there's no such thing as a free lunch en · X
Etymology
In use since the 1930s. Popularized by the American economist Milton Friedman through the title of a 1975 book, and frequently misattributed to him.
Meanings
- Nothing is free; even things that appear free often have to be paid for in the end.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| there is no free lunch | alternative | lexicographic | |
| there ain't no such thing as a free lunch | alternative | lexicographic | |
| there is no such thing as a free lunch | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
free lunch · BNPL · you don't get something for nothing · tragedy of the commons · point of sale · freedom is not free
Synonyms
Translations (25)
ca ningú dóna duros a quatre pessetes (nothing is free; everything has a price) · fr tout a un prix (nothing is free; everything has a price) · ja 只より高いものはない (nothing is free; everything has a price) · pt não existe almoço grátis (nothing is free; everything has a price) · pl nic nie jest za darmo (nothing is free; everything has a price) · cmn 天下沒有免費的午餐 /天下没有免费的午餐 (nothing is free; everything has a price) · de es wird einem nichts geschenkt (nothing is free; everything has a price) · fr on n'a rien sans rien (nothing is free; everything has a price) · hu semmit nem adnak ingyen (nothing is free; everything has a price) · bg няма безплатен обяд (nothing is free; everything has a price) · he אין ארוחות חינם (nothing is free; everything has a price) · uk немає такої речі, як безкоштовний обід (nothing is free; everything has a price) · pt não existe almoço de graça (nothing is free; everything has a price) · hu semmi sincs ingyen (nothing is free; everything has a price) · tr bedava yemek diye bir şey yoktur (nothing is free; everything has a price) · fi ilmaisia lounaita ei ole (nothing is free; everything has a price) · bg няма такова нещо като безплатен обяд (nothing is free; everything has a price) · cs žádný oběd není zadarmo (nothing is free; everything has a price) · sh nema besplatnog ručka (nothing is free; everything has a price) · no ingenting i livet er gratis (nothing is free; everything has a price) · it i soldi non crescono sugli alberi (nothing is free; everything has a price) · de nichts ist umsonst (nothing is free; everything has a price) · cmn 天下沒有白吃的午餐 /天下没有白吃的午餐 (nothing is free; everything has a price) · cmn 世上沒有免費的午餐 /世上没有免费的午餐 (nothing is free; everything has a price) · hu semmit sem adnak ajándékba (nothing is free; everything has a price)