
There’s no such thing as a free lunch
Hidden Costs
The phrase often suggests there may be unexpected obligations or duties involved when getting something for 'free'.

When they said I won a free vacation, I discovered there's no such thing as a free lunch – I had to attend promotional meetings.
Cynical Expression
This saying is used to express skepticism about freebies, hinting that there's always a catch.

He laughed when I expected free advice, saying there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Not Literal
The phrase is metaphorical; it's not just about food but applies to any situation involving a 'free' offer.

They give free software, but your personal data is the price—there's no such thing as a free lunch.
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