what does it mean to write someone off
To write someone off means to decide they’re no longer worth your time, effort, or expectations, often because you think they won’t change or succeed.
In plain English
It can mean:
- You’ve given up on them.
- You see them as a lost cause.
- You’re no longer taking them seriously.
For example: “After the third missed deadline, the team wrote him off.”
Other uses
It can also mean something financial:
- to cancel a debt
- to treat a loss as unrecoverable
- to remove a damaged asset from the books
Similar phrases
- dismiss
- give up on
- count out
- stop investing in
Quick nuance
It’s a stronger phrase than just “ignore.” It usually suggests you’ve decided the person or thing won’t improve or matter much anymore.
If you want, I can also show the difference between write someone off , ignore someone , and cut someone off.