jettison

word

Definition

To throw or drop something away, especially from a moving vehicle like a ship or airplane. It can also mean to get rid of something you no longer need.

Usage & Nuances

'Jettison' is formal and often used in technical, nautical, or business contexts. Commonly seen with 'cargo,' 'plan,' or 'idea.' It's not used for everyday actions—'throw away' or 'get rid of' are more common in daily speech.

Example Sentences

The crew had to jettison some cargo to save the ship.

basic

The pilot decided to jettison the fuel tanks.

basic

Sometimes you need to jettison old ideas to grow.

basic

If the project isn't working, maybe it's time to jettison it and start fresh.

natural

We had to jettison our old marketing strategy during the crisis.

natural

To lighten the load, let's jettison anything we don't need.

natural