Heave ho! Discard and jettison both refer to getting rid of things that we don’t want or need. When it’s not a card game move, discard usually refers to throwing something away, as when a recipe instructs us to remove the stems and discard. Jettison is a strong synonym for discard, especially when describing getting rid of things that have value for the sake of making progress on something. Literally, jettison means to cast cargo overboard in order to lighten the load of a ship (and subsequently an air- or spacecraft): They jettisoned the lunar module to prepare for descent. By extension it also can mean to offload any type of obstacle that is impeding success, including ideas and practices. As a manager, you may have to jettison the notion that you will be able to please everyone.

Promising and auspicious are used to describe a thing or person with qualities that lead us to expect they will turn out favorably. A promising first draft possesses elements that, if developed, will constitute a good paper, and people have high hopes for a promising young man or woman. The optimal time to be promising is, of course, at the start (a vacation off to a promising start). Auspicious start is also common usage, and can be used synonymously. Strictly, however, auspicious means “boding well,” as if foretold by an omen. An auspicious sign bodes well for something or someone. Auspicious is frequently used to describe times: an auspicious occasion, day, or moment. Here it suggests that the outcome of something is lucky, well-timed, or favorable at that time. In usage, the meaning of auspicious varies between "promising" and “favorable for.”

Give and bestow refer to presenting something voluntarily to someone, without expecting anything in return. This is the primary definition of give, which we use with “gift” and “present,” or the specific item given (I’m giving her a bike for her birthday). Bestow is very similar to give in the action it denotes, but it is generally used for intangible or unspecified treasures that can’t be bought, such as blessings, honor, grace, gifts, wealth, title, or authority, which are bestowed on or upon someone, often by someone in a high position–God is frequently the subject of bestow. Bestow is an elevated, formal term which can have a ceremonial feel of past eras, but you will encounter it adding nuance to more ordinary acts (bestowed a kiss on his cheek, bestowed a radiant smile upon her guests).