1.
cancellation, writing off, offsetting
Canceling out a debt, loss, or negative factor. Used both literally (debts) and figuratively (offsetting a disadvantage).
借金を帳消しにした。
The debt was written off.
その一言で努力が帳消しになった。
That one remark negated all the effort.
景色の美しさが長時間の移動の疲れを帳消しにしてくれた。
The beautiful scenery made up for the fatigue of the long journey.
USAGE: Almost always used with にする (to write off, to cancel) or になる (to be canceled, to be negated). Very common in figurative use.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 帳消しにする: to cancel, to write off, to negate
- 帳消しになる: to be canceled out, to be offset
- 借金を帳消しにする: to write off a debt
ETYMOLOGY: From 帳 (account book) + 消し (erasing) — literally erasing something from the ledger.