I had been getting something for nothing.

我没有付出代价就得了手。

youdao

That our wages are calculated as an hourly payment hides the fact that for part of every working day, the boss is actually getting something for nothing.

把我们的工资按小时工资计算，隐藏了这样一个事实：每个工作日的其中一部分，老板实际上是不劳而获的。

youdao

"There's nothing horrible about that," Coleman says. "it's a defense when we feel vulnerable — when someone else is getting status or recognition for something we want."

“这么有什么恐怖的，”Coleman说，“当其他什么人获得地位或者我们想要的认可时，我们会觉得很危险，这就是一种自我保护行为。”

youdao

"There's been too many deals made and too many people see this as getting something for nothing."

VOA: standard.2010.03.25

Then again, getting something for nothing is a concept that MTV should be familiar with.

FORBES: Is MTV Aging Well?

Chamber of Commerce President Rupert Dorey said getting something for nothing was "indefensible".

BBC: Parking

Yet today, many prominent economists insist on pulling off an economic rabbit hat trick when they propose getting something for nothing.

FORBES: Value Destroyers Like Bernanke Fancy Themselves Magician Economists