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write-off
[rahyt-awf, -of]
noun
a cancellation from the accounts as a loss.
an uncollectable account.
a reduction in book value; depreciation.
Informal.a person or thing that is given up as hopeless or pointless.
Joe's college career is a write-off.
write off
verb
accounting
to cancel (a bad debt or obsolete asset) from the accounts
to consider (a transaction, etc) as a loss or set off (a loss) against revenues
to depreciate (an asset) by periodic charges
to charge (a specified amount) against gross profits as depreciation of an asset
to cause or acknowledge the complete loss of
to send a written order for (something)
she wrote off for a brochure
informalto damage (something, esp a car) beyond repair
noun
accounting
the act of cancelling a bad debt or obsolete asset from the accounts
the bad debt or obsolete asset cancelled
the amount cancelled against gross profits, corresponding to the book value of the bad debt or obsolete asset
informalsomething damaged beyond repair, esp a car
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of write-off1
Idioms and Phrases
Reduce an asset's book value to zero because it is worthless, as in The truck was wrecked completely, so we can write it off . [Late 1600s]
Cancel from an account as a loss, as in Since they'll never be able to pay back what they owe, let's just write off that debt . [Late 1800s] Also see charge off , def. 2.
Regard as a failure or worthless, as in There was nothing to do but write off the first day of our trip because of the bad weather , or She resented their tendency to write her off as a mere housewife . [Late 1800s]
Amortize, as in We can write off the new computer network in two years or less . Also see charge off , def. 2.
Example Sentences
The hard work of hundreds of people, a mere tax write-off under the mighty pen of Warner Bros.
E.On has also agreed to write-off debt held by almost 150,000 prepayment customers who cancelled their accounts over the same period.
“We needs a tax code that honors the trades,” she said, allowing write-offs for the kinds of equipment used by loggers, plumbers and electricians.
The family's car, which Aneeqa said is now a "write-off", was then targeted, with people jumping on the windscreen and roof.
She told the Today programme that they had tried to break into her house and destroyed the family car, which "had to be a write-off".
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