【明報專訊】Bill's phone is running out of mobile data. He's seeking free Wifi in the shopping mall. There are terms and conditions that he should have read in detail...

“ Bill: Excuse me. Any free Wifi service here? ”

“ Eason: Yes! You may connect to "E Wifi". No password is needed. ”

“ Bill: You're not our companion! ”

“ Eason: Come on! There's no free lunch! ”

■English highway﹕there's no free lunch

The phrase "there's no (such thing as a) free lunch" is used to say that you should not expect to get something good without having to pay for it or make any effort. It implies that everything involves a cost of some kind.

e.g. Once you're signed up to the free program, you have to pay for all sorts of extra services. There's no free lunch.

The fresh graduate was sensible to refuse the offer of a senior position, because he knew that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

■Quiz

Choose the correct answers.

Bill: This advertisement says I can (1)_______________!

Dr Panda: (2)_________. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

“ Pat: ”You're right. Just like my aunt gave me her oven, but I had to spend money for repair before I could even use it.

(3)__________, after all.

A. There's no free lunch

B. Don't be easily tricked

C. get an expensive watch for free

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

mobile data (n) 流動數據

term (n) 條款

in detail (phr) 詳細地

companion (n) 朋友、伙伴

[Smarties' Power English 第235期]