free lunch
/ˌfriː ˈlʌn(t)ʃ/noun
1Originally and chiefly US. A lunch provided free of charge in a bar, saloon, etc., as a means of attracting customers. Frequently attributive Now historical.
2 Figurative. Something that is (seemingly) free of charge or cost; frequently in phrases implying that everything inevitably involves a cost of some kind, as there is (also ain't) no such thing as a free lunch.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in New York Herald. From free + lunch.
- the light of day
- the light of one's life
- the lights are on, but nobody's (or no one's)home
- the likes of
- the Line
- the line of least resistance
- the line (or path) of least resistance
- the lion's den
- the lion's share
- the Litany
- the little woman
- the Liturgy
- the living image of
- the long and the short of it
- the long (or strong) arm of the law
- the long/short/medium term
- Thelon River
- the Lords
- the Lord's Day
- the Lord's Prayer
- the Lord's Supper
- (the love of) money is the root of all evil
- the love that dare not speak its name
- the Lower House
- the lowest of the low