Write Off – Meaning and Examples

Businesses sometimes accept financial losses, and people often dismiss ideas or possibilities. In English, we use the phrase write off to describe these situations. This versatile idiom appears in both financial and everyday conversations.

What Does “Write Off” Mean?

“Write off” has two main meanings. In business, it means to officially record something as a loss or expense. In general use, it means to dismiss something as unimportant or unsuccessful. Think of it like a business accepting that money won’t be repaid, or a person deciding something isn’t worth considering.

When to Use It

Use the financial meaning when discussing business expenses, taxes, or bad debts. Use the dismissal meaning when talking about rejecting ideas, people, or possibilities. Use it in both formal business contexts and casual conversations. The tone can be neutral or negative depending on context.

Example Sentences

The company had to write off the damaged inventory as a loss.
Don’t write off the team yet—they might still win the championship.
You can write off your home office expenses on your taxes.
Many critics wrote off the young artist, but she became very successful.

Mini Dialogue

Accountant: “What should we do about the unpaid invoices from that client who went out of business?”

Manager: “We’ll have to write them off as bad debt on this year’s taxes.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Remember, the meaning changes with context. Be careful to use the appropriate meaning for your situation.

❌ Don’t say: “I need to write off a letter to my friend.” (Use “write” instead).
✅ Do say: “The business decided to write off the old equipment and buy new machines.”

Practice Tip

Think of something you previously dismissed but later reconsidered. Create a sentence like “I initially wrote off [idea/possibility], but then I realized…” For example, “I initially wrote off learning to cook, but then I realized how useful it would be.” This practices the dismissal meaning.

Final Note

You now understand the different meanings of “write off” for financial losses and dismissing possibilities. This practical phrase will help you discuss business decisions and personal judgments accurately. Pay attention to context, and you’ll use this versatile idiom correctly in both professional and everyday conversations!

Know the Ropes – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever started a new job, joined a club, or tried a new hobby—and felt totally lost at first? But after a few weeks, you figured out the routines, the rules, and the shortcuts. In English, we say you now know the ropes! This helpful idiom means you understand how something works—especially the practical…
Have On – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever described what someone is wearing—like “She has a red dress on”—or checked your calendar and said, “I have a meeting on Friday”? In English, the phrase have on covers both ideas! It’s a simple but useful phrasal verb with two main meanings: (1) to be wearing something, and (2) to have something…
Give an Impression – Meaning and Examples

People form opinions about us based on our words, actions, and appearance. In English, we say we give an impression to others through how we present ourselves. This important idiom helps discuss how we communicate without words. What Does “Give an Impression” Mean? “Give an impression” means to create a particular feeling or opinion in…
Fifty-Fifty – Meaning and Examples

When chances are equal, costs are shared equally, or responsibilities are divided down the middle, we need a simple way to express this. In English, we use the term fifty-fifty to describe these perfectly equal situations. This idiom is very common in daily decisions and agreements. What Does “Fifty-Fifty” Mean? “Fifty-fifty” means divided equally into…
As a Matter of Fact – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone assumed something—and you wanted to gently correct them with the truth? Or shared a surprising detail that adds extra weight to your point? In English, you can say, “As a matter of fact…” This clear, slightly formal phrase is perfect for adding emphasis, correcting assumptions, or…
Hold Up – Meaning and Examples

Things don’t always go as planned. Traffic stops moving, people arrive late, or plans get delayed. In English, we often say these things hold up. This common idiom has several meanings you’ll hear in daily conversations. What Does “Hold Up” Mean? “Hold up” has three main meanings. It can mean to delay something or someone….