What does it mean?

Where can you hear the expression “It’s on the house”?

Imagine: you are in the restaurant with a pretty girl. The restaurant keeper knows you as a regular visitor. He does not want to miss a chance to compliment you and your friend.

So, you are in the middle of a great dinner. Suddenly a waiter brings to the table the dish you have not ordered. Why? You and your partner look at the waiter in surprise. But he just says: It’s on the house.

Here is the example how it may look like in a real life.

This is what the expression sounds like in the movie Spider-Man: No Way Home, 2021

Why do waiters use this English phrase?

When the man says “It’s on the house” it means that the restaurant pays for the dish. In the movie, the waiter liked the woman and made the dish free for her.

Now if you drop by some cafe and hear “It’s on the house”, do not be surprised. You are the lucky one to get a free dinner. Maybe the waiter liked you, too. Or maybe there is a promotion.

By the way, if you want to know how to cut and save some episode of your favourite movie, use the guide Editing a video for an English lesson.

Good luck and drink 5 o’clock tea hot!