write off
To decide that something is ruined, worthless, or not worth caring about anymore.
Meanings
To dismiss someone or something as a failure, hopeless, or not worth any further attention.
"Don't write her off — she's had a slow start but she's very talented."
"Never write off a Tory government's ability to be cruel."
— The Guardian, 2023
To officially cancel a debt and accept it will not be repaid, or to record a financial loss in accounts.
"The bank wrote off millions in bad loans after the financial crisis."
(British English) To damage a vehicle so badly that the cost of repair exceeds its value; to total a car.
"He walked away from the accident unhurt, but the car was completely written off."
To deduct a business expense from taxable income.
"You can write off your home office expenses if you work from home."
Very common in business (accounting write-offs, tax write-offs) and informal speech (dismissing someone as hopeless). In British English, also commonly used for a vehicle that is damaged beyond repair. The phrase 'write-off' as a noun is very frequent.
Commonly used with
Forms
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