you can't get something for nothing

A form of you don't get something for nothing — One cannot expect to receive some benefit if one does not pay for it in some way or does not face a counterbalancing hazard or harm.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of you don't get something for nothing.
Cite this entry
APA

you can't get something for nothing. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/you%20can't%20get%20something%20for%20nothing

MLA

“you can't get something for nothing.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/you%20can't%20get%20something%20for%20nothing. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “you can't get something for nothing,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/you%20can't%20get%20something%20for%20nothing.

Source: you can't get something for nothing on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.