Meaning
To waste money on unnecessary things.
Cultural Background
Norwegians value 'fornuft' (reasonableness). Wasting money is often seen as a moral failing or a sign of being 'høy på pæra' (arrogant). The shared history of social democracy means that wasting public money is a very sensitive topic in the news. While Americans also dislike waste, the culture of consumerism is more forgiving of 'impulse buys' than the traditional Norwegian mindset.
Use 'rett'
Add 'rett' (straight) before 'ut' to sound more like a native speaker when you're really annoyed.
Don't use for people
You throw money out the window, not people. That would be 'defenestration'!
Meaning
To waste money on unnecessary things.
Use 'rett'
Add 'rett' (straight) before 'ut' to sound more like a native speaker when you're really annoyed.
Don't use for people
You throw money out the window, not people. That would be 'defenestration'!
The 'Luksusfellen' Effect
Using this phrase makes you sound like a financial expert or a concerned parent.
Test Yourself
Fyll inn de manglende ordene i idiomet.
Jeg burde ikke ha kjøpt den dyre jakken; det var som å kaste penger ___ ___ ___.
The standard idiom uses 'ut av vinduet'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best til uttrykket?
Når passer det å si 'Du kaster penger ut av vinduet'?
The idiom is used for wasting money on things that provide no benefit.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Jeg vurderer å kjøpe en gammel båt som lekker. B: Ikke gjør det! Det er å kaste ____ ____ ____ ____.
Buying a leaking boat is a classic example of wasting money.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesJeg burde ikke ha kjøpt den dyre jakken; det var som å kaste penger ___ ___ ___.
The standard idiom uses 'ut av vinduet'.
Når passer det å si 'Du kaster penger ut av vinduet'?
The idiom is used for wasting money on things that provide no benefit.
A: Jeg vurderer å kjøpe en gammel båt som lekker. B: Ikke gjør det! Det er å kaste ____ ____ ____ ____.
Buying a leaking boat is a classic example of wasting money.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, for time we say 'å kaste bort tid' or 'å sløse med tiden'.
It can be. It's a direct critique of their choices. Use it with people you know well.
No, in most Norwegian dialects, the 't' in the definite singular of neuter nouns is silent.
There isn't one direct idiom, but 'å investere lurt' (to invest wisely) is the conceptual opposite.
Related Phrases
å sløse bort
synonymTo waste away (money or time).
å fyre for kråka
similarTo waste energy/heat.
å brenne penger
specialized formTo burn money.
å spare på skillingen og la daleren gå
contrastPenny wise, pound foolish.
