free lunch

noun

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of free lunch

: something one does not have to pay for; also : free ride

Recent Examples of free lunch from the Web

Then there's state rep Litesa Wallace's bill that requires public schools provide a free lunch to any student who requests one.

— ben joravsky, Chicago Reader, "Politics With friends like Republican Jeanne Ives, Illinois women don’t need enemies," 5 June 2018
From June 4 to August 18, the library will offer free lunches to anyone age 18 or younger who is at the library between noon and 1 p.m. on weekdays.

— ginger brashinger, Daily Southtown, "Midlothian library to offer free lunches for all kids," 29 May 2018
There might be no free lunch, as the saying goes, but a bold experiment in Finland has renewed interest in the idea of money for nothing.

— NBC News, "Finland's experiment with giving away money shines a light on the idea of universal basic income," 29 Apr. 2018
Tuscany Restaurants Locations vary Reservations are recommended for veterans to grab a free lunch or dinner at any of the three Tuscany Restaurant locations around Chicago.

— adam lukach, RedEye Chicago, "11 Chicago food and drink deals for service members on Veterans Day," 10 Nov. 2017
In the rolling green hills of southwestern Vermont, Pownal Elementary School keeps classes small, provides free lunch for each of its 230 students no matter a family’s income, and refuses to curtail arts and music programs.

— jennifer levitz, WSJ, "Oversize Classrooms? Not in Vermont," 25 May 2018
The first 50 participants to sign in outside the Nature Center will receive a free Rouge Rescue t-shirt, and all participants will get free lunch. 9 a.m.-noon May 19, Heritage Park, 24915 Farmington. 248-871-2850.

— brendel hightower, Detroit Free Press, "Things to do in metro Detroit for the week of May 13," 15 May 2018
But, to quote the adage, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

— jeanna smialek, Bloomberg.com, "The Pro-Growth Magic of Inflation Anchoring: Eco Research Wrap," 6 Mar. 2018
Every student gets a free lunch and cards to travel on the trolley or buses.

— nick canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Kevin Bradshaw's journey: from USIU stardom to homelessness to high school principal," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'free lunch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of free lunch

1900

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Financial Definition of FREE LUNCH

free lunch

noun

What It Is

Free lunch is a phrase used to describe getting something for nothing.

How It Works

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Why It Matters

There are many things in life that seem to come for free: clean air, elementary school, a good-looking wife for example. Although these things indeed do not come with a blatant financial price or transaction attached at the time of use, we all know that our taxes pay to keep the air clean and operate schools, for example. And of course, nobody gets a good-looking wife without paying for a few dinners and a ring.

Source: Investing Answers