Expecting free lunch, I bet! (2,3,4)

I believe the answer is:

in the club

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But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?

(Other definitions for in the club that I've seen before include "Possibly accepted" , "putting on weight?" , "Expecting" , "not to have been blackballed?" , "Pregnant (slang)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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