de balde

for free

de balde(deh bahl-deh)

phrase

1. (with no charge)

a. for free

Te ayudaré de balde. No necesitas devolverme el favor.

I'll help you for free. You don't have to return the favor.

b. for nothing

Voy a tocar en el festival de balde.

I'm going to play at the festival for nothing.

2. (purposelessly)

a. in vain

Vinimos temprano de balde. El museo estaba cerrado.

We came early in vain. The museum was closed.