for nothing
The phrase 'for nothing' can imply receiving something without cost or effort, or doing something without achieving any result.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
A2General
(informal)Receiving something without any cost or payment.
Example
- He gave me the book for nothing.
- The tickets were handed out for nothing.
B1General
(informal)Doing something without achieving any purpose or result.
Example
- I studied all night for the exam, but it was for nothing because the exam got canceled.
- All their efforts were for nothing.
B2Idiomatic
(informal)Obtaining something without giving anything in return, often with a negative connotation.
Example
- She always expects to get something for nothing.
- He was accused of trying to get something for nothing.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "for nothing":
not for nothingfor freefree of chargeapropos of nothingnothing doingin vainfor shitmake nothing ofno use