撇 (piě) as a verb means to casually toss or fling something aside, and commonly to abandon or leave behind (work, family, etc.) — often in a somewhat irresponsible way. Unlike 投 (tóu), which implies a deliberate, aimed throw, or 抛 (pāo), a forceful fling, 撇 conveys carelessness. It also refers to the left-falling stroke (丿) in calligraphy.