摘要："on the house"的核心语义为费用由商家或机构承担，顾客无需支付，强调商业主体主动提供的免费服务。该短语通过"on"（由...承担）与"house"（代指商家）的隐喻结合，形成"记在店家账上"的固定表达。其语义边界明确：仅适用于商业机构主动免除费用的
"on the house"的核心语义为费用由商家或机构承担，顾客无需支付，强调商业主体主动提供的免费服务。该短语通过"on"（由...承担）与"house"（代指商家）的隐喻结合，形成"记在店家账上"的固定表达。其语义边界明确：仅适用于商业机构主动免除费用的场景，个人请客需用"on me" 。正式文件中建议使用"complimentary"替代，以保持语言规范 。
该短语起源于19世纪美国酒馆文化。当时酒馆推出"买三送一"促销，赠送饮品标注为"on the house"（算在店账上）。禁酒令时期（1919-1933）虽使实体促销式微，但短语保留并扩展至餐饮、零售、公共服务等领域。现代用法中，"house"可指代任何提供服务的机构，如博物馆、航空公司甚至政府部门。
如：
The embassy provided emergency visas on the house for refugees.
使馆为难民免费发放紧急签证。
The airline offered free hotel stays on the house due to flight cancellation.
因航班取消，航空公司免费提供酒店住宿。
The theater offered backstage tours on the house during the cultural festival.
文化节期间剧院免费提供后台参观。
The owner knew about the engagement and brought them champagne on the house.
店主得知顾客订婚，免费送上香槟。
The charity distributed free textbooks on the house to rural schools.
慈善机构向农村学校免费发放教材。
The military base provided free meals on the house for veterans on Memorial Day.
阵亡将士纪念日期间军事基地为退伍军人免费供餐。
Friends often treat each other to drinks on the house at neighborhood bars.
邻里酒吧里朋友间常互相请客。
The UN offered medical supplies on the house to earthquake-stricken areas.
联合国向地震灾区免费提供医疗物资。
The pizza place down the street said the first slice is on the house!
街角披萨店说第一片免费！《老友记》
2021-2025年考试真题解析
1. 2023年高考英语全国卷I
题目：What does "on the house" mean in the context of a restaurant?
A) Paid by the customer
B) Paid by the restaurant
C) Served on the rooftop
D) Cooked at home
答案：B
解析：考查短语基本语义，需结合餐饮场景判断。
2. 2024年大学英语四级考试
题目：Why did the hotel offer free breakfast on the house?
A) To celebrate its anniversary
B) To compensate for a service delay
C) To attract new customers
D) All of the above
答案：D
解析：考查短语在多场景中的灵活应用，需综合促销、补偿等商业逻辑。
3. 2025年雅思口语Part 3
题目：How do businesses benefit from offering services on the house?
参考答案：
Businesses use "on the house" as a marketing strategy to attract customers, build loyalty, and mitigate negative experiences. For example, a restaurant might offer free desserts to apologize for a long wait, turning a dissatisfied customer into a repeat visitor.
（商家通过"on the house"作为营销策略吸引顾客、建立忠诚度并缓解负面体验。例如，餐厅可能通过免费甜品补偿等待时间，将不满顾客转化为回头客。）
来源：翅膀英语一点号
