jettison

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'jettison' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of getting rid of something or someone either willingly or unwillingly. For example: "The company was forced to jettison a number of employees in order to stay afloat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More recently, the company was forced to jettison its relationship with Lance Armstrong following the cyclist's spectacular fall from grace.

The Guardian - Sport

The festival schedules so many screenings that it is all but impossible to see every film from the main competition unless you jettison everything else (interviews, special events, filing copy, the films in sidebar competitions, sleeping).

The Guardian - Film

Now, as the day of reckoning approaches, he will have to decide whether to placate foreign lenders by agreeing to the terms of another rescue programme – conditions that though painful will keep Greece in the single currency – or jettison the hardliners in his own party.

The Guardian

To jettison a second in the shape of Steffon Armitage, albeit in very different circumstances, would seem more than a little careless.

The Guardian - Sport

(One of the major figures who urged him to listen to the mining and business lobby and jettison that promise was the deputy who would later depose him).

The Guardian

The betting this week was on which of his own notoriously disloyal colleagues the prime minister would jettison in order to make way for half-a-dozen Labour people around the cabinet table.

The Economist

Also inland, copper and gold mines jettison their tailings into the river systems, for which compensation is paid to the poor communities along the riverbanks.People lived in splendid isolation in the highlands until missionaries, miners and kiaps (colonial officials) arrived in the 1920s and 1930s.

The Economist

Expect stricter immigration rules, and possibly a tougher Dutch policy towards Turkey's EU bid.Mr Wilders may be forced to jettison some of the more discriminatory elements of his platform such as banning the Koran or placing the battle against Islam at the heart of Dutch foreign policy.

The Economist

But if Microsoft can successfully move its applications on to the.NET platform, it can afford to jettison Windows.

The Economist

And he alone has shown that he has come to terms with New Labour that he knows which parts of it voters like and which to jettison.

The Economist

Firms typically provide the main pensions of staff they jettison, as well as lump-sum severance packages.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jettison" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate or necessary removal of something, often to lighten a load or eliminate a problem.

Common error

While "jettison" is a valid word, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "discard" or "get rid of" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "jettison" primarily functions as a transitive verb, indicating the action of deliberately casting something overboard or discarding something unwanted. Ludwig provides several examples of its use in news and media, showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "jettison" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term signifying the act of discarding or eliminating something, often with a sense of urgency or strategic intent. As per Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, most prominently in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific writing. While "jettison" is acceptable for use, it is best suited for formal or neutral registers and should be replaced with simpler alternatives like "discard" or "get rid of" in informal scenarios. Ludwig's examples highlight the versatility of this word, showcasing its application in situations ranging from corporate restructuring to political maneuvering. Related phrases include "abandon", "eliminate", and "dump", each carrying nuanced implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discard

Emphasizes a deliberate removal or rejection.

abandon

Suggests leaving something behind completely and permanently.

eliminate

Focuses on completely removing or getting rid of something.

get rid of

A more informal way of saying "jettison".

dump

Implies discarding something carelessly or in a hurry.

scrap

Suggests discarding something because it is no longer useful or valuable.

write off

Indicates something is recognized as a loss and is being removed from consideration.

release

Focuses on letting something go, often to alleviate a burden.

drop

A simple way of indicating the act of letting something fall or be removed.

repudiate

Suggests rejecting or disowning something, often a belief or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "jettison" in a sentence?

You can use "jettison" to describe the act of discarding something, often to lighten a load or eliminate a problem. For instance, "The company decided to "jettison its unprofitable ventures" to focus on core business areas."

What are some alternatives to "jettison"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "discard", "abandon", or "eliminate".

Is it appropriate to use "jettison" in formal writing?

Yes, "jettison" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing the deliberate removal of something for a specific purpose.

What's the difference between "jettison" and "discard"?

"Jettison" often implies a more forceful or necessary act of removal, while "discard" is a more general term for getting rid of something. "Jettison" may also carry a sense of emergency or urgency.