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!