How to Memorize

hope/plans went out the window

Analysis

If an opportunity, plan, idea, way of thinking, or pattern of behaviour goes 'out the window,' it stops or is lost completely, usually as a result of something negative. For example, if you had spent months planning and preparing to climb a mountain but broke your leg at the very start, then it would no longer be possible to continue with that plan. It would 'go out the window.' The idea behind the informal expression is that if you were to throw something out of a window, like that of a moving car, you would not be able to find the object again. It is common in both a social and professional context, and is similar to the phrase '(go) down the tubes.'

Social Examples (Advance)

1. Once we went 2-0 down in the match, caution went out the window and we began to attack in large numbers.
2. Alex and Tom had a heated argument and both were so angry that all sense of reason went out the window.

Professional Examples (Advance)

1. When our client asked for the order to be completed a week early, all our careful planning went out the window and we were forced to pull out all the stops.
2. I performed badly in my interview, so I thought all hope of getting the promotion had gone out the window. Luckily, I was wrong.

Further Suggestions