jettison

Definitions

From Old French jetteson (a throwing overboard), from jeter (to throw), from Latin jactare (to throw repeatedly, a frequentative of jacere). The -ison suffix comes from Latin -itionem (act of). Jettison preserves the most ancient, literal meaning of the entire ject family: physically throwing things.

Why It Means This

Jettison is the ject family's most literal survivor. In maritime law, jettison means throwing cargo overboard to save a sinking ship — a desperate, calculated sacrifice. The word entered everyday English as a vivid metaphor: jettison a bad habit, jettison an unprofitable division, jettison your plans. The physical drama of cargo splashing into the sea gives the figurative use its emotional weight — you don't casually jettison something; you throw it away because you have to.

Common Collocations

• 1.jettison cargo抛弃货物
• 2.jettison plans放弃计划
• 3.jettison the idea抛弃想法
• 4.forced to jettison被迫丢弃

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The ship had to jettison cargo to stay afloat during the storm.

• 2.

  The company jettisoned its unprofitable divisions to cut costs.

• 3.

  She decided to jettison her old habits and start fresh.

Synonym Comparison