportunity costs · tradeoffs · scarcity · cost-benefit analysis · fiscal responsibility
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