for free

for free
for free, for real
These two phrases, originally Americanisms, are regularly used informally in BrE, often in a jocular manner in newspaper articles:

• Two pilots have in fact done the job ‘for real’ —both Sqn Ldr Marshall and Flt Lt Dave Fischer have put Harriers down on the deck of HMS Bulwark —RAF News, 1977

• I'd love a research assistant, but you have to pay for them. And most people want me to do things for free! —C. Tickell, 1991

• I think the James Bond themed music encouraged people to relax and gamble in the happy knowledge the money was not for real —Hull Daily Mail, 2002

• The days have gone when you could park for free across the road from the theatre —Birmingham Post, 2007.


Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • for free — {adj. phr.}, {substandard} Without having to pay; free. * /Hey you guys, look at this balloon! They re for free down at the new store./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • for free — {adj. phr.}, {substandard} Without having to pay; free. * /Hey you guys, look at this balloon! They re for free down at the new store./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • for free — adverb without payment I ll give you this gratis • Syn: ↑gratis, ↑free of charge * * * phrasal : at no cost : for nothing : gratis, gratuitous …   Useful english dictionary

  • for free — adverb a) Without paying. We got all our food for free, it was included in the contract. b) Without effort; as a useful side effect of something that was to be done anyway. When they fixed that one bug, we got this new software feature for free.… …   Wiktionary

  • for free — mod. free from monetary charge; gratis. □ And I get all this for free? □ Is all this really mine for free? …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • for\ free — adj. phr. substandard Without having to pay; free. Hey you guys, look at this balloon! they re for free down at the new store …   Словарь американских идиом

  • Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software — Autor Sam Williams Género …   Wikipedia Español

  • for free — free of charge, at no cost …   English contemporary dictionary

  • for free — This is wordy slang, often used by careless speakers who forget that free means for nothing …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • Nobody Rides For Free — For the Blackfoot song of the same name, see After the Reign. Nobody Rides For Free Single by Ratt from the album Point Break Released 1991 Format …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”