out the window Definition

window
noun

1. An opening in a wall to look through, or let in light and air, consisting of a wooden or metal frame fitted with panes of glass; a pane.

Thesaurus: pane, glass, dormer, opening, skylight.
2. The frame itself.
3. The area immediately behind a shop's window, in which goods on sale are displayed.
4. A glass-covered opening, eg at a railway or theatre, at which to purchase one's ticket.
5. A gap in a schedule, etc available for some purpose.
6. A chance to observe or experience something.
7. An opening in the front of an envelope, allowing the address written on the letter inside to be visible.
8. A weather window.
9. A launch window.
10. computing.
An enclosed rectangular area displayed on the VDU of a computer, which can be used as an independent screen.

Idiom: out the window (out of the window)

Finished with or done for; abandoned.

Etymology: 13c: from Norse windauga literally ‘wind eye'.