you don't get something for nothing

== English == === Alternative forms === you can't get something for nothing you don’t get owt for nowt (Northern England) === Proverb === 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. ==== Translations ==== === See also === no pain, no gain the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet there's no such thing as a free lunch you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs you only get what you give