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.