[Answered] Meaning Sentence

[Dinhtuong]

Could you help me understand this?
"What do I owe you for this coffee?
- It's on the house."

What does "It's on the house mean."
Is it formal or informal in communication?

 

[Tdol]

If something is on the house, the customer doesn't have to pay- it's free. It's a standard phrase.

 

[billmcd]

It means the business ("house") e.g. restaurant, bar, tavern, pub will assume the cost. It is an informal term.

 

[Rover_KE]

Dinhtuong, as your question is about 'It's on the house', that would have been a better thread title.

 

[Tdol]

It is an informal term.

Is it informal? Would a posh restaurant use a different term? In BrE, I think the term could be used in any restaurant to any customer.

 

[Rover_KE]

A posh restaurant would call it complimentary.