verb
1
BAD : This unpleasant man with his endless complaints destroyed my journey.
GOOD : This unpleasant man with his endless complaints spoilt my journey.
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When you mean 'remove the pleasure or enjoyment from', use spoil or ruin (= spoil completely): 'The trip was spoilt by bad weather.' 'I've spent weeks planning this surprise party for Dad, and now you've ruined it by telling him.'
2
BAD : The water had been much too hot and most of the clothes were destroyed.
GOOD : The water had been much too hot and most of the clothes were ruined.
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When you mean 'make something less attractive, effective or useful', use spoil or ruin (= spoil completely): 'I didn't join them on their walk because I didn't want to spoil my new shoes.' 'If you open the camera, you'll ruin the film.'
3
BAD : The bus wasn't badly damaged, but the car was completely destroyed.
GOOD : The bus wasn't badly damaged, but the car was a write-off.
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A vehicle that cannot be used again after being damaged in a road accident is wrecked or (especially in spoken English) is a write-off : 'I was stupid enough to lend him my car, and now it's a write-off!' 'Wrecked vehicles lay abandoned along the roadside.'