Total loss (5-3)
I believe the answer is:
write-off
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">total loss</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I know that total loss can be written as write-off)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for write-off that I've seen before include "Cancel, a debt perhaps" , "To destroy irredeemably" , "Send a letter - complete failure" , "Article beyond repair" , "Give up on, recognise as lost like bad debt" .)