Explaining "There is no such thing as a free lunch"

What does it mean?

The phrase "There is no such thing as a free lunch" means that everything has a cost, even if it appears to be free. It suggests that one cannot get something for nothing; there are always hidden costs, trade-offs, or consequences associated with any good or service.

Tone

Origin

The phrase likely originated in the United States during the mid-19th century in saloons, where patrons were offered a "free lunch" when they purchased drinks. The food was typically salty, driving customers to buy more beverages. The economist Milton Friedman later popularized the term in discussions of opportunity cost.