unearned increment

noun

the increase in the value of property, especially land, due to natural causes, as growth of population, rather than to any labor or expenditure by the owner.

unearned increment

a rise in the market value of landed property resulting from general economic factors

First recorded in 1870–75

If any one else gets money in this way they call it an unearned increment.

This unearned increment of reputation, compounded annually, is all that keeps some ancient authors alive nowadays.

Apart from the matter of unearned increment, however, he always followed his hunches; but this one he did not like at all.

The "unearned increment" should accrue to the whole community and not to a few landowners.

We had both been working very hard, and it was your unearned increment we spent, and as you're only a loafer it didn't matter.'

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