English equivalent of "c'est gratuit"
In French, we have an idiomatic expression to say that something was done for no reason. For instance, if a guy passes by and insults or spits on someone in the street for no reason, we would say "c'est gratuit" (literally "it's free"). It means "wow, that was for no reason" or "wow, he didn't ask for it".
I was told Spanish people say "por la cara" (literally "by the face") in this situation.
Is there an idiomatic expression in English to express that?
EDIT: I understand most of the answers, but I feel like there is something missing. I had forgotten it in my question, but when we say that in French, there is also the idea that the poor guy didn't deserve it. He asked for nothing, and this happens. It is not actually for every situation where there is "no reason" to do something.
Solution 1:
You may consider:
Gratuitous
Which is a very good fit to the original French. The definition at dictionary.com includes:
- being without apparent reason, cause, or justification: a gratuitous insult.
Gratuitous keeps the sense of the French and has the exact meaning you require.
Solution 2:
I would say
uncalled-for
From the Merriam-Webster:
(...) being or offered without provocation or justification
Quite literally, gratuit means that nothing "calls" for the insult. Possibly uncalled-for carries a stronger disapprobation, that could be expressed in french by c'est vraiment gratuit, ça.
Solution 3:
We say the same thing:
"for no reason."
You answered it yourself.
Other options:
- unprovoked (or "completely unprovoked")
- uncalled for
- out of the blue
- indefensible
Solution 4:
Consider no rhyme or reason
without any reasonable explanation or purpose
[The Free Dictionary]
TFD also lists without rhyme or reason as being a cliched expression.
In your case,
That guy seems to be insulting each and every passerby on the street without/ for no rhyme or reason.
Update:
If you're looking for a new age, informal, born-and-raised in the Internet term, then I'd suggest for the lulz
Usage:
Why did that dude go on a rage, shooting insults and spitting on other people's faces? Not sure, probably for the lulz!