I had been getting something for nothing.

我没有付出代价就得了手。

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

If I did something bad, I wouldn't blame him for getting angry with me. The point is that I did nothing wrong.

如果我做了坏事，我不会怪他生我的气。可事实是，我没做什么错事呀。

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