got written off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got written off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been dismissed, disregarded, or considered no longer valid or relevant, often in a financial or academic context. Example: "After several missed deadlines, the project got written off as a failure by the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

As for the Merc, it got written off".

The Guardian - Music

The first game didn't go too well and we got written off, but we shut them up with the next two results".

Independent

"It got written off pretty quickly, but for 'The Last Song' to stick around as long as it did was pretty impressive," said Phil Contrino, editor of BoxOffice.com.com

The New York Times

His homage was goofy (lyrics like "Hot milk / Mmm... tweak my nipple"), and the album got written off as parody, mostly because critics couldn't understand why Beck would want to make it.

The New Yorker

Ormerod, who scored what turned out to be the winner in the 3-2 victory, said: "We got written off at the start of the season but the gaffer has come in and he deserves knighting I tell you.

The Guardian - Sport

In part, the long neglect is attributable to the cold war, when Pakistan was assigned the role of front-line ally against the Soviet Union while India got written off as a friend of the Kremlin.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We are getting written off quite often," said the Scot.

Independent

He said: "It gets written off every year.

Independent

"You really get written off if you don't know Japanese, if you don't know Mongolian.

The New Yorker

The toxic paper will get written off more quickly," he said.

The New York Times

"All IT programmes, let's be honest, always have elements that get written off," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got written off" to convey a sense of being prematurely dismissed or underestimated. It's particularly effective when highlighting resilience or unexpected success after initial doubt.

Common error

While "got written off" is acceptable, it may sound less formal than alternatives like "was dismissed" or "was disregarded", especially in academic or business writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got written off" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject received the action of being dismissed or disregarded. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in scenarios where initial expectations were negative, but outcomes proved different.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got written off" is a passive construction used to describe something being dismissed or disregarded, often prematurely. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and acceptable in English. It is most commonly found in news and sports contexts, indicating a neutral register. While effective for conveying a sense of undervaluation followed by unexpected success, it might be slightly less formal than alternatives like "was dismissed" in academic or business writing. When using this phrase, consider whether a more formal alternative might be more appropriate for the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was dismissed

Focuses on the act of being rejected or disregarded.

was disregarded

Implies a conscious neglect or inattention.

was underestimated

Emphasizes being valued lower than the actual worth.

was rejected

Focuses on a formal refusal or denial.

was discounted

Highlights a lack of importance or consideration.

was counted out

Suggests a premature conclusion of failure or inability.

was brushed aside

Indicates a dismissive and quick rejection.

was discredited

Highlights a loss of credibility or believability.

was nullified

Emphasizes the cancellation or invalidation of something.

was invalidated

Implies a formal declaration of something being void or without effect.

FAQs

What does "got written off" mean?

The phrase "got written off" means something was dismissed, disregarded, or considered no longer important or viable. It often implies an underestimation of potential.

When is it appropriate to use "got written off"?

It's appropriate when discussing situations where something or someone was prematurely dismissed or underestimated. It can be used in contexts ranging from sports to finance.

What can I say instead of "got written off"?

You can use alternatives like "was dismissed", "was underestimated", or "was disregarded" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "got written off" formal or informal?

The phrase "got written off" leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "was dismissed" or "was deemed irrelevant".