on the house

on the house — idiom

1. given free to a customer by the business — usually a bar, restaurant, or hotel —

1.慣用語B1
釋義

given free to a customer by the business — usually a bar, restaurant, or hotel — often as a kind gesture or to say sorry for a mistake

例句

The bartender gave Emiko a round of drinks on the house.

something on the house: drinks given free by staff

After the long delay, the manager offered us dessert on the house.

同義詞
  • complimentary

    more formal; common in hotels and on menus (e.g. 'complimentary breakfast')

  • free of charge

    neutral and broader — covers any situation where no payment is needed, not only hospitality

文法句型

be on the house

something on the house

用法筆記

Only used when a business gives something free to a customer — not for gifts between friends or free items from a shop promotion.

常見錯誤

❌My friend gave me a coffee on the house.
✅My friend treated me to a coffee.
💡'on the house' only works when the business itself gives the free item, not when another person pays for you.