out the window

idiom colloquialism

The phrase "out the window" is an idiomatic expression indicating that something has been discarded, abandoned, or is no longer relevant.

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Definition

B2General

(colloquial, idiomatic)No longer considered or used; discarded.

Example

After the new policy was introduced, our old procedures went out the window.
Once the storm hit, our travel plans went out the window.

B2General

(colloquial, idiomatic)Lost or gone beyond recovery.

Example

When the budget cuts were announced, our hopes for new equipment went out the window.
After losing the key, the chance of opening the door without breaking it went out the window.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "out the window":

see out down the drain out of the picture way out out of sight out of it have out out of on the way out in the wind out of the way on its way out window up straight out throw out out to lunch